Adrian Dolan is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and Juno Award-winning mix engineer based on Vancouver Island on Canada’s West Coast. Known for his work with the award-winning roots ensemble The Bills, his skills on the violin/fiddle, viola, piano, and accordion have placed him on stage with some of the finest artists in the industry. His passion for performing, arranging, composing, and teaching makes him a vital force in guiding a new generation of folk and traditional music.
After joining The Bills at age 17, the band became one of Canada’s foremost touring groups, performing nearly 160 shows annually and touring extensively throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Their 2002 and 2004 releases earned JUNO Award nominations and Western Canadian Music Awards, including “Entertainer of the Year”. They’ve been featured on CMT Canada, CBC (This Morning, Q, Canada Live), Radio-Canada, BBC Scotland, Radio Sweden, NPR, and WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour. The Bills continue to perform, now in their 30th year as a band.
Classically trained on piano, violin, and viola, Adrian began composing at a young age and was performing professionally by his mid-teens. After studying fiddle with Daniel Lapp, he soon expanded his role as a pianist and accompanist, leading to guest performances with the Victoria Symphony and appearances on summer festival stages throughout British Columbia.
For the past two decades, Adrian has worked as a producer and engineer, working with an eclectic range of artists spanning folk, bluegrass, country, garage rock, and jazz. As an arranger and orchestrator he has collaborated with renowned Canadian guitarist Adam Dobres, Deborah Holland, Grammy-winner Alex Cuba, West My Friend, Ne Sans Opera/Dance, and the Naden Band.
As an instrumentalist, Adrian has toured with a diverse array of artists, including BCCMA winner Ridley Bent, The Arrogant Worms, Irish legends The Chieftains, Barney Bentall, Cape Breton’s Rankin Sisters, and the Ruth Moody Band. He has also toured as a live sound engineer with Grammy Nominees Deva Premal and Miten, The Wailin’ Jennys and The Fretless, and has served as technical director for the Hornby Festival (15 years) and the Campbell Bay Music Festival (10 years).
Adrian has served as concertmaster for Bach on the Rock Chamber Orchestra and the Sooke Philharmonic Chamber Players, under the direction of Norman Nelson, and has performed on both viola and violin with the Victoria Chamber Orchestra and the Victoria Civic Orchestra.
A dedicated educator, Adrian has taught at traditional music workshops across Canada and is a highly sought after teacher on the violin/fiddle, viola, accordion, and piano. His passion for music is evident in all he does, and he takes great joy in sharing it with audiences, clients, and students alike.
