Wesley Hardisty, Guest Musician
Wesley Hardisty is Dene First Nation from Tulita and Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ (Fort Simpson) Northwest Territories. Wesley is a vibrant fiddle player, composer, and collaborator who started playing the fiddle at age 12.
Notable performances include: the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, the Inuvik 2011 Truth and Reconciliation Commission National event, and the National Arts Centre events Canada Scene and Northern Scene. His album 12:12 won the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award in 2012.
Wesley is an instructor for the Kole Crook Fiddle Association. As a student through the program, he performed for William and Kate in Yellowknife on their 2011 Royal Tour of Canada. He attended the Gulf Island School of Performing Arts and was formally in the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre Mentorship Program, mentored by acclaimed violinist/producer/composer Jesse Zubot.
This mentorship led to a contribution to Jesse’s music score for the Bones of Crows TV Series, nominated for 12 Canadian Screen Awards. Wesley’s contributions with Carmen Braden and the Canadian Chamber Choir led to a nomination for a JUNO award Classical Album of the Year, for their album Where Waters Meet. Wesley is a highly sought-after musician, collaborator, and commissioned for many projects with fiddle players, classical ensembles, and singer-songwriters.
He mentors in mentorship programs and provides valuable feedback to up and coming musicians. Wesley stays involved in the not-for-profit sector by serving on the Board of Directors as the Vice President of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre, taking part in the Atti! Indigenous Artists Collective Committee and Salt Spring Island Foundation Committee. Since 2023, he has been involved with V’ni Dansi workshops and performances, which aims to educate both the aspects of Métis history and culture in schools and communities. He is also an ambassador for the Downie-Wenjack Fund.
