FIDDLE INSTRUCTORS

JOHN ARCAND – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Intermediate – Métis Style 
Internationally known as the “Master of the Métis Fiddle”, John is adamant about preserving the Métis culture and heritage. He’s in demand as an instructor at many Fiddle Camps throughout Canada and also has a private student base that he teaches on his acreage just south of Saskatoon. He has been the recipient of many awards for his life’s work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Grand Masters and the most recent and most impressive being “The Order of Canada” in 2008. John keeps a very active performing, touring, teaching, and judging schedule. 

DANIEL GERVAIS – St. Paul, Alberta 
Daniel is a young Métis man that began playing at the early age of 5.  He plays a variety of fiddle styles and classical violin. He is currently working towards a B.Mus at the University of Alberta as well as performing, recording, and teaching.  Daniel is involved and has toured with several different groups such as EclecTrip, Trad'badour and Hot Club Edmonton and is no stranger to the John Arcand Fiddle Fest.  He was the very first youth player ever showcased at the festival and is allowing the festival’s mandate to come full circle by appearing as an instructor.

DESMOND LAGACE – Swan Lake, Manitoba 
Beginner - Métis and Old Time
Desmond Lagace is a self-taught musician. He has been playing the fiddle for over 30 years and along the way has picked up the guitar, banjo, mandolin, etc. His main styles are Metis, old-time and bluegrass. Over the last couple of years he has ventured into music production and enjoys this aspect of the music industry as well. He works as an instructor in the Manitoba school system, teaching many students the art of fiddling, mostly in the Metis style. He also plays with several dance bands, and is in demand for judging, conducting workshops and playing for dancers.

PATTI LAMOUREUX – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Intermediate- Métis/Old Time
Although not Métis, Patti is no stranger to the Red River Style of Fiddling and traditional Métis tunes. Born and raised in the Manitoba Red River area, Patti has been performing these tunes for many years.  Patti continues to be in demand at many fiddle camps and performance venues as well as keeping a full roster of private students. 

CALVIN VOLLRATH – St. Paul, Alberta
Advanced – Metis and Old Time                     
Calvin is a veteran recognized for his performing, teaching, judging and composing abilities. His impact on the fiddle world is impressive.  He has a natural musical knowledge and an unparalleled gift for creating music. His compositions are complex, yet still respect the tradition of old time fiddle. 

GORDON STOBBE – Head of Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia 
Intermediate – East Coast Style                     
Gordon Stobbe is a master fiddler, teacher and composer. He developed and continues to teach a program at the Long and McQuade Educational Centre of Music in Halifax. Gordon’s performance history includes theatre, radio host, television host, and composer. He is a publisher of very popular fiddle music and instructional books and recordings. Gordon is in demand for workshops, camps, and music retreats across Canada.

SHAMMA SABIR – Kelowna, British Columbia
Intermediate – Celtic and Old Time
Shamma is one of the four talented Sabir Sisters, who together comprise one of the funkiest Celtic groups, with a home base in old time fiddle.  She was the first and youngest female nominee ever to be invited to the Canadian Grand Masters Championships and placed in Canada's top ten in Ottawa. Shamma is a prolific writer and is much sought after for fiddle camps and festivals. 

RODNEY KRIP – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Intermediate – French Canadian/ Old Time
Rodney began his musical involvement at age 8, and began competing in old time fiddle contests at age 11. He is a 5 time Saskatchewan Fiddle Champion, a 3 time Western Canadian Amateur Fiddle Champion and was selected as a Saskatchewan contestant at the prestigious Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships from 1990-1995. He keeps active as a judge and guest entertainer and is also a member of the Cleavers, a well known fiddle group in Saskatchewan that has made some recordings. 

FAY MACKENZIE– Orillia, Ontario
Absolute Beginner
Fay is an elementary School Teacher at Mnjikaning Kendaaswin Elementary School at Chippewas of Rama First Nation, in Ontario. She is a member of the folk band "Alex" and she loves to fiddle. A qualified fiddle instructor, she has a slate of private students and also teaches fiddle and square dancing to her school students. Fay is no stranger to the John Arcand Fiddle Fest as an avid fiddle fan she has been here for the past 11 years, and we are so pleased to again have her back in the capacity of an instructor. 

JIGGING INSTRUCTORS 

STEWART GREYEYES - Marcelin, Saskatchewan
Beginner 
Stewart has Red River Jigging Championship titles to his credit and is very knowledgeable about the “traditional method” of the dance. Stewart has led the beginner Red River Jigging workshops for us the last four years and his classes are much sought after.  His manner and ability to translate the method and the history make him an excellent instructor.

RAYMOND SHUMI – Tisdale, Saskatchewan
Intermediate 
Raymond has many Jigging awards to his name, including Overall Grand Champion in the Traditional Red River Jigging Championships at the John Arcand Fiddle Fest three times.  Raymond dances in the traditional way and is very approachable and willing to share. We have had Raymond as an instructor for several years now and received much positive feedback about his methods and his way of teaching.  We are glad to have him back!

YVONNE CHARTRAND – Vancouver, British Columbia
Advanced/Intermediate 
Yvonne was born a Manitoba Métis, and her passion and dedication to the preservation of the traditional Métis dances is quite evident. Yvonne has been the Artistic Director of Compaigni V’ni Dansi (meaning “Come and Dance” in Michif) since 2000. This includes a traditional Métis group, The Louis Riel Métis Dancers. This group keeps an active performance schedule, as does Yvonne. No stranger to the John Arcand Fiddle Fest; in 2005 and 2006 she won the Women’s category in the Canadian Traditional Red River Jigging Championships and in 2007 was awarded Overall Grand Champion. We are proud to add her to the roster of instructors for the Traditional Red River Jigging workshops.

GUITAR WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS 

FREDDIE & SHEILA PELLETIER – Birchhills, Saskatchewan 
Beginner and Intermediate
Freddie and Sheila are a unique husband/wife guitar and singing duo that have spent many years together playing in bands but traded in their electric instruments for a pair of antique parlor guitars and now prefer to perform in a concert style setting for shows and festivals.  This family is in their tenth year of their own annual event, the Pelletier Guitar and Music Camp held every July-August.  The Pelletier’s have many recordings to their credit.

CLINTON PELLETIER – Edmonton, Alberta
Advanced
Clinton, an amazing guitar virtuoso will often join his parents, Freddie and Shelia, giving their show a wonderful family aspect!  He is involved in the Pelletier Guitar Camp and always looks forward to working with the young people to pass on his knowledge. Clinton is a music producer, recording for many folks, including his family and his own solo release. He is also part of Hot Club Edmonton, Electrip and in demand with several other bands.