Ailsa Mair {sometimes known as The Fairytale Cellist} weaves elemental tapestries from her strings, voice and loop pedal, infused with wild nature, love & magic.  She sings and plays at the same time (cello / viola da gamba or bass viol), sharing original songs and live improvisations from the heart, in Welsh, English and made up languages.

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Ailsa has collaborated extensively with many well known artists - musicians, storytellers, dancers, aerialists and illustrators - in performance and in session.  She has also worked extensively in theatre, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company (Cymbeline, 2023 + 2016/17).

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Ailsa is a storyteller, and has just performed hers and Deb Winter's newly commissioned show Secrets & Silences at Beyond the Border International Storytelling Festival, after co-winning the Gwobr Esyllt Award from Welsh Women's Storytelling collective Chwedl.

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From 2017-2021 Ailsa was one half of Tinc y Tannau, a trailblazing bass viol and voice duo with the late & extraordinary Sianed Jones.  

Their music can be found HERE.

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Ailsa has also released several solo EPS of her own songs and is recording more this year.  Find her work HERE.

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Please get in touch if you would like to book Ailsa for a solo show or collaboration.

 

some nice things people have said about my work...

 

"One of the most heart-felt singers i have ever met, Ailsa literally gives me tingles down my spine. Her musical ability is astonishing and transcendental"

- Musician, sound healer, Artist Stu Hampton

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"You sound like a full-grown fairy and my Mum loves you"

- fan at the Green Gathering

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"Beautiful Cello Witch"

- fan