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2012 Workshop Instructors & Contest Judges
Ann Schluter - Moorhead, MN
Beginning Fiddle Instructor
Ann has taught Suzuki violin and piano in Moorhead, MN, since 1979. She taught beginning fiddle students in Belcourt, ND, for many years and recorded "Annie's Waltzing Fiddle" with Truman Sorenson. Ann has developed her won fiddle method and uses it extensively iwth students. She has been on the faculty of BowBridge Fiddle Workshop, International Music Camp Fiddle School, week-long Suzuki Workshops and Moorhead Community Education.
Biography
Website
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Matthew Contois - Winnipeg, MB
Metis/Canadian Fiddle Instructor & IOTFC Judge
Matthew Contois is an aboriginal fiddle player from northern Manitoba. Learning to play fiddle in the Frontier Fiddling porgram, Matthew has already experienced success in his music career. His list of accomplishments include performing for the Queen during her Canadian tour, and being invited to compete at the prestigious 2006 Canadian Grand Masters fiddle championship. Focusing on metis and aboriginal fiddle styles, Matthew has also developed his talents to include French Canadian Fiddle style, Westen Swing, and Bluegrass fiddle styles.
Biography
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Mark Kreitzer - Minneapolis, MN
Intermediate Fiddle/Bluegrass/Mandolin Instructor
Mark Kreitzer is nearing his fourth decade on stages around the midwest and the world. He has recorded with such bands as the Clearwater Hot Club, the Middle Spunk Creek Boys, the Wisconsin River Bluegrass Boys, Harmonious Wail and numerous others. Currently, Mark teaches Songwriting at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, MN, and is an Adjunct Professor at Carleton College in Northfield, MN, where he teaches guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro and bass. Mark has taught numerous workshops at festivals and various instrumental skills, songwriting and singing to individual students.
Website
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Jim Tengesdal - Minot, ND
Fiddle Instructor
During his professional career as a fiddler and violinist, Jim has competed at many state and national competitions, finishing among the top ten fiddlers in five of seven national appearances. He has been a judge and adjudicator at a number of contests. An accomplished violinist, Mr. Tengesdal is a well-known and respected music educator.
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Adam Granger - St. Paul, MN
Guitar Workshop Instructor
Adam grew up in Oklahoma and is a teacher, performer and adjudicator with a speciality in Bluegrass and Country music. For the last decade, Adam's creative focus has been on writing and performing original material, and on writing books and articles on music in general and the flatpick guitar technique in particular. Adam Granger has taught rhythm and lead guitar, stage presence, songwriting and ear training for thirty-five years. He also teaches at music camps around the country. He is a veteran member of the house band for the "Prairie Home Companion" and has recorded eleven albums.
Website
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John Andrus - Litchville, ND
Banjo Workshop Instructor
John is a veteran of bluegrass banjo for over 30 years and has taught 5-string banjo for nearly 20 years. He is a founder and current president of BOTMAND. His teaching emphasizes group playing skills and interacting with other musicians.
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Deena Bistodeau - Princeton, MN
IOTFC Judge
Deena Bistodeau has been playing classical violin and fiddle music since the age of seven. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Music) degree from the University of Minnesota. Deena has entered hundreds of competitions around the United States and is currently ranked as one of the top fiddlers in the country. She has consistently placed in the top 10 in her age categories at the National Old time Fiddling Championship (Weiser, ID), and served on the 2010 national judges' panel at the competition. She is an eight-time Minnesota State Fiddling Champion and a three-time Wisconsin State Fiddling Champion. With her sister, Sedra, Deena has appeared twice on "A Prairie Home Companion" with Garrison Keillor. The pair will appear a third time in Fall 2011.
Website
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Gilmore Lee - Maple Plain, MN
IOTFC Judge
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Jeremy Ruso - Winnipeg, MB
Contest Accompanist
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