Emily Schaad
Old Time Fiddle
Emily Schaad is known for a complex and powerful fiddling style, and has taken first place in numerous stringband and fiddle contests, including the Appalachian Stringband Music Festival in Clifftop, WV. Emily came to the music of the southern Appalachians as a classical violist and public school string teacher, and once the archaic and driving sound of the fiddle and banjo found her, she never looked back. Originally from the Hudson Valley of New York State, she relocated to western North Carolina to study Appalachian culture and music at Appalachian State University. She was fortunate enough to spend time visiting with such old-time music greats as Clyde Davenport, Benton Flippen, Joe Thompson, and Chester MacMillian. From these seasoned musicians came a varied repertoire, a feel for Round Peak rhythm, and cherished stories and memories.
She is sought after as an instructor for old-time music camps and workshops, blending a grounding in Appalachian tradition with instrumental pedagogy. She has performed and taught at such festivals as The Swannanoa Gathering, Ashokan Fiddle and Dance, Falling Waters Music Camp, Pickathon, and Bluff Country Gathering. She is currently artistic director and conductor of Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestras and Greenville County Youth Orchestras, and is active professionally as a symphony musician.
www.blueridgebroadcasters.com/bio
WORKSHOPS:
Dressing up some common fiddle tunes (Adv Beg/Int): We will add some rhythmic bow licks into some fiddle tunes you might already know. We will stay in standard tuning for this class (GDAE).
Effective Practice Habits (All Levels): Are you stuck in your exploration of your instrument? Hoping to open up your style or technique? Just want to talk a little nerd? I'll give you a few tips that guide me in my practicing as a classical musician and fiddler, and spend the rest of the session on Q&A. We'll focus on strategies for practicing rather than specific instrument techniques.
Tunes from Benton Flippen (Int/Adv): I was lucky to get to spend some time with Mr. Flippen in his later years at his home in Surry County, NC. I will teach one of his tunes in standard (GDAE) tuning, play a few others "to go," and talk about his signature slippery style of fingering and bowing.
Tunes in Cross A (Int/Adv): We'll break apart a tune in cross A tuning (AEAE) from one of my favorite fiddlers. I'll focus here on incorporating some rhythmic bowing that highlights this open tuning. We will move quickly (int-adv level) but I am happy to provide moral support if this is your first cross-tuning experience.
Considering Chords in String Band Music - Band Workshop with Debra Clifford (All Levels): A discussion of chord choices to back up fiddle tunes. We will choose a few tunes to show you some different options, and talk about what we consider when we make these choices in a band. Bring your questions--we'd love for this to be a discussion.