Blazing Fiddles Teen Camp

Registration is now open for the 2020 Blazing Fiddles Teen Camp! I have been teaching fiddle camps in Northern Colorado with Cody Stadelmaier for the past 9 years, and we are excited for our second year teaching Blazing Fiddles, because “Fiddle is Funner“.

This teen camp is for ages 12+ and intermediate to advanced musicians. No matter what your skill level is, you are guaranteed to have a great time.

Students will receive practical and direct instruction. We will only be taking 10 students in our Youth Camp, and 10 in our Teen Camp, so register now!

Cody Stadelmaier and I will be teaching fiddlers aged 12 to 17 for 5 days at The Gressiwick in Downtown – Loveland, CO. (Our youth camp is for ages 7-12). If your child is a beginner student who is over the age of 12, please contact me to discuss which camp would be best for you.

Students will receive lessons on new tunes, as well as practical music theory, playing harmony, accompaniment, and coaching on tunes they are currently working on.

This camp is open to students from age 12+.

Register Now!

Dates:

Monday July 20- Friday July 24, 2020

Times:

Youth Camp – 9:00AM to 12:00 noon – $250 ($225 by May 31st)

Teen Camp – 1:00PM to 4:00PM – $250 ($225 by May 31st)

COVID-19 Precautions:

In addition to a self-check before students come to camp on Monday, here are the precautions we are taking to protect campers and their families: 

• In accordance with Colorado State requirements, all campers and parents will be required to wear masks for the entire duration of their time at The Gressiwick
• Students will have their temperature checked daily before they’re allowed to enter
• We will not be serving snacks, but we will take a short break halfway through class – please provide your student with a snack if they would like one
• We advise bringing a water bottle – students may use our drinking fountains to refill their personal water bottle, but not drink from the fountains directly
• We will maintain 6-foot social distancing between all participants
• Chairs, bathrooms, and door handles, and frequently-touched surfaces will be sanitized before and after each class
• Hand sanitizer will be available at the door
• Our end-of-camp concerts have moved outdoors

Questions:

If you have any questions, contact me, and I will be happy to answer them.

Registration:

Register Online

* Registration is limited to 10 students per class

Teachers:

Vi Wickam (me)

Based in Loveland, Colorado, Vi Wickam is a champion fiddler and inspired performer who brings his full energy to every performance. He is a champion of music’s power to improve and enrich our lives in tangible ways, and infuses that goal into every project and performance. Drawing from styles such as bluegrass, jazz, rock, old-time fiddle, and classical music, Vi regularly performs as both a solo artist and as a member of several prominent groups, including Vi Wickam and The Band, Paul Chet and the Whiskey Chickens, and Fiddle Whamdiddle, whose 2014 and 2016 albums were on the Grammy Ballot. Vi’s most recent release, Armadillo On a Hot Tin Roof spent 5 months in the Folk DJ top 40, peaking at #4 in April of 2018.

A four-time Colorado State Fiddling Champion, finalist at the Grand Masters’ Fiddler Championship, and Runner Up in the National Fiddle Contest, Vi also maintains an active schedule as a live performer and instructor. He teaches regularly at workshops and camps around the US, and is a founder of myTalentForge.com, an online music school.

 

Cody Stadelmaier

Cody Stadelmaier began playing her Grandpa’s fiddle at age 10.  She instantly fell in love with the instrument.  She grew up in Casper, Wyoming playing old time tunes in the local fiddle club. From there she started competing in contests and went on to win the Junior Wyoming State title, followed by the Grand Champion title.

In 1992 she moved to Fort Collins, CO to study music at Colorado State University.  It was during that time she was introduced to Texas Style Fiddling.  Under the guidance of Dick and Lisa Barrett, she went on to win several Colorado State Championships and National Adult Champion.

In Fort Collins, she has her own studio and loves to teach. Her favorite music is Western Swing, but she loves all fiddle styles.

Videos:

I thought you might be interested in seeing a couple of videos of me and Cody playing and teaching. I’m looking forward to seeing you in August!

Cody

Cody competing in the Colorado State Fiddling Championships a couple of years ago.

Vi

Some of the fiddle camp kids joining Vi and Cody on Stage at Avogadro’s Number.

 Vi

The difference between a violin and a fiddle. I also wrote a post about the difference between a fiddle and a violin.