Fiddle workshop with Natalya Zoe Weinstein

Saturday June 8th

Westport Town Hall at 12pm

Admission: €10

Traditional Bluegrass Fiddle Workshop:

Bluegrass fiddling combines many diverse styles such as jazz, blues and old-time dance tunes. In addition, many tunes from the British Isles travelled with immigrants to America and made their way into the bluegrass repertoire. In this workshop, we'll discuss some of the distinct characteristics of first generation bluegrass fiddlers from the 1940s, such as Arthur Smith and pioneering bluegrass fiddler Jim Shumate. We'll also learn a tune or two, so bring your fiddle!

Natalya Zoe Weinstein is an accomplished violinist/fiddler and teacher in a variety of styles such as old-time, bluegrass and klezmer. Natalya was classically trained in her home state of Massachusetts before moving to Asheville, North Carolina in 2004. Her father is a master jazz pianist and her grandfather David Weinstein, originally from Russia, was a professional klezmer musician. Performing at many prestigious festivals and events all across the country, Natalya is also a champion fiddler, winning old-time and bluegrass contests in both the North and South. She is also an instructor in the traditional music program at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC where she founded the school’s first klezmer ensemble. Natalya holds an MA in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University, where her thesis was on the diverse roots of bluegrass fiddling.