Violin with Heather L.

I play violin, viola, cello and sing. Currently performing with Athas (Irish Traditional tunes & songs), Dairyland's Finest String Band (Old-Time & Blues), Brewtown Brewgrass (Bluegrass & Old-Time), and Blackthorn Folly (Trad tunes, Celtic Rock, & Pub Songs). I began studying fiddle styles in 1998 after getting involved with International folk dancing. My love of learning, mixed with a desire to travel & explore, has motivated me to attend hundreds of workshops and festivals to study the diverse cultures & fiddling styles of the world. I've been honored to learn from many amazing musicians in multiple genres and am excited to pass along the tunes and techniques that I've acquired along the way. I love playing for dancers. Past dance styles include Slovak, Contra, Square Dancing, Scottish, Renaissance Court, English Country, Ceili, Irish Set Dancing, & Improvisational. Feis musician (Irish dance competitions) & Feis Music Competition Adjudicator. I recently published an online guide for traditional Irish musicians interested in learning how to play for Irish dance competitions, called Musicians Guide to Feis. I offer private lessons on violin, viola & cello both online and in-person in the Milwaukee area at Family Music Center and Celtic MKE. I'm an instructor for the Milwaukee Irish Fest School of Music, and have taught workshops at venues around the country. Composing: I enjoy composing fiddle tunes, orchestral arrangements, songs, and poetry. Some of my fiddle tunes have become quite popular in sessions around the world. I also enjoy collaborating with other composers on new works of music. Recording experience: Experienced in-studio and remote recording session artist. Education: I graduated from Milwaukee High School of the Arts, then attended UW-Stevens Point to study Music Education, and later went on to earn degrees in Anthropology, American Indian Studies & Celtic Studies from UW-Milwaukee. Awards: Miscellaneous (Viola) Champion in the Adult division at the 2006 Midwest Fleadh Cheoil and went on to compete in the 2006 All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Letterkenny, Ireland.Champion in the 2012 Midwest Fleadh Cheoil in Fiddle Slow Airs and competed in the 2012 All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Cavan, Ireland.