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Fiddle, Violin & Cello Classes

Grab a bow and join classes for all levels of players from beginners to the more advanced.

Just getting started? Beginning students can learn the basics of bowed string instruments in Introduction to Violin/Fiddle or Introduction to Cello.

Fiddle or Violin?
The simple answer is that the two instruments are really the same, but the style of music and the way it's set up and played is quite different. Introduction to Violin/Fiddle covers basics that are common to both. After that, students can choose which track they want to follow starting with either Fiddle 1 or Violin 1.

The Fiddle track teaches traditional folk genres by ear in a variety of genres including old-time square dance tunes, bluegrass, country, Americana, and regional styles like Irish, Mexican, Nordic, or Cajun. You can listen to examples in our extensive Fiddle Tune Archive.

In the Violin track, students learn genres that are primarily played off of sheet music, such as classical, jazz, film & TV soundtracks. Students learn to read traditional music notation and use classical techniques like vibrato.

Introduction to the Violin/Fiddle

Beginner

Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday with Jordan Wankoff or Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Get comfortable with the violin, even if you've never played a string instrument before!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 1

Beginner

Monday or Wednesday with Jordan Wankoff or Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Begin with the basics of fiddling and learn to play simple tunes in no time.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 1 Repertoire

Beginner

Monday with Colby Maddox

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

This class is the next step between Fiddle 1 and 2. Students get to practice techniques such as rhythm, scale knowledge and other Fiddle 1 skills.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 2

Intermediate

Monday with Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

In Fiddle 2, you'll really start feeling the rhythm that defines the fiddle.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 2 Repertoire

Intermediate

Monday with Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Fiddle 2 Repertoire is the next step to Fiddle 3. Practice correct bowing, scale knowledge, and other Fiddle 2 skills.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 3

Intermediate

Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday with Colby Maddox, Jordan Wankoff or Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Fiddle 3 is a good place to start for intermediate fiddlers or advanced classical violinists.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 3 Introduction to Irish Fiddle

Intermediate

Monday with Devin Shepherd

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Learn about different kinds of Irish dance tunes, including polkas and slides, jigs, hornpipes, and reels.

Location: Online

Fiddle 4 Irish Forever

Advanced

Monday with Devin Shepherd

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Develop the dance rhythms and technical flourishes that give Irish fiddling some of its subtle characteristics.

Location: Online

Advanced Cello

Advanced

Wednesday or Sunday with Alison Chesley

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Beginning Cello

Beginner

Monday with Xadie James

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

An introduction to the rich sounds of cello.
In-person classes available!

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Intermediate Cello

Intermediate

Monday or Sunday with Alison Chesley or Xadie James

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Build upon the basics of Cello 1 & 2 and start playing simple songs in duos and trios.

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave or Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 3: Irish Fiddle

Intermediate

Wednesday with Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Private Lesson Options

Our private lessons like our group classes run in 8-week sessions, however, you can begin private lessons during any week in the session. Please call our customer service folks at 773.728.6000 to register as private lesson availability is based upon individual teacher schedules.

Lessons are scheduled weekly, for 30, 45 or 60 minutes, and are available every day of the week at our Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park locations. Our experienced and professional faculty will work with you to develop an individualized program that helps you achieve your musical goals.

Stop in at either location or call the front desk at 773.728.6000 to register.


8-week Session Prices

$336 for 30 minutes ($326 for members)

$480 for 45 minutes ($465 for members)

$616 for 60 minutes ($596 for members)


Session & Registration Dates

8-week lessons: 10/28/2024 – 12/22/2024

Monday 09/23/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 10/07/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 10/09/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 01/06/2025 – 03/02/2025

Monday 11/18/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 12/02/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 12/04/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 03/03/2025 – 04/27/2025

Monday 01/27/25: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 02/10/25: Transfer registration

Wednesday 02/12/25: Open registration

8-week lessons: 04/28/2025 – 06/22/2025

Monday 03/24/25: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 04/07/25: Transfer registration

Wednesday 04/09/25: Open registration


Teachers

Click for teacher profiles and schedules

Brandi Berry Benson »
Fiddle, Violin, Viola

Rachael Botz »
Fiddle, Violin, Mandolin, Viola, Songwriting, Wiggleworms

Stella Childs »
Violin, Piano, Wiggleworms

Sean Colledge »
Fiddle, Guitar, Irish Tenor Banjo, Irish Mandolin, Irish Concertina, Cajun Accordion, Clawhammer Banjo

Al Ehrich »
Bass Guitar, Upright Bass, Cello, Dance & Movement - Qi Gong

Jonas Friddle »
Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, Ensembles, Band Coaching, School Partnerships

Anna Jacobson »
Fiddle, French Horn, Trumpet, Ensembles

Xadie James »
Piano, Bass, Guitar, Cello

Katie Klocke »
Fiddle, Violin, Piano

Michael O'Toole »
Guitar

Billy Oh »
Fiddle, Violin

Maddie Ring »
Fiddle, Wiggleworms, Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Voice

Devin Shepherd »
Fiddle