 |
 |
 |
|
Workshop Instructors & Contest Judges
Eric Christopher - St. Paul, MN
Bluegrass Fiddle Workshop Instructor
For the last twenty years Eric Christopher has worked as a fiddler-for hire, performing, recording and/or touring with dozens of bluegrass,Americana and alternative country acts, including The James King Band, Buck-Fifty Boys, Tim Easton and Vic Chesnutt. Eric is currently dividing his touring time between 2008 RockyGrass Band Competition Champion's The High 48s and Tangled Roots. Eric also teaches privately and leads bluegrass fiddle workshops for all ages and levels of experience.
|
Patti Lamoureux - Comox Valley, BC
Canadian Old-Time Fiddle Workshop Instructor & IOTFC Accompanist
Patti started playing the fiddle at the age of four, and has to her credits the Canadian Junior Champion (1985), three time Champion at the famous Pembroke competition, seven time Manitoba Champion, three time Grand North American Champion, and in 1994, 1995 and again in 1996, Patti won the prestigious Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship. With more than 13 recordings to her credit, she is in high demand for performances, teaching, recording, and judging fiddle contests across the continent.
|
Kay Werre - Fullerton, ND
Beginning Fiddle Instructor & IOTFC Judge
Kay Werre has been a serious fiddler for 30 years. A prolific champion, Kay's list of accomplishments includes winning the National Invitational Fiddling Contest in Yankton, SD; the ND State Fiddle Championship; and numerous competitions at the International Old-Time Fiddlers Contest. She was a semi-finalist at the Weiser, ID National Old-Time Fiddling Contest in 1994 and 1995 and in 2005, she placed 4th in the senior division. In 2009, she placed 1st in the Senior Division of the MN State Old-Time Fiddle Championship in Cotton, MN. Kay is a certified judge for the National Old-Time Fiddle Association. Kay also judges for the South Dakota Old-Time Fiddle Contest in Yankton, SD.
|
Jim Tengesdal - Minot, ND
Fiddler Instructor & IOTFC Judge
During his professional career as a fiddler and violinist, Jim has competed at many state and national competitions, finishing among the top ten fiddlers in five of seven national appearances. He has been a judge and adjudicator at a number of contests. An accomplished violinist, Mr. Tengesdal is a well-known and respected music educator.
|
Glen Westberg - East Selkirk, MB
IOTFC Judge
Glen Westberg lives in Selkirk, Manitoba and has been involved with fiddle music for about 15 years. Glen specializes in Old-time and Bluegrass styles of music and plays in many various Oldtime/Bluegrass bands. He has competed in fiddle contests in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and occasionally plays backup for local country bands. In recent years, Glen has been teaching fiddle in his spare time to young and old.
|
Mike Dowling - Dubois, WY
Guitar Workshop Instructor
Mike grew up in central Wisconsin and in the 1970's toured with Vassar Clements, Joe Venuti and mandolinist Jethro Burns. He has recorded with Burns and Venuti in Chicago and in between jobs took time off to move to California when he had the opportunity to study with the late, great George Barnes. Mike digs deep into the musical bag of American roots guitar, favoring the melodic Piedmont style of acoustic blues masters like Mississippi John Hurt and slide great Tampa Red. From bottleneck blues to vintage jazz and much more in between, Mike's musicality, depth, and mastery of the instrument translates fluently to flattop, archtop, and resonator guitars alike.
Website
|
Ron Hett - Bottineau, ND
Beginning Guitar Instructor
Ron has been playing guitar for over 45 years and currently performs with Highway 43 out of Bottineau. Ron played professionally with Lucifer B. Tykes for 6 years. He currently resides in Bottineau, ND.
|
John Andrus - Litchville, ND
Banjo Workshop Instructor
John is a veteran of bluegrass banjo for over 30 years and has taught 5-string banjo for nearly 20 years. He is a founder and current president of BOTMAND. His teaching emphasizes group playing skills and interacting with other musicians.
|
|
|
|
 |
