What a violin is made of...

At our Tuesday night class, we got to see some spruce and maple wood and many of the pieces and tools that go into the violin-making process.  Fiddler-in-residence Michelle Kaminsky is also a luthier and shared with us what and how you study at violin-making school!

More photos from our visit with Jay and Molly

Fiddler-in-residence CD complete

You can check it out and hear clips here.

(http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rachelpanitch)

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason at the Rhode Island Fiddle Project

A day after performing at the RI Folk Festival, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason led a two hour workshop yesterday for students of the RI Fiddle Project!  They performed tunes of many styles, talked about their experiences playing for more than one President of the United States, and taught Duke Ellington's C Jam Blues (in G).  Here's a clip of what we learned in an impromptu performance for parents.  It was an exciting and memorable afternoon for all involved!  Many thanks to Jay and Molly for their visit.    More photos to follow...

She Shines article

While it feels funny to post publicity about myself, this article is very much about the RI Fiddle Project.  You can see all of the She Shines articles by RI Foundation mentees and RI women holding office by downloading the most recent issue here.   The questions we were asked to write about were: "what is your concept of leadership? how are you enacting your power in the world?"

My favorite part was posing with the "Welcome to Pawtucket" sign in 30 degree weather in short sleeves with the violin (my idea)!  People driving by were wondering what was going on...

Yoga Fiddling Experience

Nearly 30 people set up yoga mats Saturday night and experienced a beautiful class complete with the mellow sounds of 4 xylophones and 2 fiddles!  We played almost continually for the full hour, moving from one instrument combination to the next and one improvisation to the next...from what we heard, it was a new and positive experience for all participants.  Afterwards, attendees sat on their mats on the floor while we played a brief fiddling concert.  Kate Hawley, who led the yoga class, described our collaboration beautifully, emphasizing the intention of strengthening community that both Shri Studio and the RI Fiddle Project share. 
*photos coming soon -- next week I hope!*

What else has been happening...students have been dancing and learning new tunes in preparation for our June 7th fiddling celebration.  We're all getting psyched about a visit to the program by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason on May 15th.  And as for me (Rachel), I played a thrilling contra dance in Concord, MA, last night!

Join us for a "Yoga | Fiddle Project" event this Saturday

This exciting experiment is 2 days away!
6-7pm live music with your beginner/gentle yoga class.
7-8pm concert with Michelle and Rachel
(followed by snacks!)  
@Shri Studio, 21 Broad St, Pawtucket, RI
Here's more info:
Event on facebook
Event on Shri Studio's website