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Maine Fiddle Camp is a family traditional music camp in central Maine. Not just for fiddles, MFC offers instruction in at least 14 instruments plus voice. Instructors emphasize learning and playing by ear. All ages and levels are welcome—from skilled players to people who have never played before. Besides instrument workshops, there are opportunities to perform, sing around the campfire, and “form a band”. There are jam sessions, variety shows, old time country dances and traditional camp activities like swimming and games for the kids. The FOOD at MFC is healthy, locally sourced wherever possible, respectful campers’ dietary needs, and above all, delicious.
MFC has a new home!
Maine Fiddle Camp is moving to Pilgrim Lodge in West Gardiner. We hope to operate our traditional summer schedule this year, circumstances permitting!
Dates:
June weekend: 6/17 – 6/19
June week: 6/19 – 6/24
August week I: 8/7 – 8/12
August week II: 8/14 – 8/19
Stay tuned for pre-registration, coming in early January!
Tributes to Ben Guillemette
“There is a lot in Maine Fiddle Camp that is of Ben Guillemette, having touched my life and the lives of our founding staff in profound ways, guiding us all toward the savoring of every participant at every stage of their lives, musical or otherwise.”
—Greg Boardman
Virtual MFC 2021-22
Join us for a monthly series of workshops with the fantastic Maine Fiddle Camp staff. Every 2nd Saturday, from November thru June, we will gather on Zoom for classes, specialty workshops, and more. The final June 2022 event will be tailored to flow “seamlessly” into live Fiddle Camp in June 2022 which will start on Friday, June 17.
15
Instrument “nests”
With the MFC staff
6
Workshop periods
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
8
Saturdays
November – June
Register for one workshop or the entire season.
PLUS!! Join us for specialty workshops at 5 p.m. each month. And stay tuned each evening for the Old Time Variety Show premiering live on MFC’s YouTube channel.
Schedule – Feb 12
All workshops will meet in Zoom breakout rooms. You’ll receive the link via email and we will post it here on the day.
9:30 a.m. Main Tent Opens.
Submit your homemade pastries to the panel to receive your score
10 a.m.
Eagles (beginner fiddle) – with Mia Friedman
Martins (guitar) – with Isa Burke
Dulcimergansers (mountain dulcimer) – with Pam Weeks
11 a.m.
Loons (intermediate fiddle) – with Jessie Boardman
Boom Chickadees (piano) – with Neil Pearlman
1 p.m.
Buffleheads (advanced fiddle) – with Éric Favreau
Cuckooleles (uke) – with Kenny Raskin
Puffins (harmonica) – with Steve Weiss
2 p.m.
Cello-Bellied Sapsuckers (cello) – with McKinley James
Woodpickers (mandolin) – with Noah Fishman
Reed-Winged Blackbirds (button accordion) – with Sabin Jacques
3 p.m.
Thumbingbirds (banjo) – with Jennifer Armstrong
Whistlers (flute/whistle) – with Sharon PYne
4 p.m.
Warblers (singing) – with Bennett Konesni and Mia Bertelli
Thunderpumpers (bass) – with Stuart Kenney
5 p.m. SPECIALTY WORKSHOPS
Sound Better, Play Faster – with Elaine Malkin
7 p.m. OLD TIME VARIETY SHOW
Your Talented Virtual Staff
These folks are teaching at V-MFC this season. Instructors will rotate month-to-month.
Buffleheads (Advanced Fiddle) Éric Favreau, Ellen Gawler, Ed Pearlman, Lissa Schneckenburger
Loons (Intermediate Fiddle) Elaine Malkin, John Pranio, Jessie Boardman, Elizabeth Anderson
Eagles (Beginner Fiddle) Maggie Robinson, Mia Friedman, Helen Newell
Boom Chickadees (Piano) Doug Protsik, Neil Pearlman, Alex Fortier.
Cuckooleles (Ukulele) Kenny Raskin, Nina Miller
Thumbingbirds (Clawhammer Banjo) Jennifer Armstrong
Woodpickers (Mandolin) Baron Collins-Hill, Glen Loper, Noah Fishman
Martins (Guitar) Fred White, John Pranio, Isa Burke, Dan Faiella
Whistlers (Flute & Whistle) Sharon Pyne, Sandy Davis, Nicole Rabata.
Cello Bellied Sapsuckers (Cello…) Elsie Gawler, McKinley James, Daniel Hawkins.
Warblers (Singing) Bennett Konesni, Mia Bertelli
Thunder Pumpers (Bass) Stuart Kenney
Dulcimergansers (Mountain Dulcimer) Pam Weeks
Puffins (Harmonica) Steven Weiss.
Reedwinged Blackbirds (Button Accordion) Sabin Jacques, Jim Joseph.
Additional MFC staff members will undoubtedly show up in Specialty Workshops
David Surette
Our friend, colleague and teacher
It is our sad duty and honor to announce the passing of a long time Maine Fiddle Camp teacher and inspiration David Surette, whose family, music, and spirit were perfect examples of the kind of leadership that has made MFC the “nurturing while learning” community it is. There will be tributes to him occurring throughout the vast legion of friends, musicians, dancers, listeners, and family, so look for some offerings from us in the near future as we reflect on his influence. We will miss him greatly. All our loving best to Susie, Isa, Julianna, all veterans of MFC, as his spirit lives on through his music.
Get a shirt!
Official V-MFC 2021 Shirts are available online!
Please note: all shirts are printed with white ink.
Virtual Camp Highlights
Latest News
- Tributes to Ben GuilllemetteWe lost Ben Guillemette, his having preceded everyone reading this to the heavenly dance band at age 95. I first met Ben when he showed up with “Toots” Bouthot (our Joanne’s father!) in 1975 to compete at the East Benton Fiddlers’ Convention. We young upshot fiddlers knew we were listening to fiddling and piano accompaniment […]
- MFC has a new home!Maine Fiddle Camp is moving to Pilgrim Lodge in West Gardiner. We hope to operate our traditional summer schedule this year, circumstances permitting! Dates: June weekend: 6/17 – 6/19June week: 6/19 – 6/24August week I: 8/7 – 8/12August week II: 8/14 – 8/19 Stay tuned for pre-registration, coming in the spring!
- In Memory of David SuretteIt is our sad duty and honor to announce the passing of a long time Maine Fiddle Camp teacher and inspiration David Surette, whose family, music, and spirit were perfect examples of the kind of leadership that has made MFC the “nurturing while learning” community it is. There will be tributes to him occurring throughout […]
Events
January 8, 2022: Virtual MFC
February 12, 2022: Virtual MFC
March 12, 2022: Virtual MFC
April 9, 2022: Virtual MFC
May 14, 2022: Virtual MFC
June 11, 2022: Virtual MFC
June 17 – 19, 2022: LIVE June weekend camp
(in person, West Gardiner, ME)
June 19 – 24, 2022: June Week camp
(in person, West Gardiner, ME)
August 7 – 12, 2022: August week 1
(in person, West Gardiner, ME)
August 14 – 19: August week 2
(in person, West Gardiner, ME)
Can you help us find past camp videos?
We are looking for videos from “real” MFC.
Some of you may have video of past variety shows, dances, etc.
Would you be willing to share it with us?
You can upload videos on this page. Please contact us if you have questions or leads!