Kjelsty Hanson and Glenn Kastrinos

Glenn has been playing traditional music since the seventies and used to compete in fleadh cheols (Irish traditional music competitions) in New York City and Ireland. He won the fleadh cheol in New York on three occasions and competed favorably in Ireland three times despite his Greek name and heritage. He also studied guitar under Mike Christiansen at Utah State and has accompanied some of the outstanding traditional players in Philadelphia and Ireland. He draws from his experiences in Ireland, New Zealand and Sweden. His world music views and openness to improvisation allows him to accompany Kjelsty when she is in character.

Kjelsty received her BA with an emphasis in ceramic sculpture from Linfield College, in McMinnville, OR. Part of her study at Linfield included an art class in Costa Rica learning indigenous art forms such as mask making. She went on to get her MFA at the University of Idaho. While in the MFA program Kjelsty worked at Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and was introduced to theatrical mask performance.  She and Glenn have performed in Sweden, New Zealand and United States as Whimzik.

All of their travels and experiences have inspired and add to their music and art. They chose the name, Whimzik to reflect the improvisational way they work together.