Bio

Nashville, TN. Photo by Dane Miller.

Robin (center, dressed as Wednesday Addams) calling a Halloween square dance. Photo by Dr Dave Weiland.

 
I am a fiddle player, music teacher, and square dance caller based in the Bay Area. My passion is playing old-time, bluegrass and country music, and calling traditional square dances.

Although I played music throughout childhood, I didn't discover the fiddle until high school. When my grandfather died, my family found a couple of old violins in his attic. My dad had the better one fixed up, and after a lesson I fell in love with it. About a year later I discovered bluegrass jamming, and before long was regularly sneaking into the local bluegrass bar for jams.

Since then I have continued my mentorship with Chad Manning (of Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands & The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience), and now teach at Manning Music in Berkeley with a focus on learning my ear. Check out the lessons page for more info.

I am a founding member of the Drifter Sisters and The Bearcat Stringband. I also do fill in work for bands around the Bay, such as The Spare Strings, The Get Down Boys, and The Alhambra Valley Band.

In Sepember 2014, Emily Mann (fiddle), Rowan McCallister (banjo), Allegra Thompson (guitar) and I (fiddle) were honored to place third in one of my favorite events, the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention Stringband Contest!

In late 2014 I also started calling traditional square dances, and am happy to say now do quite a bit of that! I love calling at weddings, private events, and of course open to the public community/barn dances. Come dancing sometime!

*Click here for square dance calling press kit*