The Boston Globe described Hanneke Cassel's fiddle playing as "Exuberant and rhythmic, somehow both wild and innocent, delivered with captivating melodic clarity and an irresistible playfulness." Born in Oregon, Hanneke began studying classical violin at age eight, then mastered Texas-style and Scottish fiddle as well (she studied with renowned Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and Cape Breton master Buddy MacMaster).