A rare songwriting class for fiddlers and other melodic players, taught by Dene fiddler and composer Wesley Hardisty, whose collaborative work with the Canadian Chamber Choir on the piece Where Waters Meet showcased his ability to write music rooted in land, place, and tradition. This class opens up the craft of composing your own fiddle tunes: finding a melodic idea, developing it, choosing a key and mode, building structure (A and B parts), and the subtle art of writing tunes that feel at home in the Northern tradition while still sounding like you. Students will each leave the week with a tune of their own, with the option of performing their new works together at the end-of-week showcase. A class you won't find at most fiddle camps, and a chance to study composition with someone whose original music has been performed on concert stages across Canada!

At least a year of playing experience on fiddle, violin, or another melodic instrument. Bring your instrument, a notebook, and a voice recorder (phones work great).