Fiddle levels are Raw Beginner, Recent Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
J.J. Guy - 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!
Join the wildly popular Jamming with JJ group on Facebook!
Join the wildly popular Jamming with JJ group on Facebook!
Troy MacGillivray - Fiddle
Raised in Lanark, Nova Scotia, his musical prowess can be attributed to an especially rare combination of commitment and bloodline. By the age of six, Troy was already impressing audiences with his step dancing skills. By 13 he was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Anne's, Cape Breton. He has completed grade seven of the Toronto Conservatory of Music for classical piano, has spent four years in a stringed orchestra and has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music from St. Francis Xavier University.
Troy's grandfather, Hugh A. MacDonald, is a member of the Nova Scotia Country Hall of Fame - an honour bestowed for his contribution to the Gaelic culture of Nova Scotia. Troy's parents, Tony and Janice, are talented musicians in their own rights while his sister, Kendra, is a two time East Coast Music Award winning Celtic fiddler and his sister Sabra, is an accomplished dancer and percussionist. Whether playing piano or fiddle, or showcasing his stepdancing capabilities, Troy MacGillivray displays a unique sense of pride and commitment to his Celtic heritage and his music continues to add to the history and development of the traditional music that is the epitome of the Maritimes, the place he calls home!
Learn more at Troy's website.
Troy's grandfather, Hugh A. MacDonald, is a member of the Nova Scotia Country Hall of Fame - an honour bestowed for his contribution to the Gaelic culture of Nova Scotia. Troy's parents, Tony and Janice, are talented musicians in their own rights while his sister, Kendra, is a two time East Coast Music Award winning Celtic fiddler and his sister Sabra, is an accomplished dancer and percussionist. Whether playing piano or fiddle, or showcasing his stepdancing capabilities, Troy MacGillivray displays a unique sense of pride and commitment to his Celtic heritage and his music continues to add to the history and development of the traditional music that is the epitome of the Maritimes, the place he calls home!
Learn more at Troy's website.
Emily Dubois - Fiddle
Emily Dubois is a musically ambitious fiddler from little Langbank, Saskatchewan.
Emily’s affection and affinity for the fiddle started early; regularly attending youth fiddle camps like the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party, Emily was exposed to multiple fiddling styles from a variety of notable Canadian players such as JJ Guy, Gordon Stobbe, Ivonne Hernandez, Shane Cook, John Arcand, Calvin Vollrath, Karrnnel Sawitsky, Stephanie Labbé, Troy MacGillivray, Tim Chaisson, Mairi Rankin, and Liz Carroll.
Fiddle-camps and the connections they create have nurtured Emily’s passion for collaboration, performance, and her own evolution to mentoring and teaching young fiddlers. A significant connection was made early with Vancouver Island’s own Ivonne Hernandez, and followed her to Victoria to further her own growth as a player, performer, and instructor, working alongside Hernandez in a variety of projects.
Dubois has completed the a diploma in Contemporary Music Performance under Daniel Lapp, competed in the 2019 and 2024 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships, and post-pandemic graduated from Capilano University with a certificate in Arts and Entertainment management.
She is committed to her own role in the rich tradition of Canadian fiddling. Since September 2023, Emily has moved back to Saskatchewan, and are located out of Regina. It is here where the Flatland Fiddling Studio was finally able to come to fruition, and has successfully finished its first year. She is beyond excited be back SK fiddling scene and do her part to sustain it! Learn more at Emily's website, and book a lesson with Flatland Studio!
Emily’s affection and affinity for the fiddle started early; regularly attending youth fiddle camps like the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party, Emily was exposed to multiple fiddling styles from a variety of notable Canadian players such as JJ Guy, Gordon Stobbe, Ivonne Hernandez, Shane Cook, John Arcand, Calvin Vollrath, Karrnnel Sawitsky, Stephanie Labbé, Troy MacGillivray, Tim Chaisson, Mairi Rankin, and Liz Carroll.
Fiddle-camps and the connections they create have nurtured Emily’s passion for collaboration, performance, and her own evolution to mentoring and teaching young fiddlers. A significant connection was made early with Vancouver Island’s own Ivonne Hernandez, and followed her to Victoria to further her own growth as a player, performer, and instructor, working alongside Hernandez in a variety of projects.
Dubois has completed the a diploma in Contemporary Music Performance under Daniel Lapp, competed in the 2019 and 2024 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships, and post-pandemic graduated from Capilano University with a certificate in Arts and Entertainment management.
She is committed to her own role in the rich tradition of Canadian fiddling. Since September 2023, Emily has moved back to Saskatchewan, and are located out of Regina. It is here where the Flatland Fiddling Studio was finally able to come to fruition, and has successfully finished its first year. She is beyond excited be back SK fiddling scene and do her part to sustain it! Learn more at Emily's website, and book a lesson with Flatland Studio!
Jocelyne Bourque - Fiddle
Jocelyne Bourque has been teaching Fiddling and Stepdancing in the Moncton New Brunswick area for 37yrs. She has won the New Brunswick and Maritime fiddle contest and been finalists in the Canadian Grand Masters fiddling contest. She has judged many contest including the Maritime fiddle contest and the Canadian Grand Masters fiddling contest on 3 occasions and has taught at numerous camps and workshops during those years. She has 3 recordings to her credit and has composed many tunes. She is also part of the group Tipsy3 with Kimberley Holmes and Susie Lemay.
With her music, her teaching, and her albums, Jocelyne continues the tradition of keeping Acadian culture and music alive. Her music will long reflect and echo her quest to transmit her love of Acadian heritage to those who are willing to embrace it.
With her music, her teaching, and her albums, Jocelyne continues the tradition of keeping Acadian culture and music alive. Her music will long reflect and echo her quest to transmit her love of Acadian heritage to those who are willing to embrace it.
Karrnnel Sawitsky - Fiddle
Passionate. Creative. Captivating. Karrnnel is without a doubt one of Canada's most accomplished and innovative fiddlers and musicians as a recording artist, teacher, performer and composer. Karrnnel is changing the face of fiddle music.
Karrnnel has established himself as one of the most original and decorated musicians in the country. He is the most successful competition fiddle player in Saskatchewan’s history, is multi-nominated and a winner at the Western Canadian Music awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards - including a nomination for Solo Instrumentalist of the Year - and was nominated for Instrumental Song of the Year at the 2012 International Independent Music Awards.
Whether he is teaching, performing, writing, collaborating, arranging, or recording, Karrnnel consistently amazes audiences with his passion and expertise of the music he plays.
Read more about Karrnnel one his website and at the Fretless.
Karrnnel has established himself as one of the most original and decorated musicians in the country. He is the most successful competition fiddle player in Saskatchewan’s history, is multi-nominated and a winner at the Western Canadian Music awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards - including a nomination for Solo Instrumentalist of the Year - and was nominated for Instrumental Song of the Year at the 2012 International Independent Music Awards.
Whether he is teaching, performing, writing, collaborating, arranging, or recording, Karrnnel consistently amazes audiences with his passion and expertise of the music he plays.
Read more about Karrnnel one his website and at the Fretless.
Joseph Desjarlais - Fiddle - Raw Beginner
This class will take you through the first basic steps to get you started on the fiddle! Learn how to hold the instrument, how to play notes, and your first tune!
Joseph was born and raised in Ile-a-la Crosse, a small Metis community in Northern
Saskatchewan. He was taught by John Arcand when he was 10 years old to play the Metis fiddle and has since then branched out into a few other styles of fiddle playing, though he finds it hard not to turn every tune he plays Metis.
Joseph has finished his Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Biomedical Neuroscience and is now looking to undertake Postgraduate masters and doctoral studies. Joseph has played for many events and people over his 12 years of fiddle playing. From large events like Back to Batoche all the way to a small supper for his family and friends, he isn’t picky about who, what, when, or where he plays the fiddle.
Joseph was born and raised in Ile-a-la Crosse, a small Metis community in Northern
Saskatchewan. He was taught by John Arcand when he was 10 years old to play the Metis fiddle and has since then branched out into a few other styles of fiddle playing, though he finds it hard not to turn every tune he plays Metis.
Joseph has finished his Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Biomedical Neuroscience and is now looking to undertake Postgraduate masters and doctoral studies. Joseph has played for many events and people over his 12 years of fiddle playing. From large events like Back to Batoche all the way to a small supper for his family and friends, he isn’t picky about who, what, when, or where he plays the fiddle.
Gordon Stobbe - Square Dance Calling
A member of the Order of Canada, Gord's career accomplishments are many (check out his website) and it is an honour to have him join the Shivering Strings lineup this year, this time in a reprise of the popular Dance Calling seminar! Gord is a well-known and highly accomplished caller of square dances and many other pattern dances.
"Gordon Stobbe's passion for fiddle music has enriched our cultural heritage. A performer, composer, teacher and publisher, he has toured with several band,s including his own trio, for more than 40 years. In the 1980's, he hosted a popular variety show, Up Home Tonight, that featured local talent and helped launch the careers of many successful artists. Devoted to the preservation of fiddle music, he has tirelessly built a nationwide network of workshops and camps to introduce the joys of this rich tradition to others."
Watch Gord in action calling dances! Visit Gord's website Visit Twin Fiddles on FaceBook
"Gordon Stobbe's passion for fiddle music has enriched our cultural heritage. A performer, composer, teacher and publisher, he has toured with several band,s including his own trio, for more than 40 years. In the 1980's, he hosted a popular variety show, Up Home Tonight, that featured local talent and helped launch the careers of many successful artists. Devoted to the preservation of fiddle music, he has tirelessly built a nationwide network of workshops and camps to introduce the joys of this rich tradition to others."
Watch Gord in action calling dances! Visit Gord's website Visit Twin Fiddles on FaceBook
Corrinne Ernewein - Piano
Born and raised in the Meadow Lake area, Corrinne is no stranger to old time fiddle music, it runs strong in her family and that's where she gets her passion for accompanying fiddle music. Trained as a classical pianist, Corrinne has all the technical knowledge and ability to make sure students get a great start learning old time piano. Now working as a teacher in Meadow Lake she takes every opportunity to play and perform that she gets.
Daniel Koulack, whose music includes a broad range of genres, is a respected multi-instrumentalist and teacher on the Canadian music scene. Daniel was born in New York in 1965 and has lived in Winnipeg since 1968. At eleven years of age he bought a banjo with money saved up from his paper route. A year later he made his professional debut at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Daniel’s own music can be heard on his three albums of original instrumental music; “Clawhammer Your Way To The Top”, “Life On A String”, and “Frailing To Succeed”. Two of these recordings were nominated for Junos in the Best Roots/Traditional category. Daniel is also in high demand as an instructor at music camps across the country, and is a beloved mentor to many students and musicians.
Daniel is simply the best - a professional multi-instrumentalist who has honed his craft in clawhammer style banjo, and has loads of experience teaching! We love to have Daniel come to Shivering Strings whenever he is available!
Daniel's Website
Daniel is simply the best - a professional multi-instrumentalist who has honed his craft in clawhammer style banjo, and has loads of experience teaching! We love to have Daniel come to Shivering Strings whenever he is available!
Daniel's Website
Daniel Koulack - Clawhammer Banjo
Clayton Linthicum - Guitar
Clayton Linthicum is a guitar player and singer living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. As a member of the duo Kacy & Clayton, he’s released 6 albums, receiving nominations for both the Juno Awards and the Polaris Music Prize. Clayton was first introduced to the world of fiddling when he attended the Emma Lake Fiddle Camp at the age of 9. It was Gord Fisch, the guitar instructor, who showed him his first bass run and ignited a curiosity for the roles of the guitar within fiddle music. Following in the traditions of players like Martin Carthy, Doc Watson, and his mentor Freddie Pelletier, Clayton has devoted much of his practice to learning and adapting fiddle tunes for the guitar.
See more about Clayton on Instagram and his website.
See more about Clayton on Instagram and his website.
