| AL BERARD TEACHES CAJUN FIDDLE WORKSHOPS (as well as Cajun style mandolin and guitar) Quote from Al’s fiddle student: “Al is a most amazing teacher. He can teach someone who has absolutely no musical background to actually get a feel for playing the fiddle and excel. He stresses learning the FEEL of Cajun music, something you cant get from a book. His playing is so inspirational, it gives one the commitment to learn. Classes with Al have given me self confidence and a joy I have not often felt. Each class is exciting and fun. Camaraderie is felt by all during the lessons and many heartfelt moments arise.” Lindette Broussard, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Al Berard Cajun Fiddle Instructor Bio: Al Berard, born in, and residing in Cecilia, Louisiana is Cajun, and has been playing music since he was a boy. He is the fiddle player with, and founder of, the Basin Brothers and performed on their Grammy-nominated recording, as well as his current project, "Al Berard Cajun Combo" (www.cajuncombo.com), a fiddle and mandolin based Cajun string trio. He has won “best fiddler” award several times from the Cajun French Music Association in Louisiana and was nominated again recently in 2009. He learned many of his tunes from recordings by Dennis McGee and Dewey Balfa and took his first fiddle lessons from Hadley Castille. He has played with many of the greats of Cajun music and produced the DVD "Al Berard Teaches Cajun Fiddle Basics". He is often one of the most in-demand fiddle instructors for adults at the annual weeklong Louisiana Folkroots Music Camp (www. lafolkroots.org), and also at Augusta Heritage Cajun/Creole Week (www.augustaheritage.com) in West Virginia. He has also taught at “Fiddle Tunes”, Port Townsend, WA.,and has instructed children at the annual weeklong Louisiana Folkroots Kids Music Camp in Lafayette, La. He has taught workshops at many major music festivals throughout the U.S. over the years. Al is available for workshops in Cajun style fiddle, mandolin, and guitar at every level and can present a workshop in ensemble form with Mark and Lisa as well, demonstrating and adding backup techniques. |
