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2010 Workshop Instructors

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 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 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 from Swan River, Manitoba. He has been playing the fiddle for near 30 years, and along the way has picked up the guitar, banjo, mandolin, etc. His main styles are Metis, old-time and bluegrass, among others.

Over the last couple of years he has ventured into music production, completing three independent releases in 2002, 2006 and a very popular  project of traditional tunes in 2008. He very much enjoys this aspect of the music industry and has produced recording projects for many other clients as well.

For the last several years, he has worked as an instructor in the school system, teaching many students the art of fiddling, mostly in the Metis style. He also teaches a number of private students out of his home, as well as judging fiddling competitions, conducting fiddling workshops, playing for dancers and playing with several bands.

PATTI LAMOUREUX – Courtenay, British Columbia 
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.  Excited to be soon residing again in her home province of Manitoba, Patti continues to be in demand at many fiddle camps and performance venues throughout Canada.

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.  Calvin is a veteran recognized for his performing, teaching, judging, and composing abilities.

GORDON STOBBE – Head of Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia
Intermediate – East Coast Style                    
Gordon Stobbe master fiddler, teacher and composer developed and continues to teach a program at the Long and McQuade Educational Centre in Halifax of Music in Halifax. Gordon’s performance history includes theatre, radio host, television host, composing and recording scores for CBC dramas, producing and performing on other artist’s recordings, as well as composing and recording his own compositions. He is a publisher of fiddle music and instructional books and recordings. Gordon is in demand for workshops, camps, and music retreats across Canada.

SHAMMA SABIR – Abbotsford,  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 five time Grand Saskatchewan Fiddle Champion, a three time Western Canadian Amateur Fiddle Champion and was selected as a Saskatchewan contestant at the prestigious Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships in Nepean, Ontario from 1990-1995. He keeps active as a judge, guest entertainer, and camp instructor, and is also a member of the Cleavers, a well known fiddle group in Saskatchewan that has made some recordings.

FAY MACKENZIE– Orlillia, 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 10 years, and we are so pleased to again have her back in the capacity of an instructor.

JIGGING INSTRUCTORS

RAYMOND SHUMI – Tisdale, Saskatchewan
Intermediate
Raymond has many Jigging awards to his name, including Overall Grand Champion in the Canadian 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 three years now and received much positive feedback about his methods and his way of teaching.  We are glad to have him back!

STEWART GREYEYES - Marcelin, Saskatchewan
Beginner
Stewart has to his credit three championship titles for Red River Jigging at Back to Batoche Days and has danced with several groups.  He is now serving as a Councilor for the Muskeg Lake Band and is married to Tracy and they have 6 children. Stewart has led the Red River Jigging workshops for us the past three years and his classes are much sought after.  His manner and ability to translate the method and the history make him an excellent instructor.

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, and 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 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 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 ninth year of their own annual event, the Pelletier Guitar and Music Camp, every July-August.  The Pelletier’s have recorded 12 CD's, two teaching videos and a brand new book/CD called "Pick the Guitar Like a Pelletier".

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!  Clinton has a solo album and is in much demand with several bands and spends a lot of time touring. >>(delete last sentences)<<

PIANO WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS

LIONEL GILBERTSON – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Beginner
Lionel has been involved in music since he was 5 years old. He is constantly in demand for accompaniment and practice rooms at many festivals. He has instructed Piano workshops for us for the past three years and we are very glad to have him back.  Lionel enjoys working with the young fiddlers to promote and encourage the future. He is a very capable, patient, and helpful instructor and the beginners relate well to his method of teaching.  He will also be performing the duties of practice room accompanist again this year.  

TRENT BRUNER – Canwood, Saskatchewan
Advanced
Trent began his musical involvement at age 12 with piano lessons. He holds bachleor degrees in elementary classroom education and elementary music educationfrom the University of Saskatchewan (majoring in piano) and a masters degree in ethnomusicology from the University of Bergen.
Trent has taught piano accompaniment and conducted workshops at fiddle and music camps since 1990.  He regularly accompanies many of the top fiddle players on their tours, is much sought after as a house accompanist and does a lot of work as a backup artist on recordings.  Trent is a Festival regular – serving in the capacity as House Accompanist and has taught the advanced piano workshops for the past two years.  He is extremely qualified and extremely capable.