Growing up on the Canadian prairies, Danishka Esterhazy developed an early appreciation for folk music. In her early teens Danishka decided to study the harp.
After graduating from the University of Winnipeg with a degree in history Danishka devoted herself to the study of the Celtic harp. She also began to study Scots Gaelic. Before long, Danishka was arranging her own repertoire of songs and airs.
In 1996, she won Gold and Silver medals at the U.S. National Mòd, an annual Gaelic music competition.
In the same year Danishka was awarded the W.K. Logan Scholarship,an award given for her "high level of performance in Scottish vocal traditions."
In 1997, Danishka won two awards at the Vancouver Mòd: The Duncan M. Morison Trophy for harp and voice performance
and the Ishabel Ross Trophy for Gaelic singing.
In November 1997 Danishka released her debut recording The Harper's Hands.