Specialising in the simple-system wooden flute, tin whistle and DADGAD guitar, Rennie Pearson has been delving deep into the worlds of Irish and Scottish traditional music for over 20 years. He learned in the traditional way, by ear and through playing in sessions, as well as under the guidance of New Zealand flute players Pat Higgins and Brendan Montgomery. At the age of 19, Rennie travelled to the east coast of Canada to study with renowned wooden flute player Chris Norman. Since then, he has made numerous trips to Ireland and learned from many leading traditional musicians from Ireland, Scotland and Maritime Canada, including Alasdair Fraser, Conal O’Grada, Catherine McEvoy and David Greenberg.
Rennie has recently spent a year living in Ireland, immersing himself further in the traditional music scene, playing regularly in sessions, festivals and concerts across the country and continuing to learn directly from the tradition.
Rennie has taught flute, whistle and guitar at festivals and music schools in New Zealand, Australia and internationally, including Boxwood Festival, Ceol Aneas, CelticANZ, Auckland Folk Festival and Deloraine Music School, as well as teaching private students. He is delighted to be returning to Deloraine Music School this year.