 | I offer lessons in:- Accompanying
- Ear Training
- Fiddle
- Basic Music Theory
- Intermediate Music Theory
- Songwriting
- Classical Violin
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Interested in taking lessons with Deb?
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Deb Collins | Offering private lessons in
Olympia, Washington |
Introduction
Fiddle or Violin?
Well, it all boils down to the 'style' of music played on the 'same' instrument!
Deb Collins is a Pacific Northwestern native with an infectious passion for the 'Fiddle', which began back in 1974 and hasn't stopped since. One lesson from Deb and it becomes very evident that she knows her "stuff." Her musical family background runs through her veins. While growing up, she was witness to many jam sessions in her home. Musicians would come and go, leaving behind their legacies that encouraged her to pursue her current career in the music industry.
Her studios are situated in Olympia and Tacoma. She also teaches the Beginning Celtic Fiddle Course at Pierce College, in Puyallup, Washington.
A new endeavor that has spread with increasing interest, is the fun weekly tune learning session called, 'Tune ~ A ~ Week.' Every Monday evening, at her home, in Olympia, and Saturday mornings, at Ted Brown Music Store, in Tacoma, folks show up to learn a new fiddle tune in the old fashioned way, by ear. Musical notation and her unique style of fiddle tab are on hand for those who need it. The tunes came from all over the globe. On the second session of each month a special guest fiddle instructor is invited to come and share their repertoire and techniques. Immediately following, is an acoustic jam session. For more information, contact Deb directly from her web site.
My Teaching Background
She has several years experience teaching Fiddle and Classical Violin to students of all ages and has a keen sense of knowing how to approach many different learning styles. She also gained some of her understanding about teaching from her experiences while attending the School of Education at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.
She has learned many tunes and formed special friendships with local fiddle players:
Kevin Burke
Ruthie Dornfeld
Stuart Williams
Jim Evans
Jim Ketterman
Sarah Comer
Barb Collins
Ray Leach
Lisa Ornstein
Her network of musicians and friends is vast and her involvement in various organizations and community activities help broaden her experience and enable her to provide insight to her students to help them improve their skills and reach their musical goals. Following are just a few examples of places you might find her:
Irish Jam Sessions
Québecois Session
Contra Dances
Washington State Old Time Fiddler’s Association
Campouts
Workshops at Dusty Stings
Irish Dancing at Scoil Rince Slieveloughane , & Tony Comerford School of Irish Dance
Playing music or dancing for a Ceili or Hooley
Performing for the Puget Sound Revels
Open Mic @ The Press
Deb plays professionally as well. She and her partner Greg Hill are known as, "Green Mountain Acoustic Music," and provide great music for many different venues in the area, both singly and as a duo. Together, with their children, they live a rich musical lifestyle that is conducive to keeping a tune in everyone's heart! It is common to find them playing their music whenever & wherever they get the chance. Musical instruments of all sorts are located throughout their home and musical sounds abound as folks try their hand at playing them.
She is also in a band called, The Straw Hat String Band which is a wonderful group of friends who have joined forces to play great acoustic music. The "Straw Hatter's" are a 5 piece multi-instrumental group that plays the musical genres of Irish, Scottish & other Celtic Nations, Contra Dance, Québecois, Métis, Old Timey, American Roots, Jazz Standards & Blues Standards. They are based in Olympia and are available for dances, weddings, and special events.
In the Spring she gears up to prepare for the Folklife Festival. She works with students from the Magic Strings program, in Enumclaw, Washington, teaching them fiddle tunes that they will perform at the festival.
My Teaching Philosophy
Her uniquely designed teaching approach is specifically designed with each student’s specific learning style and goals in mind. Her lifetime experiences are intertwined throughout the lessons as she takes each student on a ride that will prove to be an enriching experience. Her one of a kind instructional methods and fun approach guarantee successful results even if the student has never played before. Students are introduced to the fantastic world of Fiddle music as they attend her fun 'Field Trips' to the many venues available in the Pacific Northwest. She also invites well known fiddlers to her home to give house concerts and holds workshops.
What's on the books for the future with Deb? She's working on a new book filled with her unique Fiddle Tablature of World Folk Tunes. This style of Fiddle Tab has proven to be very successful in allowing students to begin enjoying the fiddle right away.
And... another new idea in the beginning stages, is group for young children, playing and singing Norwegian tunes, songs and dances, featuring the Hardingfele. What's this instrument you ask? Check out this web site for more information: The Hardanger Fiddle Association of America Thanks to her awesome cousins, Mark and Jeff, who have paved the way for her to get her own instrument, Deb is having a wonderful Luthier, Lynn Berg, make a hardingfele for her. Check out his web site: Fiddlemaker.com
Rates And Availability
The Fiddle Bits Academy Studio is located in Olympia, Washington, where she teaches the bulk of her students. She also teaches on Saturdays at Ted Brown Music Store, in Tacoma, Washington. Her rates are comparable with other local teachers with her experience. She is also very understanding with folks who have special needs, financially speaking. Bartering is a wonderful tool that she employs when needed!
For available time slots, click on the link on the upper right side of this page: "View All Upcoming Events." Days and times that are not listed are the ones that are currently available.
Fiddle Bits Academy Rates:
1/2 Hour: $25.00
45 Minute: $37.50
One Hour: $50.00
~ Keep a tune in your heart! ~
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