2025 teachers
Fiddle training courses, three levels
BRUCE
MOLSKY
Master of old-time music from the southern Appalachians
Bruce Molsky
Grammy-nominated, described as “an absolute master” (No Depression), Bruce Molsky transports audiences to another time and place, with his authentic and personal interpretations of rarities from the Southern Appalachian songbook and other musical traditions from around the globe. Best known for his work on the fiddle, Bruce’s banjo, guitar and his distinctive, powerful vocals also resonate with listeners. His combination of technical virtuosity and relaxed conversational wit makes a concert hall feel like an intimate front porch gathering.
Bruce's take on tradition has landed him in collaborations with some of the world's most highly respected players from roots to rock. He is a special guest on legend rocker Mark Knopfler’s recent CD, “Tracker.” His 1865 Songs of Hope & Home with Anonymous 4, was on Billboard’s top 10 for weeks. Along with Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny, Bruce is a founding member of the supergroup Mozaik, with three recordings. You can see Bruce on the BBC TV “Transatlantic Sessions” with Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, and on “David Holt’s State of Music” on PBS. He stays active touring and recording with longtime collaborators Darol Anger, Tony Trischka and Mountain Drifters’ Allison de Groot.
The July ’24 release of Lockdown Breakdown, Bruce & Darol Anger’s brand new duet fiddle record, is an important pit stop in their years-long trip of collaborating. They continue to love exploring and chasing a shared musical vision that changes and grows as they go, and has powered at least a couple of generations of listeners and players. The project features original compositions, significant vocal songs from America’s recent past, and traditional tunes from all over the world.
February 2022 marked the long-anticipated release of Bruce’s solo guitar CD: “Everywhere You Go,” a coming-together of new interpretations and arrangements of a wide swath of tunes and songs performed in his own quirky and personal finger style guitar.
Bruce holds the title of “Visiting Scholar in the American Roots Music Program” at Berklee College of Music, where he is the go-to guy for the next generation of roots musicians.
“Performing and teaching traditional music are the biggest things in my world. For me, being a musician isn’t a standalone thing; it informs everything I do in my life. It’s always been about being creative and being a part of something much bigger than myself, a link in the musical chain and part of the community of people who play it and love it.”
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PATRICK
OURCEAU
Bearer of traditional irish music
Patrick Ourceau
Violinist Patrick Ourceau discovered traditional Irish music in France in the early 1980s. He learned in France, Ireland, and the United States, discovering and studying the music of legendary musicians such as Paddy Canny and Peter O’Loughlin. Patrick emigrated to New York in the late 1980s, where he quickly found his place in the city's rich Irish music community. A full-time musician for over thirty years, Patrick has toured and played across Europe and North America in various groups, duos, and trios, notably with concertina player Gearoid O’hAllmhurain and the trio Chulrua. His discography includes Tracin’ with Gearoid O’hAllmhurain, Live at Mona's with guitarist Eamon O’Leary, and The Singing Kettle with Chulrua. He also appears on the albums Long Expectant Comes at Last by flutist Cathal McConnell, Celtic Roots by accordionist John Whelan, and on the CD and DVD release of TG4 Geantrai, a compilation celebrating the first ten years of the popular Irish traditional music television show.
Patrick is deeply committed to teaching traditional Irish music. For over twenty-five years, he has been a faculty member at the Catskills Irish Arts Week summer camp in East Durham, New York. He has also regularly taught at many other festivals, summer camps, and Irish music schools in the United States, Canada, as well as in France, Germany, and Ireland, notably at Fleadh Nua in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland.
Since settling in Toronto in 2005, Patrick has shared his knowledge and passion for Irish music with students from Toronto and around the world. He hosts a weekly session at Noonan’s Pub, which has become a cornerstone of the local Irish music community, attracting both local talent and renowned visitors, earning a reputation as one of the best Irish sessions in the country.
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VÉRONIQUE
PLASSE
Québec musical tradition passionate
Véronique Plasse
A classically trained violinist, Véronique Plasse has specialized for several years in traditional Québécois music and is dedicated to promoting Quebec’s living heritage. Her involvement and commitments are driven by three core actions: creating, transmitting, and bringing people together. With the most heartfelt and positive energy, she shares with the public her wealth of cultural know-how, acquired through her encounters and research.
Always guided by her passion for traditional Québécois music, this violinist and singer—active on the international traditional music scene for over 25 years—strongly believes in the importance of continuing to create spaces and moments of beauty and exchange, where human connection drives action. Since 2019, she has been primarily active with the group Bon Débarras.
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Artistic Director
Pascal
Gemme
Pascal Gemme
Pascal Gemme has been actively collecting fiddle tunes from our province for over twenty years, and it is this repertoire that has allowed him to develop his technical mastery of Quebec’s fiddle vocabulary. The international tours of his trio, Genticorum, have earned him recognition both in Quebec and abroad.
Pascal was drawn to fiddle tunes and songs from a very young age, especially those he heard within his family, most notably from his maternal grandfather. It was in the late 1990s that he fully dedicated himself to traditional fiddle music, after earning a diploma in Big Band-style arranging as well as in classical and jazz guitar.
Pascal continues to perform with his trio Genticorum and is now also involved with Danse Trad Waterville, an organization that produces a series of dances primarily in Waterville and the Eastern Townships.
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Québec
Bon
Débarras
Bon Débarras
Bon Débarras unites the worlds of music, dance and poetry through a collaboration between Montreal artists Dominic Desrochers, Jean-François Dumas and Véronique Plasse. Over the years, Bon Débarras moved boldly into an entirely original repertoire steeped in poetry and rhythmic sounds, with unambiguous Quebec flavors. On guitar, banjo, violin and harmonica, the group carries an identity, a style and an energy-filled zest for life quite unique and beautifully served by the versatility of the musicians as well as their daring jigging and vivid body percussion. Bon Débarras’ energy taps into the rhythms of today and ventures boldly on the multi-faceted road to tomorrow’s dreams, in an atmosphere that transcends boundaries and ages.
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Vermont
Becky Tracy +
Keith Murphy
Becky Tracy and Keith Murphy
Becky Tracy and Keith Murphy are dynamic performers of traditional music from Newfoundland, Quebec, Ireland, France and beyond. Tracy’s fiddling pulses through tasteful arrangements of dance tunes and resonates with beauty on traditional slow airs. Keith’s gentle and expressive singing in English and French is balanced by the drive and power of his guitar playing and foot percussion. Combined, they produce a range and richness of sound that is striking for a duo. Their playing is seamless, the result of years of playing together and touring across the U.S., Canada and in Europe. Their repertoire also includes Keith’s original compositions (many of which are included in the Black Isle Music tune collection). He is a prolific tunesmith with a writing style strongly based on traditional dance music. This music is elegantly represented in their duo recording, Golden, released in early 2020.
Keith and Becky were two thirds of the popular Vermont trio, Nightingale and are veterans of several other bands including Childsplay and Assembly (Keith) and Wild Asparagus (Becky). They can be heard on recordings of all these bands and many others. Becky released her first solo recording, Evergreen, in 2001 and in recent years has been active with Eloise & Co which released their debut album, More Please in 2018. Land of Fish and Seals (2018) is Keith’s most recent solo recording.
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Ontario
Alanna Jenish
Alanna Jenish
Winner of a Canadian Folk Music Award in 2025
Alanna Jenish is an award winning Canadian fiddler and guitarist. Based in Peterborough, Ontario, she is widely sought after as a performing and recording artist. Her musical background is diverse, beginning with roots in Canada’s Ottawa-Valley tradition, and expanding through a myriad of folk and fiddle-based genres. In 2017, Alanna graduated from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music with Honours (2017). She has since performed across Canada, the United States and Europe with artists including The Fitzgeralds, Portage, Jane and Kyle and Ryan Young. In 2025, Alanna received a Canadian Folk Music Award for her most recent album ‘Daleview.’
As an instructor, Alanna has worked at various music camps and workshops including the Goderich Celtic College, AlgomaTrad and the Toronto Fiddle Collective. She has appeared at York University Faculty of Music as a guest instructor, and has served as an adjudicator for both classical music festivals and Canadian Old-Time fiddle competitions. At home in Peterborough, Alanna directs the local fiddling ensemble ‘The Seven Hills Fiddle Band.’
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Ontario
Jake
Lauzon
Jake Lauzon
Jake Lauzon began playing guitar at seven years old. Always drawn to folk, roots and bluegrass music, he quickly gained a reputation as an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. Through his teenage years, Jake’s passion for acoustic guitar playing flourished, and now in his early twenties, he maintains a busy schedule freelancing, recording and teach-ing.
Jake fronts one of Ontario’s premier bluegrass bands, Backcountry, and was named the 2018 “Guitar Player of the Year” at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards. An accomplished bluegrass artist, Jake is equally well-versed in Celtic music and co-hosting a popular weekly Irish Session at his local pub.
With the ability to flat-pick the most intricate of fiddle tunes, Jake demonstrates exemplary control and technique on his instrument. His steady, yet dynamic style of rhythm guitar playing has become widely-sought after. Jake has had the honour of sharing the stage with some of Canada’s finest multi-instrumentalists including J.P Cormier and Ray Legere, and has recently become an official artist of Boucher Guitars.
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Lanaudière
Garçons
à marier
Garçons à marier
The trio Garçons à marier embraces the authenticity of Lanaudière and Quebec roots with energetic acoustic arrangements. The group explores modal repertoire—ancient musical modes reimagined with a modern approach. The three musicians offer a vibrant sound deeply rooted in tradition, thanks to their rich experiences. Step into the unique world of Garçons à marier!
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Québec - Ontario
Triptik
Triptik
Marie-Jeanne Brousseau (accordion), Courtney Drew (fiddle), and Alanna Jenish (guitar) are “Triptik.”
With a diverse range of Québécois, Irish and Canadian folk influence, the music speaks for itself in its originality. These three young professionals each contribute a unique musical background, and the combined effect is fresh and captivating in its energy and depth. Hailing from the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Marie-Jeanne Brousseau and Courtney Drew are long-time musical collaborators. Alanna Jenish, from Peterborough, ON contributes her own rhythmic style of guitar accompaniment.
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Eastern Townships
Musique
à bouches
Musique à bouches
Musique à bouches is a vocal ensemble composed of David Bélanger, Olivier Brousseau, Jérôme Fortin, Sylvain Trudel, and Michel Grandmaison, who also brings his own unique flair to podorythmie (a traditional Quebecois foot-tapping rhythm technique).
Resonating with the rhythms of traditional Quebecois songs through a cappella arrangements, this vocal quintet is the result of many years of refinement, evolution, and camaraderie. Drawing inspiration from the pioneers of traditional song, the members work to unearth and revitalize the repertoire, bringing back to life places, characters, and stories that have shaped our collective imagination.
With a constant desire to preserve traditional songs in the collective memory, Musique à bouches has recorded four albums: En spectacle (2009), Jusqu’aux oreilles (2014), L’habit de plumes (2019), and Il est grand temps (2022).
In 2016, the group was named “Vocal Group of the Year” at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and their second album was nominated for “Traditional Album of the Year” at the ADISQ Awards.
Musique à bouches has performed hundreds of shows across various regions, including Quebec, the United States, and France. Wherever they go, they leave no one indifferent. The precision of their voices, the power of their vocal harmonies, and the camaraderie and humor of the five singers on stage allow this a cappella quintet to create truly magical moments!
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Sutton
Willy Lemaistre +
Tristan Henderson
Willy Lemaistre and Tristan Henderson
Willy Lemaistre was involved with music at an early age, growing up in a house where there was no shortage of musicians or instruments. After studying jazz in college, he made his way back to folk and traditional music exploring mainly Québecois and Celtic repertoire. He plays electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin, 4 and 5 string banjos and the irish flute. Over the years he has played mostly local venues with other musicians and bands or solo
A dynamic multidisciplinary artist; painter, poet, singer-songwriter, fiddler, guitarist and jaw harp-ist, you just never know where you'll find Tristan Henderson. He was a winner of the 2013 Young Tradition Vermont talent contest, toured all over US, Canada and beyond with Pete Sutherland and Oliver Scanlon in the trio Pete’s Posse for years, as well as a 2019 tour with Cajun legends Joel Savoy and Jesse Lege in Europe. His Kaleidoscopic musical journey began at the age of 10 with electric guitar, he played a variety of music genres before jumping into traditional music. His ability to play any instrument with strings (and a few without) has made him a sought after accompanist, session musician and performer. An adventurous and powerful rhythm player who can also hold his own on melody and singing, he never ceases to inspire with his boundless energy and joyful performances. Hailing from Vermont originally, he now lives and creates here in Sutton, Québec!
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Eastern Townships
Kevin Hinse +
Marie-Jeanne Brousseau
Kevin Hinse and Marie-Jeanne-Brosseau
Get ready to tap your feet! When Kevin Hinse’s fiery fiddle meets the rhythmic piano of Marie-Jeanne Brousseau, it’s Quebec’s musical tradition getting a fresh new twist. Their electrifying and heartfelt performance breathes new life into classic dance tunes, call-and-response songs, and contagious energy. This dynamic duo turns every show into a one-of-a-kind gathering, where heart, music, and joy come together. A festive, colorful experience rooted in our heritage—one you won’t soon forget!
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Montérégie
Isabelle
Doucet
Isabelle Doucet
Musician, storyteller, and wool artist, Isabelle Doucet has been working in the field of early childhood for 25 years. She has developed a variety of artistic skills for children, including traditional music, dance, wool work, and storytelling.
An accomplished musician, Isabelle has performed as a flutist at several folk music festivals in Quebec and Europe. Her joy in experiencing traditions has inspired her to promote Quebec’s heritage, to share it with those around her, and to reinterpret it through her original creations. This artistic approach offers children a gentle way to discover their roots—and to imagine new ones.
Isabelle was also a member of the Montreal Taiko group Arashi Daiko, and she draws daily inspiration from the philosophy of Japanese drumming: sharing the best of oneself with others, deepening community bonds, and contributing to the collective story of all.
She first discovered the world of storytelling as a sound effects artist and now uses a wide array of instruments in her tales. From wooden flutes to ancient instruments, from the psaltery to various percussion instruments, she accompanies children through both traditional and original stories.
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Lévis
Claudine
Arcand
Claudine Arcand
For over 25 years, Claudine Arcand has been active in the field of traditional Quebec music. She has extensive experience teaching the violin in Quebec, as well as at renowned camps in the United States, conservatories in France, and at the Universities of Limerick (Ireland) and Newcastle (England), where she has given lectures and training sessions on teaching “violin by ear.”
After many years of teaching violin, in 2023 she authored a violin method book that presents the results of her work and research:
“Méthode d’apprentissage du violon à l’oreille – Volume I” (“Learning the Violin by Ear – Volume I”).
Since the beginning of her teaching career, her pedagogical approaches have always been driven by a desire to make the learning process easier and more enjoyable. Her method is based on a coherent and effective progression of skills, offering a path that is well-suited to the student’s age and level.
Now based in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, she leads MusiQue d’ICI (Music, Singing, and Dance Activities and Educational Programs for Children).
Convinced of the importance of making “MusiQue d’ICI” better known to the general public, she has been deeply involved in the design and implementation of the “Folklore d’ICI” program, which is taught in preschool and elementary schools across Quebec, as well as in Francophone communities in Canada and the United States.
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Montréal
Monique
Jutras
Monique Jutras
Monique Jutras offers a true celebration of Quebec folklore for young audiences, whether in schools, theatres, or outdoor programming. On the agenda: an interactive workshop with Monique and her dancing puppets, where children and adults alike will enjoy exploring how to manipulate these delightful little dancers to the sound of songs, mouth music (turlutes), and rigodons played on the harmonica.
The festive atmosphere and the opportunity to participate in the songs, turlutes, and rigodons are sure to delight children as well as their parents—especially newcomers of all ages, who will appreciate learning more about our French and musical traditions of the Americas.
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Vermont
Ian
Drury
Ian Drury
Ian Drury has a life-long connection to traditional music and dance, having been raised in Vermont by parents steeped in Franco-American, Irish, and other traditional music and dance communities. He is passionate about making Vermont’s traditional music and dance accessible to individuals and our greater community to ensure every family is valued, seen, and supported.
Drury lives in Essex Junction, Vermont with his wife Aricha and their four kids. He loves his work, hiking, paddle boarding, playing the accordion, banjo, drums, guitar, and mandolin, his dog, and spending time together as a family.
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Vermont
Sap
Line
Sap Line
With their sound firmly rooted in the music of New England & Maritime Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and Appalachia, Sap Line blends these connected traditions to explore a rich palette of harmonic possibilities. They bring an astonishing number of instruments to the stage, adding a fresh and youthful flavor to their arrangements of energetic jigs and reels, lyrical 3-part harmony singing, and foot-stomping Old Time favorites. Together, Sap Line taps into the legacy of musicians who have mentored and inspired them, sharing the joy of traditional music in dynamic, high-spirited performances.
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The callers
Montréal
Yaëlle
Azoulay
Yaëlle Azoulay
Yaëlle Azoulay has been involved in the dance world for over 25 years. She is a dancer/choreographer in contemporary gigue and teaches in various contexts around the world. In addition, she has used her background in communications, history, and cultural practices and interventions to propelherself into a career in dance management. After 6 years with Zeugma dance company as a coadministrator and later a booking agent, Yaëlle quickly developed a passion for the latter and decided to represent artists locally and internationally. Since 2018, she is director of the Dance department at Résonances Agency, being in charge of the development and booking activities of eleven Quebecois dance companies. Her human approach, her passion for dance, and her deep regard for initiatives that involve social action are but a few of the many strengths that contribute to Yaëlle’s success in the dance world.
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Eastern Townships
Marie-Soleil
Pilette
Marie-Soleil Pillette
Marie-Soleil Pilette has been active in traditional Québécois dance for 25 years. A member of the Danse trad Waterville committee, she calls dances and helps promote traditional dance evenings in the Estrie region. A choreographer, step dancer, performer, and dance caller, she also holds a bachelor's degree in contemporary dance from UQAM. As the founder of the company SANS TEMPS danse, she played a leading role in the revival of staged step dancing in the 2000s. She has performed and taught step dancing in various locations across North America and Europe, notably with the group Rapetipetam, as well as a guest step dancer with musical ensembles. She is a dynamic and well-regarded instructor.
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Festival Activities
CONCERTS
As is our tradition, the Main Stage Concerts take place under the tent from Friday to Sunday, with happy hours to start the evening.
Main stage concerts
Our traditional main concerts take place under the big tent, both in the evening and in the afternoon, from Friday to Sunday. Each concert features two to three 50-minute performances by guest artists, coming from Canada and the United States.
Happy hours are concerts set in a relaxed athmoshphere, early in the evening!
FIDDLE
WORKSHOPS
2-day Fiddle Workshops offered by 3 renowned teachers for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
Fiddle workshops
Workshops led by three renowned violin instructors: Bruce Molsky, Patrick Ourceau and Véronique Plasse.
Participants, upon registering for the workshops, choose their level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) based on their experience and comfort in a learning context.
Each workshop session (1.5 hours per session) divides the three groups into separate rooms, with each group assigned a specific instructor. From one workshop to the next, and from day to day, the instructors will take turns teaching all three groups. This approach allows participants, regardless of their level, to benefit twice from a wide variety of instruction, repertoires, approaches, and techniques, providing a comprehensive experience.
As a bonus, workshop participants can attend the teachers’ concert on Thursday evening, as well as a “special workshop” session. On Friday, a review of the pieces learned in the different groups will bring together all participants from the workshops.
An instrument deposit will be available for all registered workshop attendees.
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THEMATIC
WORKSHOPS
Festival artists meet on stage and take turns sharing a tune with their colleagues and audience members.
Thematic Workshops
At the Festival, artists come together on stage, taking turns to share a piece with their colleagues and the audience. These encounters, marked by a friendly atmosphere, provide wonderful opportunities to exchange and explore repertoire from both here and elsewhere, as well as compare different styles of traditional violin playing.
MASTER CLASSES
Advanced classes and talks with Festival artists, focused on sharing their unique experience and their approach to their practice.
Master classes
Des cours de perfectionnement offerts par des artistes du Festival, axés sur le partage de leur expérience et leur approche. Des rendez-vous uniques à ne pas manquer !
DANCES
Traditional dance evenings (Quebec traditional dance) with live music provided by Festival artists.
Dances
Des veillées de danse traditionnelle accompagnées par des artistes du Festival. Le Balfolk se déroule au son de pièces à danser tirées de différents répertoires et styles principalement européens, tandis que la danse trad québécoise est câllée et fait appel à des musiciens qui joueront des airs du Québec. Rafraîchissements en vente sur place.
JAM SESSIONS
Traditional music jam sessions take place during the day as well as at the end of the evening, in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all levels!
Jam sessions
Several sessions of traditional music take place during the day as well as in the evening. These are excellent opportunities to learn and share repertoire with other festival-goers and Festival artists in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all levels!
A free instrument deposit is available during the day from Thursday to Sunday.
ICEBERGS:
THE ROAD OF THE GIANTS
La Fabrique Culturelle's tour stops on Saturday with an immersive 360-degree experience.
CHILDREN'S
FESTIVAL
Free activities for children that help them develop their artisic and musical talents.
Children's festival
Year after year, our children’s festival allows children to learn the violin, participate in artistic activities, and make it “their” festival. Thanks to the recurring support of the Boulanger-Bédard Foundation, we offer them an opportunity to be introduced to the arts in an informal and playful context.
All festival activities (except for the training stage) are offered free of charge to young people under 15.
POETRY
IN THE WOODS
In partnership with the Parc d'environnement naturel de Sutton, an actitvity on the Mountain-Village trail.
Poetry in the woods
Activity in partnership with the Sutton Natural Environment Park
Ms. Zazou will host this joyful roaming event along the Lower Village-Mountain trail on the upcoming 17th. Sutton’s most famous clown will guide you through the bucolic improvisations of four local artists, who will each perform four poems or drawings randomly selected from the expressions of gratitude collected throughout the year on the little bench along the Village-Mountain trail.
Tristan Henderson, a multi-instrumentalist based in Sutton, will join the activity with his violin.
More details here: https://parcsutton.com/activites/poesie-buissonniere
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MANDOLINISTS' ROUND TABLE
A roundtable dedicated to the mandolin, highlighting this instrument to share musical experiences and explore its evolution through time and styles.
Mandolinists' round table
Sutton Museum of Communications and History
32 Principale South Street, Sutton (QC) J0E 2K0
The festival is proud to present a roundtable dedicated to the mandolin, highlighting this instrument to share musical experiences and explore its evolution through time and styles.
Pop-up Mandolin Exhibition – Starting at 10 a.m.
From the 19th and 20th centuries to today
At 11 a.m.,
The event will be hosted by Jonathan Bélanger, alongside the guest mandolinists of the 12th edition of the Sutton Traditional Fiddle Festival. Together, they will share their musical journeys and showcase their talents.
FREE Event
A voluntary contribution to the Sutton Museum of History is suggested.
Also available on site
Bar and snacks
Instrument check
CD Shop
Lutherie service
Camping (with showers)
Proximity to all services in the village
Local and Cultural Partners
