let's play the
blues!
At Fiddle School's Winter Blues Weekend (Online), you'll learn:
It’s expressive, it's creative, it's deep, and it’s at the heart and soul of all the genres we love: jazz, bluegrass, Western Swing, rock n’ roll, and country.
Plus, explore the blues vocabulary of early 20th-century fiddlers such as Lonnie Johnson and Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith, the expressive Dixieland horn phrasing epitomized by Louis Armstrong, the driving, exuberant rhythms of big band shout choruses, and more…
- A bunch of classic blues songs
- Key moveable blues improv finger shapes
- Key scales, licks, and language
- Blues licks in all positions (includes shifting)
- How to unlock blues melodies
- How to play freely over 12-bar blues
- Boogie woogie and other backups
friday, january 30
saturday, january 31
sunday, february 1
picture it.
one cozy weekend at home.
improv tools for a lifetime.
saturday, january 31
9:30 Blues Fiddle Workout
10:00 Coffee & Blues Sing-Along*
10:45 Break
11:00 Core Class #2
12:30 Lunch Break
1:30 Core Teacher Elective
2:30 Break
4:00 Blues Coffeehouse*
5:30 Break
6:00 Interview with a Fiddle Legend... Stay tuned!*
all times are in pacific time.
*Included for Half-Day Campers.
meet your teachers
(Venice, CA) is a renowned and decorated Western Swing & Texas-style fiddler, an accomplished singer and songwriter, and highly sought-after educator.
As a fiddler and vocalist for Katie Glassman and Snapshot, she recorded multiple acclaimed albums blending the blues, Western swing, jazz, and old-time Texas fiddling. She also toured and recorded with the nationally celebrated trio The Western Flyers, performing on stages across the U.S. and abroad, earning recognition as Academy of Western Artists' Vocalist of the Year, and 6 national fiddle titles.
As the founder of Fiddle School, Katie created a groundbreaking approach to learning: the first step-by-step, seven-pillar method for fiddling. Since 2018, her innovative online academy has guided thousands of fiddlers worldwide to develop artistry, fluency, and confidence in old-time Texas fiddling, Western Swing, and early jazz.
katie glassman
(Berkeley, CA) is a blues fiddler and vocalist who has spent the past 50 years delving deep into pre-war blues fiddling, Louisiana Cajun and Creole dance music and hillbilly blues and ragtime fiddling. Her blues fiddling was highlighted on Geoff Muldaur’s “Texas Sheiks” album; she has also worked with Maria Muldaur, Jim Kweskin, Del Rey and Steve James, and many other roots music greats.
Suzy apprenticed in Louisiana with Cajun master fiddler Dewey Balfa and spent 20 years playing dances with Danny Poullard and the California Cajun Orchestra, recording two award-winning albums for Arhoolie Records. During the pandemic she created an online old time fiddle instruction series called Fiddles at Four, and has been an in-person fiddle instructor at Centrum’s Country Blues Week, Black Pot Camp, Augusta Cajun-Creole Week, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Alabama Folkschool and many other camps and festivals.
suzy thompson
Described by Zac Brown as “a mad scientist with a five-string fiddle,” Casey Driessen is a GRAMMY-nominated fiddle player known for his experimental and collaborative approach. In the fall of 2024, Driessen launched Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp, an immersive experience for adventurous fiddlers and violinists focusing on rhythm, technology, and style at the beautiful Brevard Music Center. Camp dates for 2026 are Aug. 19-22, culminating with the Fiddle Forward concert showcasing faculty and students. Applications are open Jan. 14-Mar. 14.
His latest project, Otherlands: A Global Music Exploration, is a travelogue of on-location recordings, films, and journals documenting musical collaborations across the globe including Spain, Scotland, Ireland, India, Japan, Finland, Italy and Czechia. Previously, he served as Program Director of the Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration) master’s degree at Berklee College of Music’s Valencia campus, where he co-created The Chop Notation Project to standardize percussive bowing notation. Over the past 20 years, Driessen has released four solo records, toured with his one-man show The Singularity, and collaborated with notable artists in 22 countries and counting, all while wearing red shoes.
casey driessen
Katie Shore grew up with Texas-style fiddling and attended Johnny Gimble, Mark O'Connor, and Randy Elmore music camps. After moving to Austin, Texas, in 2008, Katie played with various local bands, including The Jitterbug Vipers, Continental Graffiti, and Ghosts Along the Brazos. In 2014, she became an integral part of Asleep at the Wheel for 8 years, sharing the stage with Willie Nelson, George Strait, and many of her other musical heroes. Katie is currently leading her own band, teaching camps, and making friends in music communities across the nation.
katie shore
guided blues
practice
plan
Quick & Easy
Improvisation Tools
Small Classes
with renowned
Teachers
end-of-camp Blues Coffeehouse
Blues Fiddle
Jams, Workouts & Sing-Alongs
keynote speaker
interview
favorite!
why you'll love it
- margie g., CAlifornia
Fantastic weekend jam-packed with fun and knowledge. Fiddle school even managed to create a warm supportive community using Zoom! I can hardly wait for the next camp!
- Mary K., Kansas
It's an incredible value, considering all the material and saved money for travel and accommodations.
We got top-notch teachers [and] connections with friends I'm sure we'll know and love forever. It was well organized, and in all ways supportive, encouraging, fun fiddling!
- Eric M., colorado
one heck of a good time!
I really enjoyed the content and getting to know all the people attending. I am definitely a better fiddler today than I was last Friday!
- Emily W., Colorado
It's so nice to take the time to learn about origins of music you love. whether you're looking for new material or getting a different perspective on what you already know, it's all there when you get together with others who have a similar passion.
- susumu o., japan
the Schedule for evening participants is well considered and suitable for residents in East Asia like me.
Who it's for
Adult Fiddlers (18+) with experience of:
1.5+ years
beginning improvisers
3-6 years
intermediate
improvisers
7+ years
advanced improvisers
Pricing
full day camper: $700
half day camper: $375
Payment plans available. Contact us for more information.
Perfect for fiddlers in faraway time zones!