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Our
Fiddle and Step Dance |
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| Fiddle Instructors | |
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Karen Reed Camp Director and Instructor Karen Reed was born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario where she began her career at the age of four. At age six, Karen started competing in Fiddle Contests across the Province of Ontario. During her fiddling career, she won numerous awards. Some of the highlights include:
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12 & Under Canadian Champion Karen maintained the position of being one of Canada's top fiddlers during her years in competition and now continues to be available as a fiddle judge, instructor, recording artist, and performer. She has also started the “Karen Reed trio” and not only performs in concerts but also serves as a dance band. |
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Cindy (Thompson) Butineau Cindy's electrifying performances have earned her a reputation as one of Canada's premiere combination fiddle player/stepdancers. A former national Canadian stepdance champion and winner of numerous fiddle awards, she performs in her own inimitable style, full of spontaneity, fun and musical excellence. There is something for everyone in Cindy Thompson's fiddling as she draws from Irish, Scottish, Cajun, Country, Bluegrass and Canadian Old Tyme fiddle styles. Originally from the Ottawa Valley, Cindy comes from a musical family. She started step-dancing at the age of six and fiddling when she was twelve. Largely self-taught, Cindy began under the influence of her grandpa, Robert Buck. She began experimenting herself, improvising to create a certain sound or flavour in a tune. In her teens, Thompson criss-crossed the country winning over judges and audience alike. Cindy won Canadian step-dancing championships and numerous fiddle awards; including those at the North American Fiddle Contests in Shelburne, Ontario. From an early age her performing skills were recognized and she participated in major festivals across Canada. Cindy has a long history of memorable performances including The Tommy Hunter Show and The Rita MacNeil show on CBC TV. She has also performed live concerts nationally on CBC Radio - Canada and concert appearances with Symphony Nova Scotia, the Thunder Bay Symphony and also a highly successful performance with the Huronia Symphony in Barrie, ON. Cindy's two recordings "Through the Gates" and "I can feel it in the air" have both received critical acclaim and airplay on local, national and international media including radio stations across Holland, France, Australia, The Netherlands, Ireland and England. Cindy has also received positive and enthusiastic Cd reviews in such media as Sing Out! and Dirty Linen magazines. Cindy now spends the majority of her time as a fiddle and stepdance instructor in her home in Perkinsfield, Ontario. She is also well known as a fiddle teacher at various music camps including “Orangeville Fiddle Camp”. Wherever she goes, Cindy's fun, enthusiastic approach builds an amazing rapport with her audience. Her contagious energy and superb technique take listeners on a musical adventure. |
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Kyle Charron Kyle has been playing the fiddle since the age of four and grew up winning many top awards in Ontario’s major fiddle contests. He continues to compete in the Open Class level while adding to a growing repertoire of fiddle tunes of varied styles. Kyle won the Shelburne Canadian Open Fiddle Championship in 2007, and became the youngest contestant to win the Open Class in its history. He placed second in 2008 and won again in 2009 and 2011. He has also earned the highest points at Shelburne in the under 21 age group to win the Johnny Mooring Memorial Trophy four years straight. Kyle also won the 2008 and 2010 Pembroke Open Fiddle Competitions and placed second at the Canadian Grand Masters in 2010. He has been invited to compete again this year. Kyle has recorded two CDs titled “Tribute” and “Charron’s Fine Blend”. He regularly performs with his brother Jake in their group “The Charron Brothers” at a variety of venues. Kyle instructed for two years at the Algomatrad Music Camp where he gained experience instructing all ages and all skill levels. Having attended the Orangeville Fiddle & Stepdance Camp as a student when he was 13 and 14 years old, he is thrilled to return as a part of this year’s staff. |
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Celina DiCecca Celina DiCecca was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario and has studied the violin since the age of 8. At 10 years old, she attended her first year at the Orangeville Fiddle and Step Dance Camp, where she was first introduced to Old-Time Fiddle music and has never looked back since. Celina has been performing both classical and fiddle music for over ten years and has been a member of various bands and musical groups throughout the years. A recent graduate from The University of Western Ontario with an honours degree in Music Education, she has been teaching the fiddle for over 6 years. Celina is thrilled to return for her 7th year as an instructor at camp. She has also been a fiddle judge at the Western Fair Fiddle Contest for the past 3 years. Currently residing in London, Ontario, she is teaching the fiddle, performing live as much as possible and working on original music for her first album. |
| Doug McNaughton | |
| Step Dance Instructors | |
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Sarah Robinson Sarah Robinson, of Alton Ontario, has been stepdancing since the age of 8. She has grown up performing and competing around Ontario and Quebec and received numerous titles along the way. By the age of 16, Sarah started instructing at Chanda’s School of Dance in Orangeville and has also taught at numerous workshops, both in Canada and the US. Some highlighted events include performing with Natalie McMaster, Leahy, John McDermott, and Canadian Fiddle Champions Shane Cook and Mark Sullivan. Sarah is the current 2008 Ontario Open Stepdance Champion and the 2008 Canadian Open Stepdance Champion. Sarah is currently in her third year at the University of Guelph majoring in history. |
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Colleen Jenish –
Junior Step Dance instructor Colleen is a prominent figure in the Canadian step dance and fiddle competition circuit. Her musical career began at a very early age. Some of Colleen’s accomplishments to date include being the 12 and under Canadian Step Dance Champion in 2005, the Ontario Open 12 and Under Step Dance Champion also in 2005, and the 2007 Maritime Open 18 and Under Step Dance Champion. Currently, she is the 2009 Southwestern Ontario 18 and Under Step Dance Champion. Colleen enjoys sharing her passion for dance with others and has taught step dancing for a number of years. Colleen is not only active in the competition circuit but is also a performer and has performed in concert with such notables as Mark Sullivan and Tommy Leadbeater. |
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Kyle Waymouth Step Dance, Bass & Fiddle. Started step dancing at age 3. Well known in the solo dance competitions, Kyle has won over 50 first place finishes to date. Kyle is also a member of the step dance group Powerhouse, who are 4 time Canadian Open Group Step Dancing Champions. Kyle teaches step dancing at the famous Judy's School of Dance in Stratford, Ontario. He has performed across Canada and at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee; the Nickle City Cloggin Convention in Grand Island, New York and Branson, Missouri. Kyle is very interested in recording and also plays guitar and mandolin. |
| Piano & Guitar Chording | |
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Jake Charron Jake Charron (piano, guitar) is continuing to build a reputation as one of Canada’s finest accompanists for fiddle music. He has become a much sought-after musician for traditional styles, playing piano and guitar with artists across the continent. Jake has performed with fiddle champions Shane Cook, Mark Sullivan, Louis Schryer, Pierre Schryer, his brother Kyle Charron, and more recently had the opportunity to work with ECMA winner Troy MacGillivray and acclaimed Irish-American fiddler Liz Carroll. Jake has also performed with Stephanie Cadman's Celtic Blaze production, and as a duo with fiddler/stepdancer Dan Stacey. He is the house pianist at several fiddle competitions including the Canadian Open Fiddle Championships in Shelburne Ontario, and the Canadian Grand Masters. Jake recently graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours degree in Kinesiology. So bring your guitar and keyboard. |
We are very proud of these instructors and they have been very helpful in the development of the Orangeville Fiddle and Step Dance Camp. Their dedication to helping others learn and the preservation of our heritage in old time music is appreciated by all who meet them.
