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BIOGRAPHY

Biography

       Hannah has been rockin' the violin since the age of 10 & started singing some years later. Classically trained, growing up in choir and loving the Beatles, Lord of the Dance, and Vivaldi as a kid, there's not a musical style she doesn't consume or want to learn more about. At Columbia College Chicago she earned her Bachelor's in Music Composition in 2012, also received an extensive violin performance education while being able to dip her fingers in many new musical worlds such as bluegrass, jazz, metal, minimalism, and much more.

 

Hannah served as the concertmaster of The Chicago Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra in 2010 having been involved with this group and The Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra for many years prior. She also embraced her inner cowgirl as the fiddler and lead-female singer for the Midwest's favorite country cover band Suburban Cowboys for 6 years, and through this opportunity, became the fiddler and backup vocalist for "Made in America" a Toby Keith tribute band. She played violin with Trippin Billies, (the nation's most renowned Dave Matthews tribute band), and regularly picks up gigs with bands like Jennifer Fletcher & the Reckoning, Rockstar Rodeo, Hey Cowboy, Simply Sound, Leonum and the Greenleaf Band. Through all of this stage-performing, she's been fortunate to play on some of Chicago's most iconic stages including the House of Blues, Chicago Theatre, The Metro, Lincoln Hall/Schuba'sThe Vogue (IN) & has been distinctly honored to open for other fantastic bands including Sixteen CandlesSister Hazel, Phil Vasser, and perform alongside artists like Jim Peterik (Survivor), Tom Higgenson (Plain White T's) and Keith Anderson. She now plays with a Chicago-based 90s Rock/Americana group named American Pie. Besides gigging her weekends away, she is the co-founder and music director of a collaborative of professional musicians called Chicago Street Strings, a local & versatile wedding and special events performance group of top-notch freelance musicians.

 

Whether on stage or in the studio, Hannah is known for her enthusiastic performances, dedication, exemplary ear, versatile improvisations, proficient sight-reading, innate flexibility aka a very 'go-with-the-flow' attitude, an extensive repertoire of country and rock tunes, and to top it all off - a tendency to have a total blast with everything that she pursues.

 

When she's not busy shredding and belting it out into the late evening hours, Hannah can be found working in her home studio, learning new music, diligently writing or collaborating on projects with other creatives. Most recently Hannah has taken up streaming on Twitch under the alias Phunk Phiddler. Be sure to catch a stream soon and phollow her TTV channel!

Want to collaborate with Hannah? Click here!

GEAR

Gear

ACOUSTIC
&
ELECTRIC
VIOLIN

(Mark Wood Viper)

Roland Amp

EQ DI Box

Delay

Distortion

Drop Tune

Looping

Wireless

FULLY

AMPLIFIED

SOUNDS

LIKE

violin 

Vitamin String Quartet

Lindsay Stirling

Charlie Daniels

 

vocals

Miranda Lambert

Amy Winehouse

Janis Joplin

PRESS

Press

Suburban Cowboys

(Chicago Country

Music Awards)

---

Best Chicago Country

Western Band

2nd Place

Winner

Bar 1's Big Break

Vocal Competition

---

Chicago, IL

CMA Award

Winner

Suburban Cowboys

TV Performance

---

Guests of

Ryan Chiaverini

from 

ABC's Windy City LIVE

Live TV

Appearance

REVIEWS

Reviews

PERFORMANCE

Hannah's Violin & Vocal performance

"Hannah is one of the most talented & dynamic performers I have ever been on stage with. Her vocals are pitch perfect & I would put her fiddle playing up with anyone. Just watch her perform 'Devil Went Down to Georgia' enough said!"

Being Hannah's Stand Partner 

"It is an absolute pleasure to make music with Hannah Watson. Her breadth of musicianship stretches from classical to jazz and blues, and even to folk and pop. I have performed with Hannah in multiple orchestras. Her dedication to both the music and the players around her is palpable. She is a clear asset to any organization to which she belongs!!!" an absolute pleasure to make music with Hannah Watson. Her breadth of musicianship stretches from classical to jazz and blues, and even to folk and pop. I have performed with Hannah in multiple orchestras. Her dedication to both the music and the players around her is palpable. She is a clear asset to any organization to which she belongs!!!"

COLLEAGUE ● MARKETING ● ENGINEERING

Hannah's Violin Performance

"Hannah's aptitude for music and performance is truly remarkable. She is fluent in any genre, from classical to country to composition. Whether she’s playing at a wedding or the House of Blues, Hannah is sure to augment any experience. I would recommend Hannah to anyone in need of a violinist."

"Hannah K Is great! Every time we play I am impressed with her skill and talent. She is a true professional that is easy to work with. A wonderful person that always has her smile on."

Weddings

LEAH BABCOCK

BRIDE

Wedding Ceremony Performance As a Soloist

"We had the best experience working with Hannah for our wedding. She was super helpful during the initial planning process, was flexible when we made changes to the song list & was professional during the whole process. She is an extremely talented musician, & we received a bunch of compliments from our wedding guests. I would not hesitate to work with Hannah again in the future."

MEMORIAL SERVICES

KAREN LACKNER

Memorial service PERFORMANCE AS A SOLOIST
"I was looking for a violinist to play at my husband's memorial service. Consequently, I reached out to a Naperville, IL funeral director who suggested Hannah K Watson. She indicated in our conversation that Hannah is fantastic and listed various places she heard her perform. Needless to say, I contacted Hannah and she was available for the time and date that I needed. Her performance at the memorial service was amazing; I strongly recommend Hannah for whatever occasion you may be celebrating. Her talent will make any event complete and memorable."
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