The story behind Hannah Beer’s fiddle playing is as vibrant as the tunes she plays and the persistence that she personifies. From her reluctant beginnings with the violin to embracing the fiddle with a fiery passion, Beer’s’s journey is a testament to perseverance and the transformative power of music.

“My roots are mostly Scottish,” she shares via email from her home in Invercargill, New Zealand, which she describes “as a great place to live if you can tolerate the cold!”

And while her early environment may have been chilly, her warmth is as apparent as her enduring dedication to her craft.

Interestingly, Beer’s introduction to music wasn’t exactly love at first sight. “I started learning classical violin when I was 11 years old because my mum put me into lessons. I hated it and wanted to quit because I really wanted to learn the cello, but my mum said it was too expensive.”

Her resistance shifted a year later when she stumbled upon Mairead Nesbitt, a fiddler whose performances with Irish supergroup with Celtic Woman are world-renowned. “She danced around the stage while she played, and I was just so inspired!” Studying Mairead’s videos sparked a newfound motivation and Beer began practicing diligently, even donning dresses and running barefoot across her lawn. “My poor family must have got so sick hearing the same tune over and over again!”

In her third year of classical violin studies, Beer met Marian Burns, transitioned to fiddling, and began exploring a range of styles.

“I discovered the world of Canadian fiddling and took online lessons from world-class players. I also started teaching my own students and doing heaps of performances.”

Although her perseverance paid off, it also led to health concerns. “The hardest thing for me has been dealing with burnout” she reveals. After a traumatic event at age 15, Beer threw herself into music as a coping mechanism. “Unfortunately, this caused me to burn out repeatedly, and I learned that simply ignoring your problems doesn’t make them go away.”

Her struggles culminated in hospitalization, forcing her to pause and focus on recovery.

“I learned the hard way that a work-life balance is very important and that no one is invincible,” she reflects. Perfectionism has also been a persistent challenge. “I would beat myself up over every little mistake, feeling I needed to be the perfect performer and teacher.”

Sharing her talents with others helped the young fiddler to triumph over her troubles.

“Teaching others how to play the fiddle properly and seeing them progress is extremely rewarding…”

Other career highlights include competing in the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards, performing with Marian Burns. and attending fiddle camps like ScotStringNZ. She has embraced each opportunity for personal growth with a continuous commitment to her craft. “Recording my single, playing in beautiful locations like Cathedral Cove, and teaching my fiddle ensemble are moments I will always cherish.”

Collaborating with other musicians has also been fulfilling. “I loved performing as a duo with Sacha McLeish – we call ourselves The String Faeries.”

As a player defined by passion and persistence, Beer encourages young musicians not to give up, especially in the early stages. “The first year will likely be really hard, but with practice, it gets easier. Make sure you listen to fiddle music – it helps a lot. And for adults thinking about learning the fiddle, remember that it is never too late to start.”

Her experience bears this out. “I started with terrible technique, playing both out of tune and out of time – practice hasn’t made me perfect, but I have made a lot of progress.”

For 2025, Beer’s focus remains on balancing the basics. “This year, I don’t have too much on the musical agenda as I am mostly focusing on my health.” However, she does have plans to enter a busking competition, create a short fiddle course, and continue to share her music with her social media fans and followers.

“I have a long way to go with my fiddle playing, but I have also come a long way. I hope my music inspires others to learn and find joy,”

@hannahbeerfiddler