2009 Traditional Arts Apprenticeships
New England Contra Dance Fiddling

• Rodney Miller, Antrim, master artist – $3,000
• Jon Anderson, Harvard, Mass., apprentice – $1,000

Rodney will be working with Jon to expand his fiddle repertoire from the traditional Southern Appalachian fiddle tunes he currently plays to the distinctive traditions of New England social dance tunes. They will begin their work with techniques that include bow grip, bowing strokes and patterns, ornaments, and drones. They will spend time on the New England dance repertoire and how to play these tunes for dancers. They will cover a wide range of rhythms from the contra dance repertoire including reels, hornpipes, jigs, and waltzes.

Rodney Miller
Photo by Lynn Martin Graton

"Along with the annual town hall meeting, contra dance traditions must be preserved and passed on to future generations as [they] so importantly help define who we are and what we are about as a people." -- Rodney Miller, 2008

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Last updated: October 15, 2008