Hazel Askew is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer and Teacher from London, creating music inspired by the folk traditions of England and beyond.

Hazel Askew

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An experienced folk music educator, Hazel is passionate about sharing folk music with people of all ages and abilities. As a singing and instrumental teacher/workshop leader she is always adapting herself to the different ways people learn and pushing herself to develop new methods of teaching musical skills. Hazel also believes it’s important to share the stories and culture that are part of folk music, and her enthusiasm and love for these traditions always shines through. Most importantly, she believes that the learning and exploring of music should be an enjoyable and inspiring experience.


Singing

Hazel loves singing with big groups of people and encouraging people to explore their voices in a welcoming environment. For almost a decade she has led the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS)’s song course at their Saturday Folk Music School and regularly leads their Monday Folk Choir. She has also led song workshops and courses for organisations including BBC Proms, Dartington Summer School, Benslow Music, Morley College, Soundpost Music, Halsway Manor and various festivals across the country. Hazel also frequently leads harmony singing weekend courses with Lady Maisery and has worked as a vocal recital assessor for the Folk & Traditional Music degree at Newcastle University.


Melodeon

Hazel is one of the country’s leading melodeon players and is one of the most experienced melodeon teachers in the UK. She developed the melodeon courses for EFDSS’s Saturday Folk Music School, which she still leds and has run courses/workshops for many organisations including FolkWorks at The Sage Gateshead, Melodeons & More, Halsway Manor, Adderbury Music Weekends and various festivals across the country. Hazel also teaches freelance workshops and one to one lessons, and has even taught long-distance over Skype!


Schools

Hazel is an inspiring schools’ workshop leader and often works with young people. She regularly leads workshops at both primary and secondary level for EFDSS and led one of their groundbreaking education projects celebrating the release of The Full English online archive of folk songs (nominated for Best Musical Initiative Award at the 2015 Music Teacher Awards for Excellence). She has also written many education resources for EFDSS and has led a number of their Get Your Folk On youth summer schools. She has also led young people’s workshops and courses for many other organisations including Barbican Creative Learning, Aldeburgh Young Musicians, Shakespeare’s Globe, Ark Schools, and Exeter School’s Choir Festival.

"Hazel worked with Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning to design and lead an interactive performance to introduce primary school children to Alan Lomax's archive of folk, blues and gospel music. She responded impressively to the brief, contributing her strong creative ideas and knowledge of folk song to the project, and working openly and collaboratively with musicians from different genres. During the performances, Hazel showed that she is a natural educator who is engaging and responsive and has a clear passion for sharing folk traditions with young people." Sarah Jones, Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning

For more information about Hazel's education work or to enquire about possible workshops/lessons, please use the form on the contact page

Photo: Camilla Greenwell for Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning.

Hazel is a natural educator who is engaging and responsive and has a clear passion for sharing folk traditions."
Sarah Jones, Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning