Fiddle Lessons in Saint Clair. Amazing Teachers.

Irish, Scottish, Celtic, bluegrass, country. Let's get fiddling!

I start with the beginning skills on Essential Elements and then use fiddle methods

I have been teaching for over fifteen years. You can choose to learn by ear, notation, tab or any combination of these. Learn any of the fiddling competition tunes, or just your particular favorites.

Whether you want to learn tunes by ear or drag the bow like a fiddle pro, I can set you on the path to success! My private students range in age from 4 to 40 years old, and I have gone on to become music teachers, composers, and professional musicians. My most influential fiddle teachers have included Emily Schaad, Jay Ungar, Junior Daugherty, Matt Glaser, and Bruce Molsky.

Have you ever wanted to play fiddle, but never knew where to start? Do you have trouble learning correct technique, practice strategies, or struggle finding good repertoire to learn? Well, you've come to the right place!

In our first lesson, I will likely ask you to demonstrate your level to me, either by telling me or showing me what you know. I will use this to better understand your strengths and weaknesses and go from there. You can expect to come away from our first lesson with some learning materials, a plan for going forward, and an encouraging start to our journey as musicians together!

Some examples of things students can learn from me include: expanding repertoire, ear training, music reading, improvising, jamming, music theory, and technique.

I specialize in helping students learn practice and listening techniques that will allow you to make faster more efficient progress as well as increase your understanding of music and how you best learn to play. I teach many fiddle styles including Irish, Gypsy Jazz Old Time and Bluegrass. I specialize in Irish fiddle, which I have been playing and teaching for 25 years. I have studied in Ireland with numerous masters of the Irish fiddle such as Kevin Burke, Tommy Peoples , Martin Hayes, Matt Cranitch, Oisin Mac Diarmada and many others. I am founding member of the band Beyond The Pale and have taught at numerous camps and festivals including The O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat.
I also specialize in “Gypsy Jazz” or “ Hot Club of Paris” style jazz fiddle in the style of Stephane Grapelli and played for many years in the very popular Dallas based band The Texas Gypsies.