Kjelsty Hanson and Glenn Kastrinos met in Moscow, Idaho. Together they moved to New Zealand. They lived there for four years and performed at various festivals around New Zealand. Dorian, their son was born in New Zealand and they decided to move back to the United States so they could be in the same hemisphere as family. 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.
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. After getting her MFA, Kjelsty managed and taught classes in the pottery studio at Waiohiki Art Village,in New Zealand. Kjelsty now lives in Cullowhee, NC . She and Glenn have performed in Sweden, New Zealand and United States as Whimzik.
