Current Lesson Offerings

I have been playing fiddle for over 30 years, learning by the Suzuki Approach and simultaneously immersing myself in Traditional Irish Music. I have a degree in science (geology), have completed Suzuki Teacher Training for books 1-3, and have been teaching creatively for over 25 years. In 2005, I won Senior fiddle at the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil (Irish music competition) and have competed at the world championships twice. I used to clean and repair violins at The Loft Violin Shop in Columbus, Ohio and am knowledgeable about fiddle maintenance. I currently play with local all-female Irish band The Lilies of the Midwest and teach with MadFiddle, a youth fiddle ensemble.

About my teaching

I teach in the Madison, Wisconsin, USA area, both in-person and virtually via Zoom. The typical development track for my students is toward non-Classical styles, particularly Irish Traditional. My school-age students usually join MadFiddle rather than the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, and they compete at the Fleadh Cheoil rather than concerto competitions. My adult students are encouraged to play in Irish sessions, perform at recitals, and participate at the Fleadh. That said, my beginner students will start out with the Suzuki Approach (parent coaches, positive reinforcement, step-by-step mastery, creative solutions), forming practice and listening habits while developing basic playing abilities. We learn by ear and learn to read music so we can be musically bilingual. Traditional tunes are added when I determine the student has the habits and techniques necessary for success.