Save the Date! Our 2027 Old Time Fiddle Weekend is June 10-12, 2027. Information will be updated in 2027!
Evie Andrus
Fiddle Instructor & Contest Judge
Evie Andrus has been performing since she was 6 years old. Her family band, Family Ties, toured around ND and Canada throughout her high school years. Andrus is a graduate of the East TN State University Bluegrass, Old Time and County Music Program. She just received a Masters of Music, Musicology at University of Tennessee Knoxville. She has worked as a performer at the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud as well as performing with other acts such as Foreigner, Il Divo and appearing on HBO’s “The Outsiders”. Andrus is a co-founder and President of the East TN Bluegrass Association. Andrus released an album of original tunes in May 2022, Evie’s Great Adventure.
Caitlin Baker
Fiddle Instructor & Contest Judge
While growing up in Grand Rapids, Manitoba, Caitlin Baker began playing the fiddle at the age of four. Having recently completed a Bachelor’s degree in Music (Violin Performance) and a minor in Gender & Women’s Studies from Brandon University, Caitlin is now based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With her love for a wide variety of musical genres, Caitlin plays everything from Old Time fiddle tunes to Rock and Country, and enjoys immersing herself in styles new to her. Lately, Caitlin has been enjoying playing with and recording fiddle and vocal tracks for a number of Manitoban artists. In 2024, Cailtin played fiddle on Mitchell Makoons’ debut album Lady Boots, from which two singles reached number one on the international Indigenous Music Countdown. In the past few years, she has performed at a number of music festivals with several different bands including at Dauphin’s Countryfest, Harvest Moon Music Festival, Harvest Sun Music Festival, Gentlefest, and many others.
In addition to performing, Caitlin is also an educator who loves teaching her private students in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as well as instructing at a variety of music workshops and camps throughout the year, such as the International Music Camp, Frontier School Division’s Fiddle Jamborees, and Clear Lake Fiddle Camp. When she isn’t making music, you’ll probably find Caitlin reading a book, camping, or playing crib!
Shelby Huston
Fiddle Instructor & Contest Judge
Shelby Huston is a passionate old-time fiddle player from North Dakota who’s been playing music most of her life, often performing alongside her dad, Kevin Huston. The two share a deep love for old-time tunes and can be found playing at festivals and community gatherings all across the region.
Shelby’s love for fiddling has taken her to the stage at events like the Norsk Høstfest, banquets, weddings, festivals, and everywhere in between. She has joined the winner’s circle at contests like the International Music Camp Old-Time Fiddle Contest three times and the Minnesota State Old-Time Fiddle Championship. Since 2022, she’s been teaching and judging at the International Music Camp’s Old-Time Fiddle Workshop and Contest.
When she’s not fiddling with her dad or teaching young players, Shelby keeps busy as Director of Orchestras at Horace High School in West Fargo, ND and gives private violin lessons. She’s also been part of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra since 2017, showcasing her diverse portfolio of classical training.
Shelby’s heart is in the old tunes, and she’s all about keeping the tradition alive, and making it fun, for the next generation.
John Andrus
Banjo Instructor
John Andrus is a retired educator and bluegrass banjo player from Valley City, ND. In 1988 he was one of the founding members of the Western North Dakota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association, an organization that has evolved into the Bluegrass Association of North Dakota (B.A.N.D.). John currently serves as President of B.A.N.D., which is dedicated to preserving and promoting bluegrass music in the region. For several years, John managed the Missouri River Bluegrass Festival at Cross Ranch State Park, ND which began in 1991 and he continues to participate as a volunteer. In 2007, John was recognized by his bluegrass musician peers as The Father of Bluegrass Music in North Dakota.
John has performed with several bluegrass and bluegrass-gospel bands over the years. With his children and a couple friends, the Family Ties Bluegrass Band performed in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada in the 1990’s. His current group is Flatt Mountain Drive, which performs in the Bismarck area.
John’s approach to teaching bluegrass music has changed recently to include more emphasis on learning back-up skills early, allowing learners to participate in jam sessions ASAP. Jamming with like-minded musicians is a powerful motivator for players at any level.
In 2022, John has put together a nine-session Introduction to Bluegrass Music class which recently ran for two-hours each month prior to the B.A.N.D. monthly jam sessions in Valley City. John has continued instruction to early players by hosting a one-hour beginning bluegrass jam/class monthly in Valley City. He has added highlights from that instruction to his on-going banjo teaching.
John is currently participating the North Dakota Council on the Arts Folk & Traditional Arts Apprenticeship as a mentor to a young North Dakota banjo student. He will again be teaching five-string banjo at the International Peace Garden Old Time Fiddlers workshop in June.
Steve Burket
Guitar Instructor
Steve Burket is a guitarist, educator, and performer with over 20 years of experience teaching and making music across a wide range of styles. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he studied jazz guitar and developed a strong foundation in theory, technique, and ensemble performance.
Steve has taught students of all ages and experience levels, focusing on helping each student build confidence, musical understanding, and a genuine love for playing. His teaching philosophy centers on meeting students where they are, blending solid technical fundamentals and music theory with songs and styles that keep students engaged and motivated. He believes that learning music should be challenging, rewarding, and fun.
In addition to teaching, Steve is an active performer and has played with numerous bands throughout the Midwest, including Inside Out String, Diane Miller & the Silver Daggers, the Johnson Family Band, and Kohlrabi Soup. Since May 2024, he has performed as a guitarist with the bluegrass group Kohlrabi Soup, playing regional bluegrass festivals and events.
Music is important to Steve because it provides a lifelong creative outlet and a way to connect with others. Whether teaching a first chord or performing on stage, he values music as a tool for expression, growth, and community.
Steve loves that music is both deeply personal and inherently communal. It’s a lifelong practice that rewards curiosity, discipline, and creativity, while also creating meaningful connections between people of all ages and backgrounds. Steve has been a part of the following ensembles: Kohlrabi Soup (Bluegrass guitar, May 2024-present), The Burket Brothers, Sing, Cicadas, Diane Miller & the Silver Daggers, Inside Out String, and The Johnson Family Band.
When Steve is not teaching or performing, he enjoys spending time with his kids, working on creative projects, taking photos, writing, and tinkering with software and web development. He also loves listening to music, attending live shows, and diving down musical rabbit holes.
Daniel Koulack
Bass & Mandolin Instructor
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 Frailing To Succeed is due to be released in December 2016.
Mat Reimer
Contest Accompanist
Photo & Bio Coming Soon!