Your Instructors
Your Instructors:
Marc Ladouceur:
Marc Ladouceur has been playing music professionally for over 30 years. You may know him as a member of the popular Alberta bluegrass trio Down to the Wood, where he plays mandolin and guitar. He also performs regularly as a sideman for numerous folk and country artists across western Canada and the United States, including Bob Jahrig, the Swiftys, Karla Anderson, Andrea House and David Francey, and has made appearances at the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival, the Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival, the Great Canadian Barn Dance Festival, the Edmonton, Winnipeg and Canmore Folk festivals, the Dauphin Country Music festival and the Winspear Theatre, among numerous other festivals and shows. Marc's previous teaching assignments include 6 years instructing for the Northern Bluegrass Circle Music Society at Camp He Ho Ha, 3 years at the FAMI camp in Bragg Creek, 3 years at the Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Camp in Haines Junction, Yukon, and at the Sorrento, BC Bluegrass camp.
Be ready to be inspired, learn some great stuff, and above all, have fun!
Phil Shaver:
Born in Ontario, Phil began picking the Banjo at age 12. Legend has it a guitar hanging on the wall fell and hit him square on the head. More than struck by the quasi-spiritual event, Phil picked up the guitar, picked up on the down beat, and has not stopped playing since. Phil moved to Victoria, B.C. and has grown into one of the hardest driving Bluegrass guitarists with a sky scraping tenor and a passionate powerful foot tapping rhythm. Phil is also an accomplished and respected live sound and recording engineer, with many credits to his name.
Tim Cook:
Born in Ontario, Tim started playing Banjo at the age of 7 even though he couldn’t quite reach the tuners with his left hand. By 16 Tim was playing in a number of Banjo competitions and he was also teaching at the local music stores. He played with his brothers in a band known as Backroads. He has recorded with his brother and sings Tenor. He joined Four Chords of Wood in 2004 but has since returned to Ontario. He joins the guys each summer for the festival season.
Aaron Murray:
Aaron was born in New Brunswick to a musical family and has spent his whole life playing acoustic music. He discovered the magic of Bluegrass at the age of 15 while attending a festival on Vancouver Island. Aaron plays the Mandolin and is fond of the styling of Bill Monroe. Aaron loves teaching and prefers to promote the concept of “playing by ear” and provides some of the tools for better improvisation.
David Klassen:
As a child Dave took lessons in piano and guitar and he played the saxophone in school bands. As a young man he played electric bass in Rock bands but then the string bass came into his life and has been his passion ever since. He has played in Victoria since 1998, been a part of many groups and subbed with others. Folk, Country, Celtic, classical are just a few of the genres of music he has played. He has been involved with the Victoria Bluegrass Association and ia an obsessive music collector.
Paul Elliott:
Paul is one of the most versatile fiddle players on the West Coast. His recording credits include film, television, radio and a long list of CD’s. He loves teaching, both privately and at music camps. He is a regular at BC Bluegrass and BC Swing workshops, Puget sound Guitar workshop and California Coast Music Camp.
Lizzy Hoyt:
Born in Edmonton, Alberta to a musical family, Lizzy Hoyt has been performing most of her life. She started playing in Country bands at the age of 15. Initially trained as a classical violinist, she quickly picked up fiddle tunes from her grandfather. As well as a fiddle player she is a fine singer and her musical influences are reflected in her concerts. Country, Celtic, Old-time, Bluegrass and Folk music are all done with equal proficiency.
Trevor Kunkel:
Trevor Kunkel first started his musical journey in the mid 70's playing with his father in the popular Calgary group, the Drylanders. He says that experience helped to shape his future professional career. After graduating from high school he formed and played in various bands until the late 80's when he created the country-recording group, The Kunkel Brothers. Built around a family vocal sound this group recorded, toured and warmed up such groups as, Doug & the Slugs, Matt Minglewood, George Fox and were the backup band for recording artist Ray Griff. Trevor jumped at the opportunity to play with his father again when invited to play at the Great Canadian Barn Dance in '92 as one of the Barn Dance All-Stars. Helping to create the warm experience the Barn Dance is known for, Trevor has passed down his knowledge to his children who help entertain at the Barn with him. Trevor's performance workshop will introduce musicians to pre stage warm up and relaxation techniques, on stage performing do's & don'ts, post performance habits and an overall understanding of the performer’s role to his audience.
Ron Riemann:
Ron has been teaching Social, Latin and Ballroom dance for over 13 years and is a certified instructor. He was taught by Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Calgary and performed in numerous dance competitions throughout Alberta. He enjoys teaching all levels of dance, from kids' classes to Latin and of course, the two-step.
