Like many talented musicians I have had the pleasure of getting to know, this #ArtistAtHome began learning to play at a very early age (2 years old). She went on to participate in her first music competition before her third birthday. By age 12, she made BC music history when she became the youngest person to win the title of ‘BC Provincial Fiddle Champion’. She is also a four-time Top Ten finalist at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Competition. Please meet Kalissa Landa.
Kalissa Landa at home.
Music has been a huge part of Kalissa's family life. Born in Canada to a Chilean father and a Canadian mother who both played music, Kalissa grew up in a multi-cultural home where traditional South American music and Cape Breton fiddle music was commonly heard. She and her older sister played together in various incarnations of their first band Fiddlemania, with other Victoria musicians including Adrian Dolan, Tania Elizabeth, Adam Dobres and Aaron Scoones. While learning and playing classical for years, her curiosity for other types of music grew exponentially. Her desire to explore niche genres was cultivated through her work in The Paperboys, a band fronted by her now husband Tom Landa (who has been featured in the #ArtistAtHome series). She has a deep love of all things Mexican, including (but not limited to) margaritas, traditional Son Jarocho music and of course, Tom!
Kalissa is also learning how to play the tenor banjo, and is an instructor at the Vancouver Academy of Music when not touring with The Paperboys or Locarno. She is a very entertaining and dynamic fiddle player. During a concert she was playing last year, I happened to be side stage taking photos when she walked over to me while still playing. The strap on her dress had come off her shoulder and was threatening to take the rest of it down further when she motioned for me to slide it back up. Glad I was there to help out. Never had that happen to me shooting any concert before or since!
Many thanks to Kalissa and Tom for having me in their home.
