Violinist, composer, singer and live looping artist Katisha Adelaide has performed in countries across the globe and thrives on the non-traditional. She has presented the violin as a compelling and relevant instrument both in Australia and internationally. Described by journalist Maria Girigenti as having a “fresh new musical direction” and performing a “concert like no other”, Katisha presents a broad range of musical styles and experiences.

Born and bred in Far North Queensland, Katisha grew up as the oldest child in a family of amateur creatives. Throughout her childhood, she was involved in a large variety of creative disciplines including dance, art, instrumental music, vocal lessons and dramatic theatre. Katisha competed in local esteidfords, performed with the Innisfail Theatre Company and took private piano, drama and singing lessons. At the age of sixteen, she fulfilled her dream of purchasing a violin and shortly thereafter started taking casual violin lessons. A move to Townsville the following year facilitated the opportunity for Katisha to start studying with Polish violinist Hanya Kaminska and to undertake her first violin examination which she passed with Distinction.

At the age of nineteen, Katisha moved to Sweden to study violin at Framnäs Folkhögskola in Piteå. During the subsequent two years she became a founding member of the Thursday Orchestra and played first violin for Norrbotten Youth Orchestra with whom she toured Latvia in 2013. She studied with sought after concert violinist Christian Svarfvar and was awarded the Sigurd Wargert Scholarship upon the completion of her course.

Katisha feels a strong connection to her home country and returned to Australia in 2015 to undertake Bachelor of Music studies at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. She graduated in 2019 having studied with violinist Margaret Connolly (Queensland Symphony Orchestra) and undertaken a number of projects with the Conservatorium Orchestra. Highlights included performing the national anthem at The Gabba stadium for the 2017 Ashes Cricket test match and playing in the world premier of composer Paul Dean’s newest opera. In 2017 and 2018, Katisha appeared in the Royal Queensland Show Ekka Nites Main Arena Event as part of the Rooftop Express Show’s nightly feature. 

During this time, Katisha undertook an intense year of study through Youth With A Mission (YWAM) focused on community work, discipleship and musical outreach. Alongside other musicians, she spent time in Kenya, Uganda, Manila and Bangkok sharing music in cafes, prisons, market places, street corners and the iconic Quezon City Memorial Circle in the Philippines. During this time, Katisha was challenged to “think outside the box” and started experimenting with live looping technology, special effects and a more contemporary musical practice. 

Since graduating from her degree in 2019, Katisha has embraced a unique and creative approach to the violin. Building on her solid technical foundation, she is passionate about breaking the stereotype of boring violin-playing. Her unique combination of live-looped violin playing, captivating vocals and extended techniques makes Katisha one-of-a-kind and has not been replicated anywhere else in the world. She strives to remain on the forefront of violin innovation and continues to work with a number of pioneering violinists including Tracey Silverman, Mark Wood and Rob Flax. 

Katisha released and toured her debut EP Kaleidoscope in 2018 and in 2021 her first full album Home Is Not So Far was released.