About Charlene Adzima

Described by one of her students as "the best teacher I've ever had," fiddler Charlene Adzima is an energetic powerhouse both on stage and in the classroom. Concurrent with her Suzuki training as a child in Columbus, Ohio, Charlene fell in love with Irish music and ravenously sought out opportunities to study at workshops and camps with All-Ireland fiddle champions Liz Carroll, Seamus Connolly, and Oisin Mac Diarmada. Collecting the title of Senior Fiddle Champion at the 2005 Midwest Fleadh Cheoil (Irish music competition), Charlene has been warmly accepted into the Irish music community and is known for her danceable, pulsing rhythm and newly-composed tunes. Charlene performs regularly with guitarist Rick Nelson, West Wind, and The Lilies of the Midwest. A former Irish step dancer, she is also in demand as a musician for Irish step dance competitions.

As a teacher, Charlene maintains a full studio in the Madison, Wisconsin area and has successfully applied Suzuki pedagogy to the teaching of authentic traditional folk styles. She is certified with the Suzuki Association of the Americas to teach violin books 1, 2, and 3. Charlene has a teacher’s heart and loves to creatively find ways to teach anything from basic violin/viola fundamentals to theory/composition to soulful musicality.