SCVFA Youth Programs

Playing traditional music is an activity for people of all ages. The SCVFA has been a family organization since its inception, and we encourage and welcome young musicians to participate in our monthly jamboree.

Our Beginners' Circle is a slow-jam session led by an experienced player. It's aimed at musicians of all ages (not just fiddlers!) who prefer a slower pace and more structure than an open jam. Check the Beginners' Circle page for details, including music for most tunes the group has played so far.

We also have two programs aimed specifically at young fiddlers:

KidFiddle Youth Fiddle Workshops, aimed at the advanced-beginner to intermediate student, are offered several times each year–usually at the October jam plus a couple of times in the spring. The workshop are generally led by a well-known musician, sometimes in conjunction with a concert. The SCVFA underwrites the workshops, so tuition is typically only $5 per student. After the workshop, the students play for our audience to show what they've learned — and to gain some experience playing on stage. KidFiddle instructors have included Kenny Blacklock, Larry Chung, Tashina and Tristan Clarridge, John Francis, Brittany Haas, Laurie Lewis, Megan Lynch, Nancy Solomon and Jack Tuttle. See our Events page for information about upcoming KidFiddle workshops.

The SCVFA Youth Fiddle Contest is for fiddlers up to 16 years old, and is held at our monthly jam on the first Sunday of November. Contestants receive certificates and can win cash prizes and other awards. This has been a fun event for both contestants and the audience. Click the contest link for more contest information.

The 7^th annual contest, held November 2, 2008, was great fun. We had 19 contestants in the three divisions. The winners are listed below. (Hover your cursor over a name to see the contestant's teacher, if specified, and the tunes played.)

Thanks to all the contestants and their families and the many SCVFA volunteers for making it a successful event.

Richard Brooks Photo

In the past we granted several scholarships to young players for fiddle instruction, but we don't currently offer scholarships.

Updated 11/9/08

The SCVFA is a California non-profit corporation, registered with the Calfornia Registry of Charitable Trusts.

We are classified by the IRS as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3). Donations to the SCVFA can generally be deducted from the donor's Federal (and often state) income tax. Consult your tax advisor about your specific situation.