Fiddle Camp


2008 Ottawa Valley Fiddle Camp
Registration is now open for the 2008 Fiddle Camp.

When: Friday, June 6th - Sunday, June 8th 2008
Where: RCMP Campsite, Long Island Locks, Manotick, ON
Cost: 1. Room & Board, Tuition, Meals - $330
  2. Tuition, includes catered Meals and snacks - $230
   
For those wishing to register, payment in full is required at this time.
Send cheque to: Sherryl Fitzpatrick,
  125 Prem Circle,
  Nepean, ON, K2J 0C5

* Intermediate Old Tyme and Intermediate Celtic group classes are now full*

 
                                                                    

2008 Fiddle Instructors:

Advanced Beginner Fiddle  

 

Tom Wilkinson was born and raised in Williamstown, Vermont.  He began playing fiddle at age eight.  Tom has won numerous contests throughout

New England and Eastern Canada.  His accomplishments include:

  • 1992 Northeast Regional Intermediate Fiddle Champion
  • 1997 Vermont State Fiddle Champion
  • Top 3 Open Finalist – Maritime Fiddle Contest, NS 98’, 99’, 2001, 2002.

Tom plays a variety of styles including:  Old Time, Down east, Celtic, French Canadian and Western Swing. In 2003, Tom released his debut CD

entitled “Fiddlin’ Around”.  This album is a compilation of original compositions and traditional favorites.

Tom is now passing on the gift of music to others, teaching private and group lessons in Thurman, New York.  Each year Tom is a guest

instructor at the Fiddles on the Tobique Fiddle Camp held in New Brunswick. 

 
Intermediate Fiddle  

Sherryl Fitzpatrick An Ottawa native, Sherryl has been classically trained as well as learning many styles of fiddle music. 

Having over 20 years of teaching experience, she is in high demand as a teacher, fiddle judge, workshop instructor, and fiddle camp

instructor and as a performer.  She has been a guest instructor at numerous fiddle camps, most notably the Canadian Grand Masters

camp 1999-2002, Fiddles on the Tobique Fiddle Camp 2002-2004, 2006-2007; Parrsboro Fiddle Camp, NS 2006-07, Tamworth Fiddle Camp 2005-2007

as well as instructing groups of Native children in Norway House, Manitoba. 

   
Intermediate-Advanced Fiddle  
Gordon Stobbe is considered a master fiddler. His musical interests include traditional music, especially as it is expressed in a

variety of North American fiddle styles. He plays fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and clawhammer banjo. Gordon's performance history

includes 8 seasons as host and musical director of the popular T.V. show Up Home Tonight. He developed a teaching program at

Musicstop's Canadian Conservatory of Music in Halifax, and is a repeat instructor at numerous fiddle workshops and camps across Canada and the United States.

You can find out more about Gordon at www.fiddlebooks.com.

Advanced Fiddle  
Mark Sullivan is a 3x Canadian Open Fiddle Champion (and current!), 3x Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion and

3x Pembroke Open Fiddle Champion.  Mark has captured every major award in the Canadian Fiddle Contest scene and is

now travelling the country performing, teaching and promoting the Canadian style.  With his Old Time Fiddling roots, his

unique style blends the lyricism of Irish, rhythms of French Canadian and the creativity of Swing, while paying homage to

his heroes of Canadian Fiddling.  Mark has shared the stage with some of the finest musicians in his field and is now sought

after as a studio musician, accompanist (guitar) and fiddle judge.  Please visit www.marksullivan.ca for more information on

Mark, his schedule and recordings.

Intermediate Celtic

Terri-Lynn Mahusky a native of Renfrew, Ontario started step dancing at the age of 3 and learning the fiddle at the age of 10.

She has competed in numerous competitions throughout Ontario, including the Canadian Grand Masters where she has placed in the top 11.

She has toured Europe with the O.P.P. Bearhug Band in 2002 where they entertained Canadian and American troups.

She has also toured across Ontario, Quebec and the U.S. with Gilles Roy and The Stepping Ambassadors.  She is in demand as a fiddle camp teacher,

workshop instructor and judge at fiddle and step dance competitions.  She currently hosts the Sunday afternoon radio show on Heritage Radio 98.7FM

and is performing with the band "The Riverthieves".  She has two recordings at present and is working on a third this summer.

This is Terri-Lynn's first time at the Ottawa Valley Fiddle Camp and we welcome her!

 Advanced Celtic  
James Stephens is known for his work both as a performer and producer/recording engineer.  In performance, he plays a

multitude of stringed instruments with an emphasis on fiddling.  James has worked extensively with many bands such as Fat Man Waving,

The Black Donnellys, Terry Tufts, Ian Tamblyn, Jennifer Noxon.  He can presently be found performing with traditionally

influenced groups such as The Brian Pickell Band, Finest Kind, Ecosse and JIIG to name a few.  James has co-produced

and engineered recordings with all of these musicians as well as such others as Pierre Schryer (Blue Drag - Nominated for a 2004

Juno Award), Lynn Miles (2003 Juno winner), Denis Lanctot, Danny O'Connell.  We are pleased to welcome James to the camp!

French Canadian

Jacquelin Guerette (Quebec City)

 

Advanced Piano  

KIMBERLEY HOLMES

Kimberley has been playing the piano since the age of five, and the fiddle since 1984.  She has been the house accompanist on piano for both the

Maritime Old-Time Fiddle Contest and the Downeast Old-Time Fiddle Contest for many years. 

She is also well known for her fiddle playing.  She won first in the group class with Dave Bagnell in 1987, and with Jocelyn Bourque in 1993,

both at the Maritime Old-Time Fiddle Contest.  Most recently, Kimberley won first place in the duet class in 2002 with Samantha Robichaud. 

She has worked with such artists as Graham and Eleanor Townsend, Richard Wood, Winnie Chafe, Alasdair Fraser, and April Verch among others,

and has appeared on a long list of recordings by such artists as Richard Wood, Jocelyn Bourque, Ray Legere, J.P. Cormier, Tara Lynne Touesnard and

Gordon Stobbe, Peter Dawson, Sherryl Fitzpatrick and Kelli Trottier.  

Kimberley has been a guest instructor on both piano and fiddle at numerous workshops and fiddle camps, most notably the Fiddles on the

Tobique Fiddle Camp in New Brunswick 2002 and 2003 as well as at the Gaelic College in Cape Breton in 1990. 

Kimberley has toured Canada and the U.S. with the April Verch Band, and is currently a member of Lochaber, a Celtic group based in Nova Scotia.

Beginner - Intermediate Piano

 

 

 

Geoff Horrocks is a "by ear" player. He plays Piano, Fiddle and Guitar and is delighted to be teaching piano at this years camp. Geoff has played shows

with some of Canada's great musicians including Mark Sullivan, Patti Lamoureux, Gordon Stobbe, Calvin Vollrath, Shane cook, Jacinthe Trudeau

and numerous other gifted, inspiring and talented players. 

Geoff enjoys the thrill of accompanying fiddle players. He loves to try to inspire and motivate fiddle players by creating interesting chord arrangements

"on the fly".  Geoff writes -  " I like to feed off of the mood and energy created by the fiddler. Their playing directly affects how I feel and what I will ultimately play."

He is involved in several recording projects and teaches at fiddle camps across Canada and privately at his home in Ottawa. "I am honoured to be 

able to help people improve and become more confident in their playing. Music is a gift to be developed and shared with all".

 

 Message from Sherryl Fitzpatrick 2007: (Pictures to follow soon!)

Firstly, I wish to thank all the students who came this year.  We could not possibly run a fiddle camp without your dedication and love of the music.   I also wish to thank all the instructors who did an excellent job once again.  Many thanks to all those who volunteered setting up chairs, moving pianos, organizing the audition, selling tickets, etc.  I couldn't have done it without all your help! 

This year, the money that was received for the instructor's concert went directly to a school in Kanata, March Academy.  This is a school that teaches children with learning differences.   We managed to raise $500.00 which will be going into their music program!  The principal, Kerry Armitage, and one of the primary teachers, Cathy Smith, were on hand to receive the donation and to answer questions from parents.  For more information about Kerry Armitage and March Academy, I would encourage you look on their website at www.marchacademy.ca

Plans are already underway for the 2008 Ottawa Valley Fiddle Camp.  Please mark your calendars for June 6,7,8, 2008 at the RCMP Campsite, Long Island Locks, Manotick.  I will be sending out advance registration for those who were at the 2007 camp in October. 

I hope you all have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you again at the 2008 Ottawa Valley Fiddle Camp…Ahhhhhh  Yeehaw!!

 


Message from Sherryl Fitzpatrick: 

I wish to thank all of you who came to participate as students, parents who volunteered to help organize, set up chairs, facilitate the audition and sending me pictures of the camp etc.  The camp would not have run as smoothly without your invaluable help and contributions.  Thank you for taking the time to help.  It was very much appreciated. 

Many many thanks for all your monetary donations towards the two charities that I selected this year.  Money continued to pour in after the weekend was over.  We managed to raise $200.00 for the Ottawa Palliative Care Outreach Program and $280.00 for the ADHD Foundation.  Both foundations were extremely touched to have received this money and with our help they are able to continue to reach out to members of our community.  I can’t thank each of you enough for how you have touched the hearts of others!   

If you would like more information on these two foundations, please go to: 

www.adhdfoundation.ca; and/or www.palliativeoutreach.org

   

Plans are already underway for the 2007 Ottawa Valley Fiddle Camp.  Please mark your calendars for June 8, 9, 10, 2007 at the RCMP Campsite, Long Island Locks, Manotick.  I will be sending out advance registration for those who were at the 2006 camp in October. 

I hope you all have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you again at the 2007 Ottawa Valley Fiddle Camp…Ahhhhhh  Yeehaw!!

 Sherryl Fitzpatrick

 

June 2006

 

2006 Fiddle Camp

 

Instructors:

 

Sherryl's Class
Alexis' Class

Fiddle camp 2005 was a great success
 

I believe as a student, a teacher and a director that we must provide the highest standard of teaching to bring out the full potential of each student.  I am so thankful that many of the instructors were able to teach for the camp this year.  I was impressed not only with their playing abilities but also with their teaching techniques.  A fiddle camp wouldn't be successful without the students so I wish to thank all the students who attended.  Some students traveled many miles to attend and I thank you for that.  Thank you also to the parents who believe in this great art form and have been dedicated and committed to ensure their child continues with their musical education.   It was a pleasure working with everyone and to see your smiling faces especially during the square dance!   Thank you to Manon Campbell for being the camp nurse.   Thank you to Gerry Labelle for allowing us to use such a great facility.  Last but not least, thank you to Chris and Kathy Noxon for providing excellent meals and keeping all of our tummies happy! 
 
Cheers,
 
Sherryl


Photos from this past fiddle camp are below (click to enlarge).


 

June 2005

 

Everybody! Everybody! The Instructors The Instructors: Kelli Trottier, Troy MacGillivray, Skip Holmes, Kendra MacGillivray, Tom Wilkinson, Sherryl Fitzpatrick, Patti Lamoureux, Gordon Stobbe.
Gordon Stobbe's Class Gordon Stobbe's class: Roger, Turney, Lena, Loretta, Terry, Ron B., Sarah, Ron C., Marg, Gordon, Meaghan, Urs Kelli Trottier's Class Kelli Trottier's Class: Andrew, Dale, Tierney, Kelli, Jana
Kendra MacGillivray's Class Kendra MacGillivray's Class: Alton, Gillian, Erin, Beth, Sarah, Kendra, Ian, Peter, Alex, Sam Patti Lamoureux's Class Patti Lamoureux's Class: Sarah, Cindy, Del, Peggy, Patti, Dick, Debbie, Manon, Karen, Rosalie, Judy
Skip Holmes' Class Skip Holmes' Class: Kris, Skip, Mike, Jonathan Tom Wilkinson's Class Tom Wilkinson's Class: Tom, Rick, Joel, Lyndsay, Joey, Meaghan, Ron H, Kristin, Matt, Erin, Rebecca
Troy MacGillivray's Class Troy MacGillivray's Class: Troy, Kelsey, Ashley, Allen, Pam