Fiddle Workshops with Gerry O'Connor

Eastport Arts Center will host a pair of workshop with Irish fiddler Gerry O’Connor on Saturday, June 8. First will be a Beginner’s Fiddle Workshop from 10 am to 12:30 pm; an Intermediate Fiddle Workshop will follow, from 1 to 2:30 pm.

The workshops are open to all ages and experience levels, but some ability on the fiddle is recommended. In addition to the workshop topics, participants will be able to learn about their own fiddle and how to get the most out of it.

The session sare offered for $35 each, or $60 for both. A sliding fee scale (pay what you can) is available by request. Space is limited; to register, please email workshops@eastportartscenter.org and specify which session you’d like to attend. 

A four-time winner of The Fiddler of Oriel competition, O’Connor has played and recorded with such highly-regarded groups as Lá Lúgh (Eithne Ní Uallacháin, Sony Music) and Skylark (Len Graham, Gary O’Briain & Mairtin O’Connor), recording four CDs on the Claddagh label. He has toured and recorded with members of many well known groups including the Chieftains, Planxty, Bothy Band, De Dannan, and Boys of the Lough. In 2018, he was awarded “Ceannródaí”, the prestigious Bardic Award by Comhaltas for his valued contribution to the Traditional Arts. In the same year he published The Rose in the Gap: Dance Music of Oriel from the Donnellan Collection. O’Connor teaches fiddle at the Willie Clancy Summer school in County Clare, Ireland, and at master classes throughout Europe. When at home, he works as a violin maker/restorer.

This series of events has been supported by Culture Ireland and the Maine Arts Commission. Eastport Arts Center is at 36 Washington Street, Eastport, and at www.eastportartscenter.org, and is handicapped-accessible.