Article From the Lakeshore News: Friday, December 22, 2006

Fiddleheads Entertain with Holiday Favorites

by Debbie Latimer, Lakeshore News

Salmon Arm’s Art Gallery is the perfect setting for a recital and December 16 proved to be no exception. Fiddleheads Violin School & Shop held a Christmas recital hosted by its owner, award-winning violinist Rhiannon Schmitt.

Clad in a stunning long red dress complete with funky black boots, Rhiannon hosted the event while entertaining the audience with her wonderful musicianship. Students of all ages were on hand to entertain the audience with favourite Christmas carols.

Displaying her multi-talents, Alisha Ramstead played her flute along with her instructor and was followed by the Fiddleheads Ensemble consisting of fellow students Damien Plant, David McMaster, Rory Cleveland, Alisha Pearson, Abby Matheson, Jamé Wonacott, Mary Ross, Raeann Sherman, and Rachel Bates.

Teaching young children can be a challenge. To relate to them on their level requires a talent that Rhiannon exhibits. Encouraging youngest student Rachel Bates to tell her “story” by playing her tiny violin to express different sounds was one of the highlights of the evening. The tiny musician awed the audience with her presence and ability. [see photo]

Joyce Johnson proved that age should never be a barrier to learning new things. Having played for a short period time, she entertained with a few of her favourite choices.

Displaying that years of experience clearly pays off 17-year-old Damien Plant wowed the audience with his talents. He has played for the past 7 years. After several individual tunes, the audience was treated to the duo of Rory Cleveland on violin and her father, Randy, accompanying her on guitar.

Playing the violin has become a popular choice amongst young people. With the introduction of the String Orchestra within the School District over the last few years, more students are turning to the stringed instruments to express their musical talents. Seeing the need to promote the playing of string instruments, Rhiannon sought assistance in the summer of 2003 to continue hosting violin and fiddle workshops in Salmon Arm.

As in most projects, this small concept took on a life of its own and the tiny committee developed into a motivated non-profit group which supports violinists and fiddlers in their local community by means of scholarships, instrument banks, live music events, other workshops and more. Thus was the beginning of the Shuswap Violin Society.

For more information about the Fiddleheads Violin Shop & School check out their website http://www.fiddleheads.ca.

More about the recital here

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