For 2027, Melanie Dodarai, Tennessee Rindal and Jarred Albright will walk the kids through fiddle songs and techniques, with a closing performance on the NBCMS Stage!
Saturday Academy: January 16, 2027 - 9:00 AM to 1:45 PM
Performance on the Northern Bluegrass Circle Stage at 1:00 PM
A fiddle academy just for kids aged 4 to 17
Sponsored by
RiverCity is pleased to present
our Kid Fiddle Academy Instructors for 2027:
• Melanie Doderai
• Tennessee Rindal
• Jarred Albright
Instruction begins on Saturday morning at 9:00 am to 12 noon, a break for lunch, then a class performance on the NBCMS Stage at 1:00 pm (students are encouraged to take a seat in the concert area after their performance).
2027 REGISTRATION
Registration is $70, which includes lunch for the child, an adult Saturday ticket for chaperon, a private bluegrass fiddle concert during lunch and a t-shirt if you register before January 1, 2027.
If you have more than one child to register and you do not require another festival ticket, the registration fee is $20.
Questions email carolynhotte@gmail.com
Chaperone needs to attend class with younger children.
Chaperone of older children are not expected to remain in the class area but are expected to stay on site and will be asked to provide their contact information.
A minimum of 3 registrations is required to run each class and a maximum of 8 students will be permitted in each class. We will start a waitlist as classes fill.
More instructors will be added as required.
NEW THIS YEAR for those that register before January 1, 2027, your registration will include a Kid Fiddle Academy t-shirt! State your size at time of registration. After December 31, 2026 you may purchase a T-shirt for $25 (while supplies last).
KID FIDDLE ACADEMY APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Class placement will start at 9:00 am. Please have a favorite short tune to play for the instructors.
The ages are only a guide and applicants will be placed in the classes by the instructors.The child must bring their own instrument.
Skill level recommendations:
Beginner (Tennessee Rindal, ages 4-7) a chaperon is required to attend – children should to be able to play a song equivalent to Hot Cross Buns. the ability to play rhythmic bowing patterns would be an asset.
Intermediate (Melenie Doderai, ages 8-12) chaperon is required to be on the festival site – children should be able to already play 2-3 fiddle/violin tunes.
Advanced (Jarred Albright ages 13-17) chaperon is required to be on the festival site – children should be able to already play 2-3 fiddle/violin tunes up to tempo.
The Kid Fiddle Academy ends with a grand finale performance at 1:00 pm on the Northern Bluegrass Circle Stage. Applicants are encouraged to take a seat in the concert area after their performance.
Alfie Myhre’s Stories from the Road will follow the Academy performance.
QUESTIONS? Please email carolynhotte@gmail.com
INSTRUCTORS
2027 Kid Fiddle Academy
Melanie Doderai
Melanie Doderai is a passionate musician, educator, and performer with a love for inspiring the next generation of fiddlers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Education, along with an Advanced Specialist Certification from the Royal Conservatory of Music. An active member of the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association, she has also published theory books for string instruments through Mel Bay Publications.
Melanie teaches at many fiddle camps across Alberta, including those hosted by the Alberta Society of Fiddlers and the Wild Rose Fiddle Association. Kids’ fiddle is one of her greatest joys, and her students love the energy, fun, and encouragement she brings to her teaching. Melanie currently works as an early childhood music specialist with Elk Island Catholic Schools, maintains a thriving private studio, and frequently adjudicates, leads workshops, and directs music camps.
We are thrilled to welcome Melanie back to our camp for the third year and know her passion, talent, and warmth will inspire our fiddlers.
www.silkandstrings.ca
Tennessee Rindal
Tennessee is a singer and fiddler from Lacombe, Alberta. She spent the past year touring around central Alberta and B.C. performing country/folk and bluegrass music. While she is not performing or hanging out with her dogs, Ringo and Winnefred, you will find her in the classroom with her junior high students.
Tennessee has travelled down to Nashville and Pigeon Forge, TN, in pursuit of absorbing the raw and authentic country music scene. She continues to pursue music by learning from those who come before her, and sharing with those who come after, in hopes of reflecting a sound that falls somewhere “in between” the old-time legends and the younger generation. Some of you may have met her at the Alberta Society of Fiddlers Fiddle De De Fiddle Camp at Gull Lake. She loves to work with Children and looks forward to this opportunity.
We are pleased to welcome Tennessee to the Kid Fiddle Academy Instructor team and know her passion will inspire our young fiddlers.
https://www.facebook.com/tennesseerindalmusic/
Jarred Albright
Jarred has played the violin since he was seven years old, and music has been his focus ever since. He discovered the joys of fiddle style and spent his early years with the Calgary Fiddlers performing over a hundred times a year before entering post-secondary to pursue jazz performance at Grant MacEwan University.
Since then, Jarred has endeavored to teach himself to sing and play mandolin, guitar, and banjo. Music has taken him around the world including the United States, South Korea, England, Scotland, and Ireland. These days Jarred keeps busy performing with many diverse local acts, recording and producing from his home studio, ceaselessly practicing, and sharing his love of music with his students.
Congratulations to Jarred on placing 9th in the Canadian Master Fiddle Competition this past August.
We are excited to have Jarred back to share his love of music with The Kid Fiddle Academy.
jarredalbright.com
RiverCity Sponsors
