My philosophy of teaching music lies at the nexus of cultural relevance, creativity, and lifetime musicianship. As a Suzuki violinist from the age of 2, bluegrass fiddler, pianist, and vocalist from 8, classical harpist from 16, and performer of classical,…
Like many of us in the music-making profession, it’s been about two years since my last big tour. Since the age of 10, I have performed for part if not all of my income. Before the pandemic, taking a break…
Why Bluegrass Matters in the Public School Music Classroom The International Bluegrass Music Association holds it’s annual conference in Raleigh, North Carolina each fall. Drawing over 200,000 people to this 5 day conference and music festival, it is one of…
I have been asking my teaching friends the big question, “what are you able to do now that you were not able to do before last March?” Their answers run the emotional gamut from despair to elation that they are…
As a string teacher, I often reflect on the joy my fellow string players experience at bluegrass jams, folk festivals, and rock concerts. These are all genres based on instruments that include strings that are widely popular. I often wonder…
Well friends…in the interest of Total World Domination Through Vibrating Wooden Boxes…we are hitting the road and hard-like this month! We would love to see you at one of our shows and feel free to reach out with any questions…
As string educators, we must be aware of more than a few changing realities in both the classroom and the job market that our enthusiastic, diverse and technology driven students will pour into. Here are three critical shifts in the…
My band, The Savage Hearts, is headed to Raleigh, North Carolina, to play a series of showcases at the International Bluegrass Music Association Ramble and Business Conference. The following is a series of observations I have had in a 30-some…
Core values. Strategic plan. Standards and benchmarks. This is the dry language of the profession that is infused with perhaps the most love of all professions: teaching. I remember the first time I realized that I was a teacher. I…
There is a story that I often share in the “fiddle” community (otherwise known as “alternative strings” and a host of other clunky names that seem to connote that we are opposing the dominant paradigm). It is based the observation…