VanIsle Fiddlers

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Thursday, May 31st, 2012
3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

The VanIsle Fiddlers is directed by Geoff Horrocks and Trish Clair, two musicians with extensive teaching, leadership, and performing experience at camps and workshops across Canada. Trish was the founding director of this group of students, and since its inception in 2002 the Fiddlers have been featured performers at such events as Islands Folk Fest in Duncan, Maple Sugar Festival, and the Festival of Trees. They have also played at numerous private and public events and have provided music for several family barn dances in and around Nanaimo.

Geoff Horrocks has taught fiddle, piano, guitar, and mandolin to private students in Ottawa and Nanaimo for the past 10+ years, as well as guiding large and small traditional music ensembles at workshops from coast to coast. He is widely regarded as one of the best accompanists for traditional musicians and singers, and has performed and recorded with artists such as Calvin Vollrath, Kelli Trottier, Mark Sullivan, Patti Lamoureux, Gordon Stobbe, and Andre Brunet across Canada and the USA. Geoff has also worked widely as a recording engineer in the Canadian fiddle community, recording and producing solo CDs as well as the annual Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Competition in Ottawa.

Trish Clair has a BMus (performance) from the University of Western Ontario and extensive training as a Suzuki violin and viola instructor. She has taught privately for over 20 years and continues to be in demand as a clinician, coach, and adjudicator across western and northern Canada. She has released two solo recordings of traditional and original fiddle music, one of which was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Instrumental Solo Album.

The music that Geoff and Trish bring to the VanIsle Fiddlers reflects many musical influences including Celtic, Old-Time Canadian, Quebecois, Texas Swing, Rock & Roll, and Jazz. Members of the group learn a great deal of material by ear, and complex harmonized arrangements are also supported with written scores. Trish and Geoff are dynamic, knowledgeable, supportive and professional directors who bring out the best in their students.

There are several levels of group classes accommodating players from absolute beginners to accomplished violinists. The Mixed Performance Ensemble also welcomes other instruments including guitar, mandolin, bass, penny whistle, harp, cello, viola, piano and Irish drum.

You can see recent performances by the group on youtube at this location:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjdkhDl0YKg

In addition to their work with the VanIsle Fiddlers, both Geoff and Trish see weekly private students in their downtown studio. Lessons are available on fiddle, piano, Suzuki violin and viola, folk guitar, mandolin, and music theory.

Come and join Nanaimo's original traditional music community and experience the joy of making music with others.

Other Dates for this event:

Thursday, June 7th, 2012, Thursday, June 14th, 2012