Join Melanie Dodarai, Zachary Moostoos-Willier and Jarred Albright as they walk the kids through fiddle songs and techniques, with a closing performance on the NBCMS Stage!
Saturday: 9:30 am to 12 Noon
Performance at 1:00 pm
A fiddle academy just for kids aged 4 to 18
Sponsored by
RiverCity is pleased to present
our Kid Fiddle Academy instructors:
• Melanie Doderai
• Zachary Moostoos-Willier
• Jarred Albright
Instruction begins on Saturday morning at 9:30 am to 12 noon, a break for lunch, then a class performance on the RiverCity Stage at 1:00 pm (students are encouraged to take a seat in the concert area after their performance).
Registration fee: $60 includes one child plus lunch and one adult Saturday pass.
$20 per additional child. Additional family members must purchase a Saturday pass for $40 each.
Chaperones must attend with younger children. With older children, the chaperones are not expected to remain in class but are expected to be on site and will be asked for contact information.
Students must have access to and be familiar with a fiddle. Please bring your instrument.
KID FIDDLE ACADEMY APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Please submit a video recorded specifically for this application. Note: We will not accept old videos or videos of the applicant performing on stage.
These videos will not be made public and are only for class placement purposes. The ages are only a guide and applicants will be placed in the classes by the instructors.The child must bring their own instrument.
Skill level recommendations:
• Beginner (Melanie Doderai, ages 4-7) a chaperone needs to attend – children should to be able to play a song
equivalent to Hot Cross Buns. the ability to play rhythmic bowing patterns would be an asset.
• Intermediate (Zachery Moostoos-Willier, ages 7-12) chaperone needs to be on sight – children should be able to already
play 2-3 fiddle/violin tunes.
• Advanced (Jarred Albright ages 13-18) chaperone needs to be on sight – children should be able to already play 2-3
fiddle/violin tunes up to tempo.
QUESTIONS? FORWARD VIDEOS - Please email carolynhotte@gmail.com
Kid Fiddle Academy Instructors
Melanie Doderai
Melanie is a passionate musician, educator, and performer with a love for inspiring the next generation of fiddlers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Education, along with an Advanced Specialist Certification from the Royal Conservatory of Music. An active member of the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association, she has also published theory books for string instruments through Mel Bay Publications.
Melanie teaches at many fiddle camps across Alberta, including those hosted by the Alberta Society of Fiddlers and the Wild Rose Fiddle Association. Kids’ fiddle is one of her greatest joys, and her students love the energy, fun, and encouragement she brings to her teaching. Melanie currently works as an early childhood music specialist with Elk Island Catholic Schools, maintains a thriving private studio, and frequently adjudicates, leads workshops, and directs music camps.
We are thrilled to welcome Melanie back to our camp and know her passion, talent, and warmth will inspire our young fiddlers.
www.silkandstrings.ca
Zachary Moostoos-Willier
Zach is a 20-year-old Indigenous singer, songwriter, musician, and actor who comes from Sucker Creek First Nation, AB. Zach currently is attending East Tennessee State University in Johnson City Tennessee, studying for his degree in Bluegrass and Country music.
Zach has ten years experience as a professional roots’ musician, seven years experience acting and performing in various plays and musicals. He was asked by the Royal Canadian National Geographic Society to represent Western Canada for the launch of the UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages in Ottawa. He was one of the two first recipients to receive the Stirling John Foundation support for Indigenous youth in Alberta.
We are pleased to have Zach join our Kid Fiddle Academy this year. He brings a wealth of talent and information to share with the kids.
Jarred Albright
Jarred has played the violin since he was seven years old, and music has been his focus ever since. He discovered the joys of fiddle style and spent his early years with the Calgary Fiddlers performing over a hundred times a year before entering post-secondary to pursue jazz performance at Grant MacEwan University.
Since then, Jarred has endeavored to teach himself to sing and play mandolin, guitar, and banjo. Music has taken him around the world including the United States, South Korea, England, Scotland, and Ireland. These days Jarred keeps busy performing with many diverse local acts, recording and producing from his home studio, ceaselessly practicing, and sharing his love of music with his students.
We are excited to add an older age group and have Jarred to share his love with The Kid Fiddle Academy focusing on the 13–18 year-olds.
jarredalbright.com
