Theresa Mountain
Helen Izod
Claire King
Ian King
For more photos of KINGS & FOLK go to the PHOTOS gallery
Kings & Folk are Ian and Claire King (piano and fiddle), Theresa Mountain (fiddle) and Helen Izod (flute/whistle/vocals). These four Worcestershire performers and music teachers are all trained classical musicians who love folk music. They are often joined by James and David King on djembe drum and piano. With an Oxford music graduate and a Scottish fiddler with Irish roots in the band, their style of music is an original and exciting blend of Folk and Classical. They play striking modern arrangements of traditional tunes from Scotland, Ireland, England and Eastern Europe, along with Ian’s beautiful compositions.
You can hear tracks by Kings & Folk on Myspace - use the link at top of page.
"Wonderfully inspirational music, a great blend of fiery excitement and meditative reflection. Ian King's music is a great mix of classical and folk genres and is both innovative and exciting."
Chris Jaeger, Director of Worcester Live
"A truly outstanding group of musicians creating a spellbinding texture of piano, fiddle & flute. Ian’s modern arrangements of traditional songs sit perfectly alongside his own carefully crafted compositions. Certainly an ensemble that warrants much wider attention."
Philip Butler, Sawmill Steelmill Records
You can hear tracks by Kings & Folk on Myspace - use the link at top of page.
"Wonderfully inspirational music, a great blend of fiery excitement and meditative reflection. Ian King's music is a great mix of classical and folk genres and is both innovative and exciting."
Chris Jaeger, Director of Worcester Live
"A truly outstanding group of musicians creating a spellbinding texture of piano, fiddle & flute. Ian’s modern arrangements of traditional songs sit perfectly alongside his own carefully crafted compositions. Certainly an ensemble that warrants much wider attention."
Philip Butler, Sawmill Steelmill Records
Claire King (Violin) comes from Lochwinnoch in Scotland and grew up playing traditional Scottish and Irish fiddle music with her family, the McDonalds. Although she was classically trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, her heart has always been in folk music. She has an MA from Glasgow University and teaches violin and piano, especially folk fiddle, in Worcestershire. She also plays with the Ringerike Ceiledh Band for weddings and special occasions.
Ian King (Piano) arranges the traditional tunes and writes a variety of instrumentals and songs for Kings & Folk. Ian was born in Hereford and was a chorister at Hereford Cathedral. He has a 1st Class B.A. in Music from Oxford University. Ian’s love of folk music has grown since being married to Claire, and much of his music is written for her on the fiddle. He teaches piano at Worcester 6th Form College and elsewhere and also collaborates with different musicians on a variety of performing and recording projects.
Theresa Mountain (Violin) is a classically trained violinist who loves many genres. After more than a decade as a solicitor, she escaped the rigours of the legal profession by taking a Certificate in Music Teaching at Goldsmiths College, London. There she was introduced to folk, jazz, rhythm & blues. On moving to Otley, West Yorkshire in the 1990s, she played for four years with a folk/rhythm & blues band. Theresa now lives and teaches violin in Worcestershire and enjoys playing with several groups, both classical and folk, as well as with her three children, who play trumpet, cello, piano and flute.
Helen Izod (Flute/whistle/vocals) comes from Worcester. Her love of Scottish music began when was 5, doing Scottish country dancing with her mother, who came from Ayrshire. Helen studied music at Leeds University, singing in a madrigal choir and a jazz group and playing flute and piano. She sang with the talented Worcester-based vocal group Colla Voce from 2002 - 2006. She is now a music teacher at Droitwich Spa High School and lives in the village of Bishampton with her husband and baby daughter.
James King (Djembe drum) adds vitality and energy to Kings and Folk with his contributions on the djembe drum. He is studying for a degree in Music Technology at Worcester Technical College. Both James and David love using iMac computers and technology in their musical activities, which include being DJs for parties. James enjoys recording bands, particularly heavy metal, and also plays electric guitar.
David King (Piano and djembe drum) was Head Boy at Bishop Perowne College in Worcester, before moving on to Worcester 6th Form College, where he is studying for his A Levels. He loves jazz piano and has performed several times on the ‘Best of Young Jazz’ stage at Upton Jazz Festival. He has also performed with his parents in Worcester Cathedral and Huntingdon Hall, including the Three Choirs Festival in 2011.
David King (Piano and djembe drum) was Head Boy at Bishop Perowne College in Worcester, before moving on to Worcester 6th Form College, where he is studying for his A Levels. He loves jazz piano and has performed several times on the ‘Best of Young Jazz’ stage at Upton Jazz Festival. He has also performed with his parents in Worcester Cathedral and Huntingdon Hall, including the Three Choirs Festival in 2011.
Colette Todd (Vocals) was the vocalist for Kings & Folk, before moving to Australia in September 2011. A former lead singer in world tours of ‘Riverdance’ and also ‘Lord of the Dance’, she is now living in Sydney. We look forward to performing with her again in the future.