Instruction

Background & Lessons

Background

Judy Hyman has a B.S. degree in music with a concentration in violin from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and extensive teaching and performing experience.

She is a founding member of the folk-rooted alt-rock band, The Horse Flies, with whom she has toured extensively in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. She's also a founding member of the alternative rock band, Boy with a Fish in which she plays electric violin.

She has toured with and recorded with singer Natalie Merchant, performed in orchestras and quartets, and is active in many fiddle bands.

Critics have described her playing as 'haunting,' 'stirring,' 'powerful,' 'beautiful,' 'rousing', 'fluid' and having 'impeccable intonation' ...

She also writes music for film and tv.

Workshops, Schools, and Camps

For many years Judy has presented workshops at festivals and other weekend events, and has taught at many week-long music schools and camps. She specializes in teaching traditional fiddle music of the American Southeast with all the bowing intricacies that are central to its rhythm and nuance. She also does workshops on her original waltzes, composing for film, violin techniques for fiddlers and fiddle techniques for violinists, and more ...

Some representative programs:
• Mark O'Connor Summer Strings program (for 6 years, now located at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA)
• Festival of American Fiddle Tunes (Port Townsend, WA)
• Augusta Heritage Center (Elkins, WV)
• Ashokan Fiddle and Dance southern week (Ashokan, NY)
• Swannanoa Gathering (Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC)
• Blue Ridge Old-TIme Music week (Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, NC)
• and many more ...

Lessons

Judy teaches both children and adults -- from beginners to experienced players -- fiddle music or classical music. In addition to building repertoire, she focuses on physical technique, which is at the core of skilled, comfortable playing. With all students she incorporates theory and ear training. With children she combines the Suzuki repertoire with fiddle tunes, exercises set to grooves, and appropriate classical pieces in a program to suit the individual and encourage creativity and independent learning.

Lessons can be weekly, or a flexible schedule can be arranged.

Together we can design the right program for you.

Scheduling