Hi, my name is Elizabeth, and I'm going to be a senior in high school this year. I was wondering if there are any Irish fiddle teachers in the Boston area (preferably around Brookline) who have open spots in the fall for a new student. I would like to take a lesson every other week or so. Any advice or info would be a great help, thanks a bunch.
Hi Elizabeth, Have you been to O'Leary's Pub & Restaurant on Beacon Street in Brookline for the Sunday night session? (you don’t have to be 21) It starts at 7:00pm. Peter Molloy and Tina Lech lead this weekly session. Tina is a gorgeous, top notch fiddle player. I'm not sure if she's still doing lessons. A woman I know from Vermont used to take lessons with Tina. I would stop in O'Leary's for a listen and then talk to her during a break. If she isn't teaching, I'm sure she will be able to recommend some good Irish fiddle teachers. O'Leary's is near the Dunken Donuts and a bank. So definitely check out this session.
Phew! I'm glad Joyce found the address! There are Dunkin' Donuts everywhere in New England. In my tiny village there are two within less than 1/4 mile of each other.
I've forwarded a link to your question to my friend Christie Gilliland, who teaches fiddle, so if she contacts you, you'll know where she heard about it.
Hi Elizabeth, I'm a Boston-area resident, too, and while I can't claim to have an encyclopedic knowledge of local fiddle teachers, I'd definitely endorse Tina Lech as well as George Keith. I believe George will be teaching through the Boston Comhaltas branch this fall, in fact: You can look at their Web site, at http://www.comhaltasboston.org/.
If you haven't already, try out The Burren in Somerville on Sunday afternoons -- from what I understand, that session has become a kind of meeting place for younger (i.e. college, high school) musicians, and you might get some other good leads there.
Will try to think of some more. Hope to see you around!
I would also strongly recommend Tina Lech. She's a wonderful, kind person, a beautiful player and a mainstay of the Boston music scene. She can be found at O'Leary's at 1010 Beacon St in Brookline (St. Mary's St exit on the green-line) around 7 every Sunday.
Tommy Peoples is, as I understand it, no longer in Boston, having recently gone back to Ireland "for good".
Another person to consider is the equally wonderful Laurel Martin at Boston College. Laurel is a longtime student and friend of Seamus Connelly and has herself been teaching some of the brightest young stars in the Boston scene. Laurel is friendly, fun, a great teacher and plays beautifully. I think you could get in touch with her through Seamus Connelly in the department of Irish studies at BC.
Oh yes, how could I forget about Laurel. I had the pleasure and honor of meeting her at my friends' house session a few months ago. I second Chris on that recommendation! Elizabeth, if you email me through this website, I'm sure I could get Laurel's email from my friends I just mentioned.
Yeah, I went to Tommy People's last session a couple weeks or so ago (just listened). It was the same day Cork beat Wexford in hurling! I'll be back down in Boston for the hurling All Ireland and hopefully another session. Go Cork!!
Boston Irish Fiddle Teachers
Boston Irish Fiddle Teachers
Hi, my name is Elizabeth, and I'm going to be a senior in high school this year. I was wondering if there are any Irish fiddle teachers in the Boston area (preferably around Brookline) who have open spots in the fall for a new student. I would like to take a lesson every other week or so. Any advice or info would be a great help, thanks a bunch.
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by littlebit1887
Re: Boston Irish Fiddle Teachers
Hi Elizabeth, Have you been to O'Leary's Pub & Restaurant on Beacon Street in Brookline for the Sunday night session? (you don’t have to be 21) It starts at 7:00pm. Peter Molloy and Tina Lech lead this weekly session. Tina is a gorgeous, top notch fiddle player. I'm not sure if she's still doing lessons. A woman I know from Vermont used to take lessons with Tina. I would stop in O'Leary's for a listen and then talk to her during a break. If she isn't teaching, I'm sure she will be able to recommend some good Irish fiddle teachers. O'Leary's is near the Dunken Donuts and a bank. So definitely check out this session.
Best of Luck
Joyce
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by JMH
Re: Boston Irish Fiddle Teachers
I just looked it up, the street # for O'Leary's is 1010.
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by JMH
Re: Boston Irish Fiddle Teachers
Phew! I'm glad Joyce found the address! There are Dunkin' Donuts everywhere in New England. In my tiny village there are two within less than 1/4 mile of each other.
I've forwarded a link to your question to my friend Christie Gilliland, who teaches fiddle, so if she contacts you, you'll know where she heard about it.
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by GaryAMartin
Re: Boston Irish Fiddle Teachers
Hi Elizabeth, I'm a Boston-area resident, too, and while I can't claim to have an encyclopedic knowledge of local fiddle teachers, I'd definitely endorse Tina Lech as well as George Keith. I believe George will be teaching through the Boston Comhaltas branch this fall, in fact: You can look at their Web site, at http://www.comhaltasboston.org/.
If you haven't already, try out The Burren in Somerville on Sunday afternoons -- from what I understand, that session has become a kind of meeting place for younger (i.e. college, high school) musicians, and you might get some other good leads there.
Will try to think of some more. Hope to see you around!
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by sts
Re: Boston Irish Fiddle Teachers
Is'nt Tommy Peoples still teaching in Somerville?
# Posted on September 1st 2004 by Murph
Re: Boston Irish Fiddle Teachers
I would also strongly recommend Tina Lech. She's a wonderful, kind person, a beautiful player and a mainstay of the Boston music scene. She can be found at O'Leary's at 1010 Beacon St in Brookline (St. Mary's St exit on the green-line) around 7 every Sunday.
Tommy Peoples is, as I understand it, no longer in Boston, having recently gone back to Ireland "for good".
Another person to consider is the equally wonderful Laurel Martin at Boston College. Laurel is a longtime student and friend of Seamus Connelly and has herself been teaching some of the brightest young stars in the Boston scene. Laurel is friendly, fun, a great teacher and plays beautifully. I think you could get in touch with her through Seamus Connelly in the department of Irish studies at BC.
Peace,
Chris
# Posted on September 1st 2004 by ChrisLaughlin
Re: Boston Irish Fiddle Teachers
Oh yes, how could I forget about Laurel. I had the pleasure and honor of meeting her at my friends' house session a few months ago. I second Chris on that recommendation! Elizabeth, if you email me through this website, I'm sure I could get Laurel's email from my friends I just mentioned.
Yeah, I went to Tommy People's last session a couple weeks or so ago (just listened). It was the same day Cork beat Wexford in hurling! I'll be back down in Boston for the hurling All Ireland and hopefully another session. Go Cork!!
Joyce
# Posted on September 1st 2004 by JMH