"Katisha is a fabulous musician gifted in audible storytelling … I was moved to tears"
- Nicky
Fun Facts
Things I Love
Chocolate, cheese and eating peanut butter straight out of the jar
Watching the sunset from the top of Castle Hill in Townsville
A unique interpretation of something mundane
Cuddles with my nieces and nephews
Going for a run (sometimes …)
Ticking things off my to-do list
Picnics
Things I Hate
Waking up in the middle of the night with a song stuck in my head
Unexplained error messages on computers or tech
Cold food (when it’s supposed to be hot!)
Inefficiency and “busy work”
Feeling like I’ve failed
Doing push-ups
Sticky fingers
Violinist, composer, singer and live looping artist Katisha Adelaide has performed in countries across the globe and thrives on the non-traditional. She has presented the violin as a compelling and relevant instrument both in Australia and internationally. Described by journalist Maria Girigenti as having a “fresh new musical direction” and performing a “concert like no other”, Katisha presents a broad range of musical styles and experiences.
Born and bred in Far North Queensland, Katisha grew up as the oldest child in a family of amateur creatives. Throughout her childhood, she was involved in a variety of creative disciplines including dance, art, instrumental music, vocal lessons and dramatic theatre. Katisha competed in local esteidfords, performed with the Innisfail Theatre Company and took private piano, drama and singing lessons. At the age of sixteen, she fulfilled her dream of purchasing a violin and shortly thereafter started taking casual violin lessons. A move to Townsville the following year facilitated the opportunity for Katisha to start studying with Polish violinist Hanya Kaminska and to undertake her first violin examination which she passed with Distinction.
At the age of nineteen, Katisha moved to Sweden to study violin at Framnäs Folkhögskola in Piteå. During the subsequent two years she became a founding member of the Thursday Orchestra and played first violin for Norrbotten Youth Orchestra with whom she toured Latvia in 2013. She studied with sought after concert violinist Christian Svarfvar and was awarded the Sigurd Wargert Scholarship upon the completion of her course.
Katisha feels a strong connection to her home country and returned to Australia in 2015 to undertake Bachelor of Music studies at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. She graduated in 2019 having studied with violinist Margaret Connolly (Queensland Symphony Orchestra) and undertaken a number of projects with the Conservatorium Orchestra. Highlights included performing the national anthem at The Gabba stadium for the 2017 Ashes Cricket test match and playing in the world premier of composer Paul Dean’s newest opera. In 2017 and 2018, Katisha appeared in the Royal Queensland Show Ekka Nites Main Arena Event as part of the Rooftop Express Show’s nightly feature.
During this time, Katisha undertook a year of study through Youth With A Mission (YWAM) focused on community work, discipleship and musical outreach. Alongside other musicians, she spent time in Kenya, Uganda, Manila and Bangkok sharing music in cafes, prisons, market places, street corners and the iconic Quezon City Memorial Circle in the Philippines. During this time, Katisha was challenged to “think outside the box” and started experimenting with live looping technology, special effects and a more contemporary musical practice.
Since graduating from her degree in 2019, Katisha has embraced a unique and creative approach to the violin. Building on her solid technical foundation, she is passionate about breaking the stereotype of boring violin-playing. Her unique combination of live-looped violin playing, captivating vocals and extended techniques makes Katisha one-of-a-kind and has not been replicated anywhere else in the world. She strives to remain on the forefront of violin innovation and continues to work with a number of pioneering violinists including Tracey Silverman, Karin Griffin and Rob Flax.
Katisha released and toured her debut EP Kaleidoscope in 2018 and in 2021 her first full album Home Is Not So Far was released.
In 2024, Katisha successfully auditioned for a position as vocalist with the Australian Defence Force Army Band Corps. She regularly performs with a variety of band configurations and specialises in a number of different musical genres including rock, R&B, jazz and reggae.
Why Should You Hire Me?
Excellent Training
With a Bachelor of Music degree from the prestigious Queensland Conservatorium, international musical education, over ten years of performing experience and ongoing coaching with some of the world’s most cutting-edge violinists I have a strong musical and technical foundation that guarantees top-tier performances every time.
Unique & Memorable
Looking to make your event unforgettable? No one else in the world offers the same unique combinations of violin, vocals and live looping that I do. Add to that a curated collection of custom-built, internationally sourced violins and premium sound equipment and even the simplest performance becomes a moment to remember.
Customisable Packages
With experience performing for audiences of all ages - from preschoolers to retirees - and at a wide variety of events, no request is too challenging, too creative or too specific for me. Thinking outside the box is my passion! That said, I’ll never ask you to fit into my music; I’ll tailor my music to fit you.
Easy to Work With
As an event planner myself, I understand the complexities of coordinating people, places, and details. I promise to communicate efficiently, provide simple solutions for organising your live music and take the time to understand your vision through personalised one-on-one planning sessions.
Meet My Violins
Over 150 years old, Liebchen (aka “Libbie”) was crafted in Prussia – modern day Germany – in the 1850s. She boasts some incredibly unique features including her trademark “lion-head” scroll which was used by a family of violin makers from that era. Occasionally I encounter another string player with a sister instrument but it’s very rare and I often refer to that little face as my practice buddy. Libbie was brought to Australia by an amazing luthier from Brisbane and I will never forget the first time I played her. Her rich, buttery sound actually gave me butterflies and I instantly knew that she was special. Libbie got me through my music degree and has traveled the world as my constant companion, I spend more time with her than I do with my own family. Sometimes I wish she could talk – imagine all the stories she could tell!
Rory hails all the way from Brazil and was handcrafted by the luthiers at Aurora violins. She was my first electric violin, purchased sight-unseen from the USA. While buying an instrument without playing it first is typically discouraged, the electric violin scene in Australia is still in it’s infancy and many exclusive brands simply aren’t available here. From the moment I saw Rory’s transparent perspex body and multi-coloured LED lights, I couldn’t get her out of my mind. Her solid, non-resonant construction makes her the perfect companion for effects pedals and the sound possibilities are truly endless.
Sydney is a custom-built, hybrid electric-acoustic Volta Violinatron. Described by his creator – Russian luthier Marat Gabdullin – as the “most souped up Volta to date”, everything from the electronics to the colour scheme was built according to my specifications. With inbuilt effects, onboard speakers and a dual-track looper there is very little this instrument can’t do. Weighing in at over 1.1kg makes Sydney a beast of a violin and with his two extra strings, he is capable of playing almost as low as a cello! Sydney is named after my grandfather who passed away in 2023 and was always one of my biggest fans.
Zeppelin is a one-of-a-kind Katana Sabre violin and was created in 2013 by Joe Domjan – one of Mark Wood’s legendary luthiers. Tragically, Joe passed away several years later, taking with him much of the knowledge and experience required to create Katana violins. Over ten years after being build, Zeppelin was re-discovered in a storage unit and put up for sale.
I first saw Zepp in a video on the Wood Violins facebook page but it wasn’t until I arrived at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp that I saw and played the instrument in person. It actually wasn’t “love at first play” – Zepp’s bright, edgy sound is quite different to the mellow tonality I’m usually drawn to. But there was something about this instrument that I couldn’t resist and the more I played him, the more I fell in love.
Zepp is a fully electric violin with a semi-hollow body that gives him a beautiful open sound. His golden Les Paul Style top is striking and the back of the instrument is covered in a collection of signatures from various members of the electric violin community, including Mark Wood himself as well as Matt Bell, Hayden Vittera, Chuck Bontrager and Tracy Silverman.
Raleigh is a work-horse violin! Made almost entirely of carbon fibre he is a standard four-string acoustic violin that is about as close to bullet-proof as violins get. He is sturdy, humidity resistant and even slightly weather proof. A sprinkle of rain? No problems! Far North Queensland humidity in the 80-90% range? Eh … she’ll be right mate. Oops, I bumped him off the violin stand! Ah well, just pick him up and dust him off – he probably won’t even be out of tune. Paired with his subtly stunning carbon fibre weave and flame-like orange tint, he is just as handsome as he is strong.
Named after the first country singer who popped into my head, Dolly Parton (Dolly for short!) is my alternative fiddle. She is tuned one whole step down giving her a grungy, earthy sound! This allows me to play in unfriendly keys without having to change the idiomatic and recognisable licks that can be found in a lot of classic country music songs. She makes my life on stage so much easier and I’m not going to lie – I love looking down and seeing two fiddles at my fingertips!
Meet My Violins
Over 150 years old, Liebchen (aka “Libbie”) was crafted in Prussia – modern day Germany – in the 1850s. She boasts some incredibly unique features including her trademark “lion-head” scroll which was used by a family of violin makers from that era. Occasionally I encounter another string player with a sister instrument but it’s very rare and I often refer to that little face as my practice buddy. Libbie was brought to Australia by an amazing luthier from Brisbane and I will never forget the first time I played her. Her rich, buttery sound actually gave me butterflies and I instantly knew that she was special. Libbie got me through my music degree and has traveled the world as my constant companion, I spend more time with her than I do with my own family. Sometimes I wish she could talk – imagine all the stories she could tell!
Rory hails all the way from Brazil and was handcrafted by the luthiers at Aurora violins. She was my first electric violin, purchased sight-unseen from the USA. While buying an instrument without playing it first is typically discouraged, the electric violin scene in Australia is still in it’s infancy and many exclusive brands simply aren’t available here. From the moment I saw Rory’s transparent perspex body and multi-coloured LED lights, I couldn’t get her out of my mind. Her solid, non-resonant construction makes her the perfect companion for effects pedals and the sound possibilities are truly endless.
Sydney is a custom-built, hybrid electric-acoustic Volta Violinatron. Described by his creator – Russian luthier Marat Gabdullin – as the “most souped up Volta to date”, everything from the electronics to the colour scheme was built according to my specifications. With inbuilt effects, onboard speakers and a dual-track looper there is very little this instrument can’t do. Weighing in at over 1.1kg makes Sydney a beast of a violin and with his two extra strings, he is capable of playing almost as low as a cello! Sydney is named after my grandfather who passed away in 2023 and was always one of my biggest fans.
Zeppelin is a one-of-a-kind Katana Sabre violin and was created in 2013 by Joe Domjan – one of Mark Wood’s legendary luthiers. Tragically, Joe passed away several years later, taking with him much of the knowledge and experience required to create Katana violins. Over ten years after being build, Zeppelin was re-discovered in a storage unit and put up for sale.
I first saw Zepp in a video on the Wood Violins facebook page but it wasn’t until I arrived at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp that I saw and played the instrument in person. It actually wasn’t “love at first play” – Zepp’s bright, edgy sound is quite different to the mellow tonality I’m usually drawn to. But there was something about this instrument that I couldn’t resist and the more I played him, the more I fell in love.
Zepp is a fully electric violin with a semi-hollow body that gives him a beautiful open sound. His golden Les Paul Style top is striking and the back of the instrument is covered in a collection of signatures from various members of the electric violin community, including Mark Wood himself as well as Matt Bell, Hayden Vittera, Chuck Bontrager and Tracy Silverman.
Raleigh is a work-horse violin! Made almost entirely of carbon fibre he is a standard four-string acoustic violin that is about as close to bullet-proof as violins get. He is sturdy, humidity resistant and even slightly weather proof. A sprinkle of rain? No problems! Far North Queensland humidity in the 80-90% range? Eh … she’ll be right mate. Oops, I bumped him off the violin stand! Ah well, just pick him up and dust him off – he probably won’t even be out of tune. Paired with his subtly stunning carbon fibre weave and flame-like orange tint, he is just as handsome as he is strong.
Named after the first country singer who popped into my head, Dolly Parton (Dolly for short!) is my alternative fiddle. She is tuned one whole step down giving her a grungy, earthy sound! This allows me to play in unfriendly keys without having to change the idiomatic and recognisable licks that can be found in a lot of classic country music songs. She makes my life on stage so much easier and I’m not going to lie – I love looking down and seeing two fiddles at my fingertips!
My Most Memorable Performances
As a guest artist with the Rooftop Express horse stunt show, I got the opportunity to perform in a couple of runs at the Brisbane Ekka Nite’s main event. I’ll never forget standing before a packed arena, dressed up in my dramatic period costume and watching as a cow broke free from the main herd of performing animals. It came charging across the grass towards me and I found myself thinking: “This is it … I’m going to get trampled by a run-away shorthorn!”
(Obviously, an heroic stockman swooped in and saved the day!)
I’ve had the privilege to perform in many unique locations but playing the Last Post at an ANZAC Day dawn service on the top deck of a pitching ship is definitely one of the most meaningful. Coming in at a close second was the morale-boosting concert I gave in the empty helicopter hangar of a warship with the sun setting over the ocean behind me.
My Most Memorable Performances
As a guest artist with the Rooftop Express horse stunt show, I got the opportunity to perform in a couple of runs at the Brisbane Ekka Nite’s main event. I’ll never forget standing before a packed arena, dressed up in my dramatic period costume and watching as a cow broke free from the main herd of performing animals. It came charging across the grass towards me and I found myself thinking: “This is it … I’m going to get trampled by a run-away shorthorn!”
(Obviously, an heroic stockman swooped in and saved the day!)
I’ve had the privilege to perform in many unique locations but playing the Last Post at an ANZAC Day dawn service on the top deck of a pitching ship is definitely one of the most meaningful. Coming in at a close second was the morale-boosting concert I gave in the empty helicopter hangar of a warship with the sun setting over the ocean behind me.
