Fiddle & Violin Lessons with Cori Jo

Introduction: My goal is to help students find the fun and passion in learning music. I help students understand that music is an incredible way of expressing themselves. Having been classically trained, I believe that fundamentals and technical skills need to be taught and are very important for students to learn and grow. Although, having played fiddle, guitar, mandolin, singing and yodeling as a professional performance musician, I also feel that it is important to show them how to get excited about playing music through the interests of their own heart. I truly believe in learning the skill of listening. Reading is key and is the building block needed to allow the player to be proficient, but my students also learn to find the freedom in music. I believe in teaching ear listening and improvisational skills, along with reading notated music. More often than not, this very important skill is not taught and ignored. This type of training opens the box from confinement, rules and restrictions to being a truly free musician. Students will reach their highest potential by learning music in a way that is fun and applicable to their lives. What is your favorite song? What song do you like singing? Let's learn how to play it! Students can take what they learn and apply it in a more exciting way that keeps them interested and passionate about music. They learn how to express themselves in a musical, creative way. Playing the fiddle for 26 years and professionally for 10, I have devoted much of my life to this art of expression. I have played on stage all through the midwest at many bluegrass festivals, including Silver Dollar City starting at the age of 7 and growing up with a bluegrass band. I have played at multiple theatrical shows, including Dixie Stampede, Fiddler's Feast and Black Bear Jamboree as the highlighted fiddle player in Pigeon Forge, TN. I have also played fiddle in a country band playing gigs all over the midwest, sharing the stage and opening for acts that include Rhonda Vincent, Clint Black, Diamond Rio, Tracy Lawrence, Jack Ingram, Uncle Kracker and Easton Corbin just to name a few. Music is obviously a true love. I find enjoyment in teaching what I have learned through the years and watching students learn how to love music, applying it to their own style in life.