When Connie and her husband Richard moved back to Moncton, New Brunswick from Ontario to keep house for her father, she had time to take up the violin again. She had previously learned to play while in the Moncton High School Orchestra some thirty years before.
After a few months of lessons from Nadine Lipton, and working through the Suzuki books on her own, a friend suggested she try out for the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers. This friendly group welcomed her and Connie began to learn some of the hundreds of tunes they play.
The Wednesday evening practice sessions also made a great outing for Connie's father, Ernest Josiah, whose own father, Arthur Jonah, had been "the fiddler" in the Portage Vale area of NB for many years. In spite of a badly broken shoulder a few years ago, Connie is still fiddling and having a great time.
Donna says, "In the beginning, I was a Stubble-jumper.' I was from a village in Saskatchewan so small the hospital was named Marquis Hospital and Grill. Says, she took her prairie Schooner with her when she joined the Navy. Twenty nine years and twenty nine days later she saw the world . . . finally. Retirement arrived quickly . . . Sitting back with the feet up was not a possibility. Music took over her life again. She re-learned the bagpipes, after ceasing for thirty years. She is a piper with the Codiac R. C. M. P. Pipes and Drums Band, of Greater Moncton, NB. Donna commenced playing the fiddle in the summer of 1997 when a group of friends decided to go to the Gaelic College, at St Ann's, Cape Breton, NS. She says Jack Bulmer gave them all a kick-start in more ways than one. She also says, "So here I am, learning the million tunes out there, and threating many times to use the fiddle as fire wood."
Lina was born and raised in Moncton. She and her husband Gerald, are now retired, and live in Dieppe. Fiddling plays an important part in her life. One Christmas she gave a violin to her husband, then confiscated it, and tried some melodies on it herself. Lina learned to play that fiddle, and has never looked back. Gerald only gets to look at the fiddle now, but don’t worry! He has his own accordion and mouthorgan on which he is very accomplished. With a family there was not much time to practice, but once in a while Lena would learn a couple of jigs and reels. She joined the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers in1988. Since then, with Ivan and Vivian's help and encouragement, she has come a long way, and hopes to continue for a long time yet. She says, "Music is a great hobby, and fiddling is with me to stay" Lina’s beautiful composition, "La Valse a Ste Cecile" can not only be found in our book of 20 Original Compositions but on several recordings across Canada. Lena adds her lively vocals to some of Acadian tunes which we play. A humble person by nature, she can be rightfully proud of her musical family. Her daughter Yvonne Auffrey is an active member of the group. Her granddaughter Melanie Richard, and grandson Denis Richard are past members but remain active musicians.
Norman started playing the fiddle in the fall of 1991. He took lesson's from several instructors, Ivan Hicks, Ernest Despres and Margaret Wood. He learned many things from each of them. He is grateful to them for their talents and skills in teaching him some of the basics he needed to be able to play the fiddle. He has played guitar for many years and is sure this has helped a great deal with these basics. He is getting great satisfaction from playing with so many great fiddlers, and in being able to share music with those who attend our concerts in theaters or homes. Following in the footsteps of his well known fiddling dad, Charlie Roach from Perth Andover, NB, who composed "Charlie Roach’s Jig," Norm composed a fine tune called "Norms Jig." Norm is another of those confident fiddle leaders, who often fills in for Ivan. He worked many years as a Technician with the Canadian Dept of Transport, and recently retired from its successor, NAV Canada. He has his pilot’s license, and is building his own ‘home built in his spare time. He lives in Moncton with his wife Judy.
Jack was born in the picturesque fishing village of Prospect, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia, but his working career was in Toronto, Ont., and Moncton, NB, with Canadian National Railways. He transferred from Toronto to Moncton in 1973, then resided in Riverview, NB, with his wife Dianne and three children. Jack's mother played the organ and piano and directed the Church Choir, so music was a large part of his early years. He began his fiddling career in 1991 by taking fiddle lessons from Ernest Drepres. Jack is a member of Ernest's famous Greater Moncton Fiddlers, and is also a member of a smaller Riverview group called, Fiddling Friends. He began playing regularly with our Sussex Avenue Fiddlers in 2002. He says music is a very important part of his life and he looks forward to many more music filled years.
Jerry was born, and raised in Springhill, NS, moved to Halifax, where he worked for the Federal Government, as a Senior Customs Officer and Officer for the Department of Human Resources Canada, retired back to Springhill in 1994, and just this past year, 2001, he moved to Riverview, NB. He began playing the fiddle at sixteen, self taught as many of us are, but when family and work commitments took priority, he set the fiddle aside until he was ready to retire. In 1994 he again took up the fiddle, this time with real enthusiam, and often has a little stepdance to go with his tunes. He enjoys playing with the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers, and is an enthusiastic supporter of all the Fiddle Doos that are sponsored by the Maritime Fiddlers Association. Jerry also plays the Banjo and Guitar, but says his favorite is the fiddle.
Bill was born and grew up in Amherst, Nova Scotia. He was interested in music from an early age and took violin lessons from age nine to thirteen. He was influenced by his father, Carl Stultz, who was a well known fiddler in the Amherst area with his own band. Retired, after dedicating thirty four years of employment to Canadian National Railways, Bill now very much enjoys fiddling as a hobby. As well as enjoying the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers, he also practices and performs at the Tignish Community Hall in Tignish, NS, with the "Pic and Gin Family." Bill appreciates meeting people and making good friends through his association with fiddling, some turning out to be good ski buddies.
Chris was very fond of music as early as she can remember. She learned to play chords on the piano, and then progressed to jigs, reels, etc. In 1991, there was an opportunity for her to join a beginner group of Sussex Avenue Fiddlers, known as the "Great Expectations." The only stipulation was that she would first learn some tunes from a beginners tape. She worked at this tape all summer, and was ready to fiddle when the class started in September. She uses a fiddle made by her son-in-law Tony Tucker, who learner the fiddle making art from Jim MacCleave, a well known fiddler maker from the Oxford, Nova Scotia area, for who the tune ‘Jim the Fiddler Maker is named after. Chris is very happy to be a member of the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers, and has enjoyed the many wonderful group trips, including Nashville. She says, "Wednesday night practices are a high for me!" A native of Earltown, Colchester County NS, she now lives in Riverview, New Brunswick. She sings in the Lady Barber Shoppers Choir, active in Church work, and at least once a week you will find her volunteering at the Caring Kitchen in Moncton.
Old Time fiddle music was very much a part of Clarke's early years. He has many fond memories of his dad playing most of the traditional tunes that are still enjoyed today. Clarke inherited his dad's violin, and resolved, that someday he too, would learn too play. An early retirement provided the opportunity and the necessary time, and now, fiddling has become an important and enjoyable part of his life. He treasures the new friendships he has found in the fiddling community and enjoys attending many of the related events throughout the Maritimes. His composition, "My First Waltz With You" written for his wife Hazel, has been recorded by other musicians, attesting to its popularity. Clarke and Hazel, are originally from Ontario and now live in Moncton, NB. When they are not on tour to Nashville with the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers, you may find him on his hobby farm in Albert County, attending his Christmas trees.
Peter is a what we used to call, ‘A Down Homer’-one from down home - you know Port Elgin, Baie Verte, Cape Tormentine, those areas. Nearing retirement from his maintenance job he mentioned to Ivan, "if now I only could play the fiddle like you, life would be complete." Ivan replied, "why don’t you try." In 1997, he took Ivan's advice and started playing. Peter has come a long way since then, and after traveling to Nashville, he has his sights set on Carnegie Hall. If I know Peter (and Ivan) he just might make it. Peter lives in Moncton, NB, with his wife Wanda.
Marvena Welling was born into a musical family in an area that is now known as Chignecto Campground in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick. She has entertained many fiddlers in her home including Eleanor & Graham Townsend, Vivian & Ivan Hicks, Matilda Murdoch, and a very special Aunt Myrtle Richards who fiddled for over seventy-five years. Marvena has accompanied, on piano, many Maritime fiddlers. She composed "Chignecto Waltz," toured to Nashville, is our Treasuer, and as a Charter Member of the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers, she is very much respected. She lives in Moncton with her husband Don.
Ben says, "In fiddle music my Mentor was Al Cherny. Al grew up in Medicine Hat, Alta, approximately one hour from my home town. I had opportunities to attend some of his performances, but it wasn't until Al brought a group of musicians from Medicine Hat to play for a wedding party in my home town that I decided I must acquire my first fiddle. I spent many hours finding my own way, learning to play a few tunes without the aid of written music, or any form of instruction. Meanwhile I had been playing the stand up base, with two of my brothers as a trio. We played for many country gigs, with accordian, rhythm guitar, bass, and vocals. My fiddle would remain in its case till many years later. Meanwhile Al Cherny advanced into many musical ventures, eventually taking King Ganam's place on the Tommy Hunter Country Hoedown Show, ending any hopes of my getting fiddle tips from him. Relocating to Calgary, to work in the maintence department for the school board, I played base for several groups, in clubs, lounges, community events, and private functions. Once again I met Al Cherny, serving on a panel of judges at a fiddle contest. I remember Al talking about a visit to the Maritimes, and how impressed he was with the number of fiddlers, and the quality of their talent. Al's passing was a sad loss to fiddle music. After retiring from employment in Calgary, my wife, Helen, and I moved to the Maritimes (Greater Moncton area), where I have met many talented fiddlers. Many years after my initial interest in the fiddle, I joined Ivan Hick's Sussex Avenue Fiddlers, and look forward to many happy hours of fiddling."
Dominique is another up and coming teen fiddler who comes from the Memramcook area of New Brunswick. She is a very talented and confident fiddler. It's not easy to get an invitation to compete at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship in Nepean, Ontario, but Dominique did in 2000, which surely attests to her fiddle playing ability. She plays for many entertainments throughout the Maritimes, one of which was for Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada and Le Congres Mondial des Acadiens . She has been invited to play at the Louisiana Celebrations in the USA, Nuit Celtique in France, Celtica 2004 Festival in Italy and many other large events. She is certainly making a name for herself in the International stage and regularly plays in Europe. Dominique has taken classical music lessons from Monique Girouard, and fiddle lessons from Stacey Read of Sackville, NB. She has two excellent CDs out called "Le Bonheur des Coups d'Archet" and "Sans Relache".
Janelle comes to our Sussex Avenue Fiddlers from the Memramcook, N.B. area, and is another of our gifted youngsters that is bubbling over with rhythm, which is so evident in her playing. There is no mistaking that she enjoys playing her fiddle. She has been playing at age four, starting with lessons from Jocelyn Bourque and later went on to Stacey Read, of Sackville NB, as well classical violin lessons from Monique Girouard . Janelle is also a member of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra. She has always placed high in all the competitions and Music Festivals that she has entered. Janelle was also invited to preform in Louisiana, USA, for the Acadian World Congress Celebrations and Expo 2005 in Japan and has since then been invited back to Japan multiple times. She was invited to record with Ivan Hicks and Ned Landry on their most recent CD release, "Generations." She's also released two of her own CDs, "Projections", and "Encore". Janelle enjoys preforming at local benefits and seniors homes, and hopes that her music will make your toes tap!!
Bernard, son of Murray and Jessie Friars, was born in Sussex, NB. His first memories were of his mum and dad playing accordion and mouth organ for house parties. His brother Wayne, encouraged Bernie, at age 60, to learn to play the violin. So in 1990, with more time on his hands, he thought he’d give it a try, and by 1991 he had even made his first violin. He joined Ivan & Vivian Hicks and the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers in '95. Bernie said he had made many wonderful friends through fiddling and hated to miss anything that went on in the fiddling world. For many years the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers had been guests at Bernie and his wife Connie’s church for a musical service. After church it was off to Bernie and Connie’s home in Sussex, NB, for a winter’s day of fiddling, fellowship and fine dining! Bernie and Connie traveled to Nashville with the Sussex Ave Fiddlers, and joined Ivan and Vivian on their Canadian Tour 2000. Bernie liked to tinker at repairing old clocks.
Georgina was born in Havelock, New Brunswick. She took violin lessons for three years and learned to read music from John Ness who lived in Belleisle Creek. Georgina left home when she was fifteen, so music was left behind until 1987, when she began to have weekly get togethers at her home in Sussex Corner, NB. Now she travels as often as she can to Riverview, to play with the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers. She says, "it is a joy to get together and play with the fiddlers, - its a life saver". Georgina traveled to Nashville with us, composed "Waltz for Howard and Joyce," and opens her home to many a house party - especially after a fiddle doo, in Sussex!
Jacques, one of oldest of our youth fiddlers he can bow his way through most any difficult tune. He has taken a few lessons from Jocelyn Bourque and Margaret Wood and he himself now teaches at the Chocolate River Conservatory of Music in Dieppe, NB. So far he has stuck to the fiddle, but it may not be long until he branches out to other instruments. He lives in Scoudouc, NB and when he wants a break he takes to the golf links.
Ted was born in Argyle, Guysborough Co., NS. He began playing the fiddle around age seven. After retirement from the Federal Dept. of Transport, Ted returned to fiddling, and enjoyed the support of his wife Betty, who often chauffeured him to many outings. Ted has composed two tunes - "Lexie’s Tune," and "Ted’s Trip to Goshen." As our most senior fiddler we enjoyed his Cape Breton style of Scottish music. A craftsman, Ted made wall hanging clocks out of wood in the shape of violins, finished to perfection and often would donate one to a charitable cause. Ted has since passed away but his wife Betty still lives in Moncton and attends as many fiddle events as she can.
Stacey, now in her twenties, comes from Sackville, NB, and has recently graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. She is very talented musician, and like our other young people, has made us very proud of her. She has won many trophies, including Maritime, and Canadian championships for under twelve, and was a Canadian Grand Masters finalist in 2000. Now that she has graduated from Berklee, she looks forward to a number of opportunities awaiting her career.
After listening to Don Messer on the radio every day, Clayton tried to play his father's fiddle at about the age of ten years. He continued playing at occasional dances accompanied by his brother on the banjo. He enjoyed it very much as a great pastime. He called the tune he composed, "Road to Riverview", as a reminder of his many trips to practices in Riverview NB. A native of Tatamagouche, and a retired mechanic, he resided with his wife Catherine in Moncton until his death in 2006.
During the summer of 1999, and looking for a new hobby to keep himself busy, Denis decided to buy himself a fiddle. He had always been intrigued by the instument, and was greatly inspired by his grandmother Lina, (who is also a member of the group, along with his aunt Yvonne, and at one time Melanie, his cousin), who he had heard play many times since his childhood. However, little did he know that fiddle music would soon become his favorite hobby and a very important part of his life. Eventually he picked up the mandolin, the piano and the guitar, and the rest of his family also started playing a large variety of instruments. Denis puts a lot of time and effort into his music and now teaches the art of fiddling. He has learned hundreds of tunes, composed dozens, and has won several competions. He enjoys all styles of fiddle music, but his favorite player has always been Calvin Vollrath of Alberta.
Melanie was born in Dieppe, NB, in November 1990. At two, she would watch her grandmother, Lena Richard, play the fiddle, and would try to play along with her with two sticks. At four, she started lessons with Jocelyne Bourque, and learned very quickly. Four years later, at eight, she was very excited to be accepted into the Sussex Avenue Fiddler’s group, and now could play along with her grandmother, who really influences her the most. She enjoys playing, with her dad on guitar, at charity functions, and special events. Melanie has her own album out and is a very good singer. She has a talent for putting words together and can come up with a song at the drop of a hat. She likes to be thought of as a singer who plays the fiddle rather than a fiddler who sings. She has attended numerous fiddling contests, and the thing she enjoys the most about these competitions, is all the new friends she meets. She says, "I guess that’s what music is all about."
Samantha started fiddling at age four with instructor Jocelyne Bourque. Now a teenager, she has a room full of fiddling trophies. Samantha has achieved many milestones in her young career, Jr. Maritime, Provincial and Jr. Canadian Champion, 6 time Canadian Grand Masters Finalist, East Coast Music Awards nominee & entertainer with such names as Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIssac, Buddy MacMaster & Leahy. Sam’s name is associated with fiddle music throughout the Maritimes, Canada, and the US and has even has the opportunity to be an instructor at the Mark O'Connor music camps in the US. She was also selected by Mark as the first Canadian, and female recipient of the Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin(2005). She has three recordings to date, with her latest titled "Vivacious". Samantha also plays Classical Violin and has been a member of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra which she perfomed with in Italy in the summer of 2005. She lives in Riverview, NB, with her parents Joe and Beth, (both great supporters of Sam, her fiddling, and fiddling in general), and her brother Thomas, who often accompanies her on piano.
Sam is currently taking courses online towards her Masters Degree in music from the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
George comes from Hillsborough, NB, and is the son of Blair and Marian Steeves. He started fiddling under Ivan’s tutorship at a very young age, and was soon playing with the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers. Many early performances of our group featured ‘the children’, George, Stacy, and Samantha. He has a tape out called, "Chocolate River." All grown up, George is now school teacher and also teaches fiddling. During the summer you may find him as your guide at the world famous Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick, Canada.
Terri is in her late teens and has been playing the fiddle since 1995 and started classical violin a year later. She is a 3-time Canadian Fiddle Champion in the 12 & under, 2-time Maritime Open Champion, 3-time Canadian Grand Master Finalist & 2-time Provincial Open Champion. She studied classical violin under Margaret Wood and Philippe Djokic and has been the Concert Mistress of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra(member for 7 years) which she played with at Carnegie Hall in 2003 and in Parma, Italy in 2005. Terri is a faithful member of the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers and a great supporter of old time fiddling but the emphasis right now is on her classical violin and it's in this field that Terri excels. Her affection for her music is very evident in her playing. Her music is captivating! Terri is very active in her church and sings and plays there regularly. She graduated from high school in 2006, winning the Governor General Medal for highest average in her school. Terri grew up in Salisbury, NB with her mom, Betty but is now living in Vancouver as a student at the University of British Columbia where she will studies under noted Classical Violinist Jasper Wood.
