Fiddle Camp 2025
First week of August | Ages 6+ | All Skill Levels Welcome
Each summer, the Nanaimo Fiddle Society hosts its flagship event: Summer Fiddle Camp, a vibrant, multi-day music experience held during the first week of August. Running from Monday evening to Friday afternoon, the camp offers high-quality instruction, community connection, and joyful celebration of Canadian fiddle and folk music traditions.
Designed for musicians of all ages and skill levels, the camp welcomes participants from across Vancouver Island and beyond, with instruction available for violin, viola, cello, guitar, piano, and mandolin. Note: Children under the age of 10 years must be accompanied by an adult.
What to Expect
- Daily Classes & Rehearsals: Participants enjoy over three hours of daily instruction in small groups (10–15 students), divided by age and ability. Personalized attention and engaging group learning foster skill development and confidence.
- Collaborative Folkband Class: All participants come together—regardless of skill level—to rehearse and perform ensemble arrangements, building teamwork and musical creativity.
- Evening Activities: Evening jam sessions and an instructor showcase offer even more opportunities to connect, play, and be inspired.
- Final Concert: The week culminates in a celebratory concert where participants showcase what they’ve learned.
Midweek Community Performance
A camp highlight is our midweek Downtown Nanaimo Night Market performance, where students and instructors share the joy of fiddle music with the wider community—followed by an open jam session that invites everyone to join in!
Professional Instruction
Our camp is led by 5–6 professional instructors, selected for their expertise in both traditional and contemporary Canadian fiddle styles. With a focus on inclusivity and musical excellence, our faculty ensures that every participant receives a rich, meaningful experience.
Location
Past venues have included Spruston Road Campsite, Aspengrove School, and Trinity Catholic Church, chosen for their welcoming atmosphere and ability to support indoor/outdoor learning, community building, and music-making.
Whether you're a first-time fiddler or an experienced player, Summer Fiddle Camp is an unforgettable opportunity to grow your musical skills, make lasting friendships, and celebrate the joy of fiddle music in a warm, inclusive environment.
To register, you must have a current membership (purchased separately). Sorry! It’s an insurance thing. Visit Membership to purchase a membership prior to registering.
For more information, see the “Frequently Asked Questions” below.
Fees
Fiddle Camp (Full day) for the week | $420 |
Large Ensemble Class (Folk Band) | $105 |
Accompaniment Class (Folk Band Class Included) | $185 |
Bursaries may cover full or partial program fees and/or instrument rental costs, depending on financial need and available funding. Learn more about our Fiddle Futures Bursary Program, here.
Questions: Email us at nanaimofiddlesociety@gmail.com
Accommodation Options
- Many Local Bed and Breakfasts
- Coast Bastion Hotel Nanaimo
- Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo
- Harbour Light Motel
- Microtel Inn by Wyndham Oyster Bay, BC.
- Limited dry camping on site
- Full service camping at Mountainaire Campground and RV Park
Meet the instructors
Dedicated professionals have been leading our events for years.
Gabriel Dubreuil
Is a highly sought after fiddler, multi-instrumentalist, composer, sideman, bandleader, and producer with an impressive musical background. He was born and raised in British Columbia, where he fell in love with the fiddle at a young age. Over the years, Gabriel has mastered multiple instruments across a wide range of musical genres, blending Celtic, Canadian fiddle, jazz, swing, and rock styles with style and flair.
Jennie Bice
Fiddler, singer, actor, composer, educator Jennie Bice is at home in many musical genres. From frenzied boot-stomping Celtic, east coast, roots and rhythm styles, to world fusion, rock, jazz and blues, Jennie shines on every stage she meets.
JJ Guy
An inductee to The North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame, JJ Guy makes waves all across fiddle community! His performances while steeped in tradition, have taken fiddle music to a new and exciting level! Growing up in rural Saskatchewan surrounded by fiddle music, this tradition is now reflected in his own playing and his passion for the music. It is often said that "to hear JJ play is to witness a tune come alive."
Gordon Stobbe
Gordon, originally from Saskatchewan, has made his home on the East Coast of Canada since 1977. His musical interests lie in the field of traditional music, especially as it is expressed in the wide variety of North American fiddle styles. He plays several instruments including fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and clawhammer banjo.
Trish Horrocks
Trish Horrocks studied music at UVic and Western University and has been teaching violin and viola in Nanaimo for twenty years. During that time she has helped to develop a thriving Suzuki program and has also created and coached several classical and folk ensembles including the Nanaimo Youth Orchestra, Folk Band, and Fiddelium.
Schedule
Monday | Tuesday | Wedsnesday | Thursday | Friday |
|
9:00 to 11:45
classes 10 - 10:45 - accompaniment class | 9:00 to 11:45 classes | 9:00 to 11:45 classes | 9:00 to 11:45 classes | |
LUNCH | LUNCH | LUNCH | LUNCH | |
| 12:45 to 2:30 classes | 12:45 to 2:30 classes | 12:45 to 2:30 classes |
1pm - Final Concert | |
6-8:30pm Kick-off BBQ and Jam | Free evening | 6pm Jam Session Timberline Pub | 7pm Night Market Performance Commercial Street | See you next year! |
Is this an all-ages camp?
Yes! We welcome fiddle players aged 6 years and up. Please note that students under the age of 10 require a chaperone on site during camp.
Do I have to be an advanced player to attend?
Absolutely not! As long as you can play a few basic tunes, you will get a lot out of this camp. Unfortunately, we do not offer a "first time fiddle" class at this camp. We divide our classes by skill level and age based on a skills questionnaire that all students are asked to complete, so you will be placed in a class that works for you.
I'm a classical player. Is this camp for me?
It certainly is. Folk fiddle tunes are fun to play, and the growing fiddle community is a really fun place to connect and play music with other people. Hey, Bach and Vivaldi wrote many dozens of jigs: they just spelled it in a fancy way!
Are there part-time options for this camp?
Yes! You can choose to attend the 9am Folk Band class on its own, and we also offer a morning class just for the accompanists out there (guitar, piano, mandolin, ukelele).
Do I need to know how to read music to attend?
No. Typically, all the tunes taught in class are taught without sheet music, to help students build the important skill of learning by ear. Don't worry....our teachers are all very skilled at teaching by ear and they help you along the way! At the end of the week, all sheet music will be made available to camp participants.
What is Folk Band class?
This 9am class is intended for every member of the camp. Trish will create a musical arrangement (or two!) that allows everyone from beginner to advanced to play together. The simplest parts have open strings and simple scales, and there are more difficult parts for intermediate and advanced players (along with a very groovy chord chart for our rhythm players). About 5 weeks prior to camp, you will be given access to sheet music, recordings, and teaching videos to help you get familiar with your Folk Band parts.
Is there accommodation nearby?
There is limited camping available right on site at Spruston Road Bible Camp, in addition to other camp grounds near the venue. Watch our website for information about camping fees and other accommodations options.
Where can we go to get lunch each day?
Spruston Road Bible Camp is 20 minutes south of Nanaimo. Given that our lunch break is only 45 minutes each day, we definitely recommend that you bring your snacks and lunches with you each day. The kitchen is not available for use by camp attendees. Please be sure to plan to be self-sufficient for your own food storage and preparation, dishes, and clean-up.
Why do I have to be a member of the fiddle society?
Our insurance provider requires all attendees of the camp to hold a membership with the Nanaimo Fiddle Society. We don't make the rules - we just try to follow them! Become a Member
There will be coffee and tea on site (by donation), but please bring your reusable cup. And don't forget your water bottle!