“There’s always room for CELLO!”
(- Doug Protsik)
Who knew that cello, a classical instrument more associated with string quartets than traditional dance music, would become all the rage at Maine Fiddle Camp!? Well it has and it IS!! But, why NOT? The cello is an amazingly versatile instrument and actually has been played in the folk genre for quite a while. In fact, before guitar and piano were invented, cello was the preferred back-up instrument at the country dances in Scotland. Also, western Maine fiddler Mellie Dunham’s sister played cello in his family band that toured the east coast back in the early 1900’s, so there is a tradition in Maine of cello at the dances. I remember Norman and Nancy Blake back in the early 70’s (OK that video is recent, but there aren’t any YouTube videos from back then!) and it was quite eye opening!! So early on, we started a cello track at Maine Fiddle camp and the response was overwhelming! We recently have had Ari Friedman, Daniel Hawkins, Pam Weeks and Elsie Gawler teaching cello. So who ARE these “rebel cello teachers”? Read on…
Elsie Gawler
Elsie Gawler attended Maine Fiddle Camp as a camper for over 15 years and has since then transferred to teaching the cello at MFC. She grew up playing and singing traditional music with her mom, dad and two sisters and continues to play with them professionally as "The Gawler Family" band. While the cello is her main instrument she also plays fiddle and banjo. She lives in Monroe Maine where she is the co-owner of North Branch Farm, a farm where they raise a variety of crops and livestock.Pam Weeks
Pam sings and plays several instruments in the folk trio, T-Acadie, is fiddler and singer for the Maine-based Cajun dance band, Jimmyjo & the Jumbol'Ayuhs, plays fiddle and mountain dulcimer in the contradance band, Scrod Pudding, and performs solo or with guitar player and caller Bill Olson. She is an accomplished tunesmith and has composed scores of tunes, from lively jigs and reels, to entrancing airs and beautiful waltzes.
Pam has toured throughout the U.S. with her bands, playing for contradances, concerts, and teaching at festivals and workshops. (more)
June Weekend I
Elsie Gawler
Elsie Gawler attended Maine Fiddle Camp as a camper for over 15 years and has since then transferred to teaching the cello at MFC. She grew up playing and singing traditional music with her mom, dad and two sisters and continues to play with them professionally as "The Gawler Family" band. While the cello is her main instrument she also plays fiddle and banjo. She lives in Monroe Maine where she is the co-owner of North Branch Farm, a farm where they raise a variety of crops and livestock.McKinley James
McKinley James is a cellist studying at New England Conservatory. After years with the Vermont Youth Orchestra, she joined the Boston Youth Symphony, and then the premier youth orchestra led by Ben Zander, the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. With the BPYO, she toured Europe twice, playing in concert halls such as the Berlin Philharmonie and at the Alhambra in Spain. She has also played with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, Middlebury College Orchestra, and the New England Conservatory Symphony, she also soloed with the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra. She was principal of the Vermont All State Orchestra sophomore year and won the All States Scholarship that year. She now studies with Yeesun Kim at the New England Conservatory. (more)
June Week
Elsie Gawler
Elsie Gawler attended Maine Fiddle Camp as a camper for over 15 years and has since then transferred to teaching the cello at MFC. She grew up playing and singing traditional music with her mom, dad and two sisters and continues to play with them professionally as "The Gawler Family" band. While the cello is her main instrument she also plays fiddle and banjo. She lives in Monroe Maine where she is the co-owner of North Branch Farm, a farm where they raise a variety of crops and livestock.
June Weekend II
Elsie Gawler
Elsie Gawler attended Maine Fiddle Camp as a camper for over 15 years and has since then transferred to teaching the cello at MFC. She grew up playing and singing traditional music with her mom, dad and two sisters and continues to play with them professionally as "The Gawler Family" band. While the cello is her main instrument she also plays fiddle and banjo. She lives in Monroe Maine where she is the co-owner of North Branch Farm, a farm where they raise a variety of crops and livestock.McKinley James
McKinley James is a cellist studying at New England Conservatory. After years with the Vermont Youth Orchestra, she joined the Boston Youth Symphony, and then the premier youth orchestra led by Ben Zander, the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. With the BPYO, she toured Europe twice, playing in concert halls such as the Berlin Philharmonie and at the Alhambra in Spain. She has also played with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, Middlebury College Orchestra, and the New England Conservatory Symphony, she also soloed with the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra. She was principal of the Vermont All State Orchestra sophomore year and won the All States Scholarship that year. She now studies with Yeesun Kim at the New England Conservatory. (more)
August Week I
McKinley James
McKinley James is a cellist studying at New England Conservatory. After years with the Vermont Youth Orchestra, she joined the Boston Youth Symphony, and then the premier youth orchestra led by Ben Zander, the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. With the BPYO, she toured Europe twice, playing in concert halls such as the Berlin Philharmonie and at the Alhambra in Spain. She has also played with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, Middlebury College Orchestra, and the New England Conservatory Symphony, she also soloed with the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra. She was principal of the Vermont All State Orchestra sophomore year and won the All States Scholarship that year. She now studies with Yeesun Kim at the New England Conservatory. (more)Beth Robinson
Classically trained cellist Beth Robinson has been teaching cello to students ages 4-adult for nearly 30 years. Based in Potsdam, NY, she began playing for dances in the late 1980’s at a time when there were few cellists to guide her and so she looked to other instrumentalists for inspiration. Her mentors and teachers include fiddlers David Kaynor, George Wilson, Claude Methe, pianist Jacqueline Schwab, and guitarists Dana Whittle and Paul Marchand. (more)
August Week II