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2008 Workshop Instructors

FIDDLE INSTRUCTORS

JOHN ARCAND – Saskatoon, SK 
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, AB 
Beginner – Métis Style
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/B.Ed. at the University of Alberta as well as performing, recording, and teaching.  Daniel has toured with several different groups 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, MB 
Beginner - Métis and Old Time
Desmond began playing fiddle at the age of 12 under the guidance of his father, Gus. From there he rapidly progressed into the fiddle contest scene where he won several major junior competitions. Desmond has played with many different bands covering a wide variety of musical styles over the past 15 years, but stays true to his Métis roots. He began teaching fiddle music several years ago and presently runs a fiddle program in the Swan Valley School Division in Manitoba. He has released two recordings and is in demand as a backup fiddler and recording engineer.

PATTI KUSTUROK/LAMOUREUX - Comox, BC 
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.  Recently she and her family moved to BC - where she works as a host on a Radio Morning show and continues to teach private students. She is also in demand at many fiddle camps and performance venues throughout Canada.

CALVIN VOLLRATH – St. Paul, AB
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.

GORD STOBBE – Head of Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia
Intermediate – East Coast Style                    
Gord Stobbe: master fiddler, teacher and composer developed and continues to teach a program at the Canadian Conservatory of Music in Halifax. Gord’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. Gord is in demand for work-shops, camps, and music retreats across Canada.

SHAMMA SABIR – Regina, SK
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, SK
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 – Coldwater, ON 
Absolute Beginner
Fay is an elementary School Teacher at Mnjikaning Kendaaswin Elementary School at Mnjikaning 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 9 years, and we are so pleased to again have her back in the capacity of an instructor. Fay is just the person to teach the basics in our Absolute Beginners Class.

JIGGING INSTRUCTORS

RAYMOND SHUMI – Tisdale, SK
Beginner
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, SK
Intermediate
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.

KATHLEEN STEINHAUER– Saddle Lake Cree Nation, AB
Advanced
Kathleen proudly states she’s from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, but resides in Edmonton with her husband to be closer to her grandchildren.  This respected elder is one of the finest traditional dancers we’ve ever seen.  We are just thrilled to have her instruct our advanced jigging class again this year.  Her input and mentoring have already helped us for many years developing both our jigging workshops and contest, and we are delighted that we can now offer a class that will allow her to pass this on.

YVONNE CHARTRAND – Vancouver, BC
Intermediate/Beginner
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 AND CLINTON PELLETIER
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.

Freddie’s son, Clint, an amazing guitar virtuoso, will often join them, giving their show a wonderful family aspect!  This family is in their sixth year of their own annual event, the Pelletier Guitar Camp, every July-August The Pelletier’s have recorded a number of CD’s and two teaching videos and have a brand new Gospel Album out this year. Clinton has released an independent album and is in much demand with several bands and spends a lot of time touring. Their combined talents and knowledge are a huge benefit to the interest in the guitar workshops. They are all great teachers!

PIANO WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS

LIONEL GILBERTSON – Saskatoon, SK
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, SK
Advanced
Trent began his musical involvement at age 12 with piano lessons and holds degrees in elementary music education and elementary classroom education from the University of Saskatchewan, majoring in piano.