Tess Hartis

Tess Hartis is a South Carolina native who now lives in Houston, TX. Her technical mastery of the violin shines in the worlds of classical music, early music, and the Irish music scene. Tess began studying the violin at the age of 8, and developed a love for Irish fiddling during college after being introduced by her friend Seán Heely. She spent her college years learning Irish fiddling through countless hours of transcribing recordings of famous Irish musicians. She became very active in Irish sessions across South Carolina and North Carolina while simultaneously earning a degree in Music Education and a Certificate in Violin Performance from the University of South Carolina. 

After moving to Houston, TX, she quickly fell in love with the Irish session community. She regularly performs as a member of Hup! Traditional Irish Music at many pubs and venues in the Houston area and throughout the region. Her versatility is displayed as a vielle player for Istanpitta, a medieval music ensemble based in Houston, where she is able to transfer her love of Irish fiddling to its musical predecessor. She is occasionally active in the Scottish music scene, and won first prize in Scottish fiddling at the 2018 Charleston Highland Games. She has taught middle school orchestra in south-west Houston for three years and shares her love of Irish music with her students daily.

She considers her biggest influences to be Martin Hayes, Bobby Casey, and her fiddle teacher, Randal Bays. The beauty, joy, and unifying sense of community that Irish music brings to all that partake is the reason she began learning Irish fiddle and what she hopes to share with others during this time of global turmoil.