Cultural Community: Basque
Artform: Basque Folk Traditional Dance and Music - Pandereta
Residence: Southwestern Idaho

Bio: Sean is one of very few American Basques playing the pandereta in the traditional “Trikitixa” manner, a style of Basque music that combines the sounds of the pandereta with the accordion. In Basque music, the pandereta (tambourine) is the driving beat for the dancers to follow. Sean Aucutt would know, he joined the Oinkari Basque Dancers in 1988, where he developed his interest in Basque music. He began visiting the Basque Country at age 17. There, he studied music and art for a full year. While in the Basque country, Sean studied pandereta with three master Basque folk musicians. Sean enriches the community around him by passing on his passion for Basque music. He co-directs Txantxan Gorriak, a musical group open to all ages that gives newcomers the opportunity to learn the trikitixa (accordion), the pandereta, Txalaparta, and alboca.  He is also a member of the Basque ensemble Amuma Says No, performing throughout the United States, including at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.  

Honors & Awards: 2001, Master, Idaho Commission on the Arts Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program

For Services Offered, Availability, and Costs, please  contact the artist.

Glossary Terms: Basque, pandereta, trikitixa, folklore, Txantxan Gorriak, Alboca, txalaparta

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