The 7th Annual Fiddle Fest, hosted by the Gilbert Town Fiddlers in conjunction with ASTA-AZ and Highland HS, is a day for string students and teachers alike to explore different fiddling traditions from around the world. All ability levels on bowed string instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass) are welcome. It will be a packed day of fun tunes, new techniques, grooving, and performances from students and professionals!

Guest Artists

Brad Phillips is a violinist, fiddler, mandolinist, guitarist and vocalist based in southeast Michigan. He holds a bachelors degree in Jazz Studies, as well as a masters in Improvisation, both from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where he now serves as a Resident Artist in the Chamber Music department, teaching roots music and improvisation. Brad has appeared on stage with the likes of Jeff Daniels, The Verve Pipe, Joshua Davis from NBC’s The Voice, Stevie Wonder, the late Aretha Franklin, Pat Metheny, Celtic-rock super-group The Elders, and has worked on numerous professional theatre productions at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, MI, as well as independent film projects. Also known as an accomplished record producer, arranger, composer, and teacher, Brad is in high demand locally and across the country for his authenticity as an artist and refined skills that span a wide range of the musical spectrum. His first solo recording project with his ensemble, The Roots Music Strings, will be released in early 2019.

Schedule

8:30 Registration

9:00 Workshops & Classes

12:00 Lunch (provided)

1:00 Culmination Concert with Guest Artists

Co-Chaired by Taylor Morris and Sara Duce, Directors of the Gilbert Town Fiddlers

Hailed by a class of 2nd graders as “wreely nice and kind” and “the coolest man on erth,” Arizona native Taylor Morris enjoys blurring the line between being a violinist and a fiddler. After studying classical violin at Arizona State University with Dr. Katie McLin, he spent four years touring the world as one of five fiddlers with “Barrage,” a Canadian-based, world music violin troupe. His travels, both with Barrage and personally, have led to performances in 48 states and 13 countries with musicians from a multitude of backgrounds. Offstage, Taylor obtained a master’s in education from Harvard University and is a passionate advocate for arts education. He co-founded and co-directs the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, teaches as a Guest Lecturer at ASU, maintains a private violin studio in Chandler, and regularly works with students and educators around the country to explore the violin’s unique relevance to a variety of genres.

Sara Duce grew up in Mesa and began playing the viola at the age of 8. After fiddling in the Mesa Public School program, she continued playing fiddle on her own and began performing with hot local country bands. Sara loves the fusion of many different fiddle styles. Sara holds degrees in music education from both ASU and NAU and has worked locally as a fiddling clinician. Her credits include fiddle instructor at the ASU Herberger College for Kids summer workshops, the Tempe district’s Sky-Y fiddle retreats, the Arizona String Teachers fiddle workshop for teachers, and improvisation specialist for the Scottsdale District Honor Orchestra with guest artist Mark Wood. Sara co-founded and co-directs the Gilbert Town Fiddlers and teaches orchestra at Greenfield Junior High in the Gilbert School District where her enthusiastic string students continue to earn superior ratings at state competitions.

Registration: $35 for students (includes lunch and t-shirt); free for teachers