Andy Hillhouse

Harrison, world music and small-town roots

The Harrison Festival Society presents the Harrison Festival of the Arts — world music and art with small-town roots — whose 48th edition will run July 9–18, 2027, as well as a Season of Performing Arts from September to May at Harrison Memorial Hall. Andy Hillhouse has been its Executive and Artistic Director since September 2013, booking all of the talent the Society presents.

Musician and scholar

Andy Hillhouse cut his teeth in the folk world as founder and manager of the Celtic funk band Mad Pudding, touring North America and Europe through the 1990s. He earned a Juno Award as a member of Edmonton-based group The McDades, and holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of Toronto (2013).

Delegate at Mundial Montréal 2026

Andy Hillhouse is an official delegate of the 16th edition of Mundial Montréal, the global gathering for global music, held November 17–21, 2026 in Montreal. His presence among the 2026 edition's delegates places his organization within the festival's professional exchanges.

Highlights

• Harrison Festival Society — Executive and Artistic Director since September 2013
• Harrison Festival of the Arts — 48th edition, July 9–18, 2027
• The McDades — Juno Award as a band member
• Ethnomusicology — PhD, University of Toronto (2013)