Saskia Tomkins (she/her) is a master musician of violin, viola, cello and Nyckelharpa, an educator, and a composer. UK born, she is classically trained with a folk background and a B.A.hons. in Music (Jazz). She is an All-Britain Champion Irish Fiddler, and in 2022 received an award for services to Irish Music in Canada. Saskia was the official Artist in Residence in 2022 with Folk Alliance International, and is currently Artist in Residence with British-based organization The Mixed Museum, which works to preserve and share the social history of racial mixing in Britain of Black and ethnic minorities for future generations.

Over the years, Saskia has worked with many musicians, including: The Chieftains, Sultans of String, Jabbour, Uriah Heep, Ken Whiteley, Jimmy Bowskill, Ron Korb, David Newland, Donald Quan, Lotus Wight, her husband Steáfán Hannigan and son Oisín Hannigan, and numerous other musicians, actors and dancers.

Her theatre work includes spending two years with Steafan, working closely with the composer and music director of the Broadway hit “Come From Away” David Hein, as a special consultant, to ensure the Celtic roots and traditions were communicated in an authentic way through the score. She has also worked with The English Shakespeare Company and Michael Bogdanov, 4th Line Theatre in Ontario, and Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London UK.

Saskia’s current personal projects include Steáfán & Saskia, MEDUSA (nominated for a CFMA award), 2ish, Cáirdeas, and Marsala and the Imports. She frequently performs and tours with the JUNO-award-winning band Sultans of String. Saskia is principal 2nd violin for Quinte Symphony, and is in demand as an educator, including at Upbeat! Downtown Peterborough (an El Sistema programme), and music camps across Canada.

Find out more about Saskia at https://linktr.ee/Saskia_tomkins