Gordon Stobbe - Seaforth, Nova Scotia - Fiddle
Gord is back! He is likely the most highly sought after instructor and performer on the fiddle circuit these days. Never one to let the dust settle, Gordon keeps busy with a host of projects across Canada. His "Fiddle History of Canada" production is being workshopped and presented in several provinces, he continues to compose and tour, and has released 5 Twin Fiddle CDs with some of the tunes he has composed with fellow musician and travel buddy JJ Guy. There is no room here to list all the accomplishments of this Canadian treasure, so check his website. But above all, Gordon is an inspiration to anyone who sees him perform, or teach, or call a square dance! http://www.fiddlebooks.com
J.J. Guy - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Fiddle
An inductee to The North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame, JJ Guy makes waves all across fiddle community! His performances while steeped in tradition, have taken fiddle music to a new and exciting level! Growing up in rural Saskatchewan surrounded by fiddle music, this tradition is now reflected in his own playing and his passion for the music. It is often said that "to hear JJ play is to witness a tune come alive." JJ started out by performing at a young age in many shows and dances across the prairies and winning many fiddling competitions including the Saskatchewan Junior & Novice Fiddling Championship. Early on in his career he played and free- lanced with many bands in the bluegrass and country style.Much of the winter months JJ gives workshops and performing across Canada, teaching fiddle to youth in Manitoba through the Frontier School Division, and for The Kole Crook Fiddle Association in the NWT. Summertime finds him featured at festivals, concerts and fiddle camps all across Canada from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and all stops in between. This extensive work schedule allows him to meet many fans, consequently, this has made him an attraction on the Canadian fiddle circuit! His five fiddle albums, are full of lively traditional and original fiddle music and his musical collaboration with Gordon Stobbe called “Twin Fiddles” have released five albums and garnered a WCMA nomination. During 2020 JJ has started a popular weekly online streaming series called “Jamming with JJ”, along with fellow musician Cathy Sproule which has streamed 135 weeks! Winner of the People’s Choice Award at the 2013 Canadian Grand Masters, nominated by the SCMA as "fiddler of the year”, featured in publications such as The Prairies North Magazine, The Western Producer, Saskatoon Star Phoenix and Sasktel's "Max Magazine"and host of Access7 TV show, ” Fiddling Around”, there is always excitement around this musician! www.jjguy.ca
Troy MacGillivray - Lanark, Nova Scotia - Fiddle
Troy MacGillivray is from Lanark, a small community on the north-eastern shore of Nova Scotia. Troy’s commitment to music has spanned 30 years and includes both practical and academic accomplishments–most recently an M.A. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Limerick in Ireland. From as young as six years old, Troy was impressing audiences step dancing and soon after, fiddle and piano skills. His first teaching gig was at 13 years old at the Gaelic College in St. Ann’s, Cape Breton. His roots-centered approach comes from a family of proud Scottish heritage where fiddle playing and Gaelic traditions runs in the bloodline. In 2012, Troy was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for contributions to culture in Canada. Troy’s strong career has brought him around the world playing and teaching from the North Pole to the Afghanistan while solo recordings have received numerous nominations and awards from East Coast Music Awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Troy is no stranger to the Shivering Strings camp and we are delighted he is coming back! www.troymacgillivray.com
Troy is no stranger to the Shivering Strings camp and we are delighted he is coming back! www.troymacgillivray.com
Alex Kusturok - Fiddle
Growing up, Alex followed his mother Patti to Old time dances around Manitoba where he was enriched with the fiddle from a very young age. By age 7, the passion for music became apparent and today Alex makes his living as a performer.
Career Highlights Include:
- Part of the Metis Delegation that travelled to Rome in 2022. Shared Metis music with Pope Francis.
- “Indigenous Day Live Winter Solstice” 5 day music festival that aired on APTN
-Celtic Colours international Festival
-Top 3 Finish at the Canadian Grand Masters
Career Highlights Include:
- Part of the Metis Delegation that travelled to Rome in 2022. Shared Metis music with Pope Francis.
- “Indigenous Day Live Winter Solstice” 5 day music festival that aired on APTN
-Celtic Colours international Festival
-Top 3 Finish at the Canadian Grand Masters
Claudine Arcand - Chaudières-Appalaches Region, Quebec - Fiddle
In over 25 years of involvement in traditional music, Claudine Arcand has gained extensive experience of teaching fiddle in Québec and abroad. Well-known music camps in the United States, conservatories in France, and the universities of Limerick in Ireland and Newcastle in England are among the places where she has given lectures and conducted training sessions on teaching “fiddle by ear.” From the Chaudières-Appalaches region of Québec where she now lives, Claudine directs MusiQue d’ICI, an organization that offers workshops and activity programs in music, singing and dance for children of pre-school and primary-school age. www.musiquedici.co
Kerri English - Shellbrook, Saskatchewan - Fiddle
stay tuned for bio...
stay tuned for bio...
Daniel Koulack - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Clawhammer Banjo
Daniel Koulack whose music includes broad range of genres, is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in clawhammer (or frailing) style banjo and string bass.
Daniel leads his own band, The Knappen Street AllStar Band, is one half of the Duo Fiddle and Banjo with fiddler Karrnnel, and has collaborated with great musicians in a variety of groups and musical styles including Klezmer: Finjan, Black Sea Station, From Both Ends Of The Earth, Western Swing: Woody Holler, Soukous: Trio Afrique.
Daniel works regularly and on an ongoing basis with several artists on their respective projects, most notably Metis Songwriter Ted Longbottom, and forward leaning old -time fiddler Karrnnel. In addition he has had the opportunity to work on a more casual basis with many wonderful musicians including Canadian fiddling icons Gordon Stobbe, Patti Kosturuck, and Calvin Volrath. Daniel is active as a composer, arranger and producer whose music has been used to underscore theater, film and television.
Daniel is also proud to be a part of the Frontier Fiddle program (2000 – Present). This program has been a part of Manitoba’s Frontier School Division since 1996 and has resulted in a renewal of the fiddle culture in over 30 communities in Northern Manitoba. This program is unique to Manitoba and is highly respected by the Canadian fiddling community.
Daniel’s own music can be heard on his two albums of original instrumental music Clawhammer Your Way To The Top, and Life On A String, both of which were nominated for Juno awards in the Best Roots/Traditional category. Daniel and Karrnnel's2015 release Fiddle & Banjo; Tunes From The North, Songs From The South has garnered critical claim and been included on top roots music lists in both the United Sates and the U.K. Daniel's third album of original music is Frailing To Succeed . https://danielkoulack.net/
Daniel leads his own band, The Knappen Street AllStar Band, is one half of the Duo Fiddle and Banjo with fiddler Karrnnel, and has collaborated with great musicians in a variety of groups and musical styles including Klezmer: Finjan, Black Sea Station, From Both Ends Of The Earth, Western Swing: Woody Holler, Soukous: Trio Afrique.
Daniel works regularly and on an ongoing basis with several artists on their respective projects, most notably Metis Songwriter Ted Longbottom, and forward leaning old -time fiddler Karrnnel. In addition he has had the opportunity to work on a more casual basis with many wonderful musicians including Canadian fiddling icons Gordon Stobbe, Patti Kosturuck, and Calvin Volrath. Daniel is active as a composer, arranger and producer whose music has been used to underscore theater, film and television.
Daniel is also proud to be a part of the Frontier Fiddle program (2000 – Present). This program has been a part of Manitoba’s Frontier School Division since 1996 and has resulted in a renewal of the fiddle culture in over 30 communities in Northern Manitoba. This program is unique to Manitoba and is highly respected by the Canadian fiddling community.
Daniel’s own music can be heard on his two albums of original instrumental music Clawhammer Your Way To The Top, and Life On A String, both of which were nominated for Juno awards in the Best Roots/Traditional category. Daniel and Karrnnel's2015 release Fiddle & Banjo; Tunes From The North, Songs From The South has garnered critical claim and been included on top roots music lists in both the United Sates and the U.K. Daniel's third album of original music is Frailing To Succeed . https://danielkoulack.net/
Sabin Jacques - Quebec - Accordion
Sabin Jacques began playing the accordion at age 14, deeply influenced by such musicians as Simard, Bruneau, Labbé Messervier and Montmarquette, he sought his originality in his unusual technique which gives him, as a left-handed player, a recognizable signature. Originally from the beautiful Gaspé peninsula, Sabin lived in Montreal between 1992-2009. This cosmopolite musical community allowed him to make significant acquaintances with musicians in the popular and commercial music domain.
Sabin remains profoundly attached to his traditional roots and regularly takes part in pedagogical projects, teaching at camps such as the Leahy – Natalie MacMaster camp (ONT) and Ashokan (NY), to name a few. Since distance is not an obstacle for learning, Sabin teaches accordion at home through internet or weekly at the Maréemusique School of Traditional Music. His teaching is said to be uplifting and always inspiring. His most recent recordings (2007 and 2010) present traditional tunes from Quebec played through remarquable arrangements, with his fellow musicians from band Tidal Wave / Raz-de-marée, putting a highlight on his stunning technique and musicianship while confirming his status as one of Quebec’s leading master accordionists.
Sabin remains profoundly attached to his traditional roots and regularly takes part in pedagogical projects, teaching at camps such as the Leahy – Natalie MacMaster camp (ONT) and Ashokan (NY), to name a few. Since distance is not an obstacle for learning, Sabin teaches accordion at home through internet or weekly at the Maréemusique School of Traditional Music. His teaching is said to be uplifting and always inspiring. His most recent recordings (2007 and 2010) present traditional tunes from Quebec played through remarquable arrangements, with his fellow musicians from band Tidal Wave / Raz-de-marée, putting a highlight on his stunning technique and musicianship while confirming his status as one of Quebec’s leading master accordionists.
Ryan Shotton - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Guitar
From Saskatoon, Ryan has enjoyed over 15 years as a performing musician in multiple genres, including Rock and Roll (Time Pirates), Bluegrass (Grain Report) and Old Time (Rugged Little Thing) and can currently be found playing mandolin at Honky Tonk Brunch (The Lost Highway Navigators). Playing guitar since the age of 12, his passion for every genre of music continues to grow. He has learned a lot over the years and now he knows that his home is in music camps and festivals among fellow jammers by the campfire.
Class Description:
Ryan’s class will get beginners off the ground and into a comfortable Jam-Ability incorporating learning by ear as well as making use of comfortable strum patterns and fundamental left hand techniques. More advanced players will work to “lead with rhythm” driving the groove and voice leading as well as picking on the melody to your favourite fiddle tunes.
Class Description:
Ryan’s class will get beginners off the ground and into a comfortable Jam-Ability incorporating learning by ear as well as making use of comfortable strum patterns and fundamental left hand techniques. More advanced players will work to “lead with rhythm” driving the groove and voice leading as well as picking on the melody to your favourite fiddle tunes.
Cathy Sproule - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Piano
Cathy Sproule, an accomplished piano player, began playing traditional fiddle accompaniment in 2003. She teaches piano at several fiddle camps across Canada and she accompanies Gordon Stobbe and JJ Guy for the Twin Fiddles shows every chance she gets! When not playing fiddle or piano, Cathy organizes fiddle events such as house concerts, the FiddlyNess Fiddle Camp and the Saskatoon bid for the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship in August, 2014. When COVID started, Cathy was pleased to join JJ Guy for the Facebook Live Weekly "Jamming With JJ" and the two of them have entertained hundreds with their light hearted and entertaining weekly sessions. Cathy is known for being one of the organizers of Shivering Strings Saskatoon, but will be taking up the instructor spot in piano as well in 2024!