weekend
MUSIC CAMP
GORDON STOBBE (fiddle)
The Father of Shivering Strings himself. And you guessed it, he's going to be here in the flesh. Gordon, originally from Sask, now calls Nova Scotia home. His musical interests lie in the field of traditional music, especially as it is expressed in the wide variety of North American fiddle styles. He composes, writes fiddle books and plays several instruments including fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo. His musical career is wide and varied. You can frequently find him hosting, judging, directing or calling a square dance but whatever it is, if Gordon is in charge, there's gonna be FUN involved!
More about Gord: www.fiddlebooks.com
​ CATHY SPROULE (piano)
Another incredible talent, Cathy hails from Saskatchewan and lives in Saskatoon. She co-founded the Ness Creek Music Festival in 1991, and the Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Festival in 2006. Coordinator of Shivering Strings West (SSS's big sis!) and founder of the new summer camp 'Fiddlyness' Cathy is very active in the music camp scene. She also organizes old time music workshops, concerts and dances around the province to keep a part of Saskatchewan's history alive. She is an accomplished fiddle player, and the house accompanist for the Saskatoon Fiddle Orchestra.Need something organized? She's the gal to pull it all together. And she sings! In all her spare time she is a lawyer and MLA! More about Cathy: www.cathysproule.com
DANIEL KOULACK (banjo)
Multi-instrumentalist only begins to describe this guy. Born in New York but long-time Winnipegger (?), Daniel has played in many ensembles. Just point out an instrument and he probably plays it: banjo, fiddle, double bass, guitar, mandolin, just to name a few. He composes, teaches, performs, arranges, produces and has eblazoned his musical mark on numerous albums. Whether as a soloist or as part of his many collaberations, Daniel has performed all over North America and is highly respected and recognized.
More about Daniel: danielkoulack.com
JJ Guy (fiddle)
When not charming the ladies at the local dance hall in Tuffnell, or making the kids laugh at his imitation of a donkey in school shows, JJ is one of Saskatchewan's favourite old time players - making people dance all over the province! He has recorded an impressive number of albums. Despite his youthful appearance, he is a veteran instructor at fiddle camps across the country and teaches extensively with the Frontier School Division in Manitoba. He plays fiddle and guitar and is an entertainer extrordinaire! JJ won People's Choice at the 2013 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship - what more can we say??More about JJ: jjguy.ca
Patti Kusturok (fiddle)
Patti has been playing fiddle since
she was 4 yrears old! She is known all over North America for her smooth fiddle playing. A long list of achievements includes: Canadian Junior Champion, 6 time Manitoba Champion, 3 time Grand North American Champion AND she was the first woman(and western Canadian) to win the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship!!
Patti's old time fiddle style is described as a little bit Metis, a little bit Quebecois and a whole lot of feel. Patti's humble demeanor and razor-sharp wit combined with amazing fiddling skills makes her a treasure to audience and student alike. She is one of the most sought after old time dance players in her home province of Manitoba. She's a performer, teacher, and composer with numerous cd's to her credit. This Manitoba Fiddle Association Hall of 'Famer' will get your toes tapping and your bow hand flowing :)
More about Patti: pattilamoureux.com
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS:
Donna Turk (fiddle)
Donna hails from Calgary and is a highly sought after fiddle teacher all over Canada. She plays and teaches in classical violin and fiddle styles. She has been a member of the world renowned Calgary Fiddlers and the Artistic Director of the Bow Valley Fiddlers. She flourished in competitions, particularly in her junior years, throughout Western Canada and Ontario and has performed literally all over the world. Students flock to where Donna is teaching - for real !! When you get a taste of her tender spirit and passionate fiddling you'll know why. Donna teaches at various fiddle camps throughout western and northern Canada. As an audience member, to hear Donna perform, you're in for a treat (hint: ask her to play 'James Brothers' . . . with Marcel!!). Any style you can think of, Donna can play it. AND she has a cd out!
More about Donna: donnaturk.ca
MARCEL HAPEL (guitar)
Marcel Hapel is a young, talented fiddle
player and teacher. He has taught with the Frontier School Division for 6 years and is currently teaching for the Swan Valley School Division. His passion for music has brought him to several different fiddle/music camps as a student as well as an instructor, some of those camps include: Camp Calvin, Kenossee Lake Kitchen Party, Clear Lake Fiddle Camp and Under the Porcupine. His love of all styles of music is apparent in his playing. Marcel shines when he is teaching children (kind of a big kid himself - you'll see what I mean!); he is loved by young and old alike. As a performer he is a treat to listen to and in addition to fiddle, he is avid on guitar.
Karrnnel (fiddle)
...just Karrnnel - you know, like, Cher - needs no last name :) This guy is known all over for his unique, innovative fiddling. He is originally from Saskatoon but now lives in Toronto. When he's not touring the world with The Fretless or with his Fiddle & Banjo buddy Daniel Koulack, you might find him doing his own gigs, writing tunes, producing cds/vimeos or teaching at camps and workshops. He has also written music books of his own fiddle compositions. Karrnnel has achieved many accomplishments and awards over the years as a soloist, half of a duo and as part of a group. musician, teacher, composer, producer, engineer, junior-level hockey player - is there anything this guy can't do? Yeah . . . he's not great
at the game Catchphrase ... just sayin'...
for more on Karrnnel visit his website:
Eric Wright (mandolin)
Picking up the cello at age 7, Eric Wright began his musical career as a classically trained musician. By 13, he was teaching group and private lessons in Vermont, while playing in numerous chamber groups and orchestras. He has received numerous awards, as well as being accepted into the Vermont All-State orchestra, New England orchestra, and winner of the Vermont concerto competition.
While he loved classical music, his father’s background in Irish and Old Time American fiddling was what really drew him in. Growing up, he had always accompanied his dad on cello, guitar, or other instruments, and knew that his love for folk music was too powerful to ignore.
From there, Eric moved to Boston and attended the Berklee College of Music where he studied folk styles with Eugene Friesen, Mark Simos, Natalie Haas, and John McGann. He graduated Magna Cum Laude as a Professional Music major, focusing mainly on Film Scoring, Music Synthesis, and Irish Cello Performance. Since college, Eric joined forces with the multi-award winning group, The Fretless, a contemporary traditional fusion group, and has been touring all over Canada, the US, and Europe ever since.
When not on tour with the Fretless, Eric is either performing as half of the electronic duo 'Speaker Face' or teaching Celtic/Old Time cello, guitar, and banjo teacher at one of many music camps.
