Friday April 25, 2025
Fiddlers Frolics Junior Fiddle and Guitar Workshop
Live Oak Fiddle Camp and the Texas State Fiddle Championship Fiddlers Frolics are collaborating to offer a unique experience for junior fiddlers (18 and under) and guitarists of all ages at the beautiful TR Ranch. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from Masters of Texas-Style Fiddle Music with a full-day workshop for beginner, intermediate and advanced fiddle and guitar instruction. The workshop will be followed by a BBQ and jam session.
The fiddle classes will be divided into three levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced and conducted simultaneously. The guitar class will be open to guitarists of all ages who have previous experience playing rhythm guitar.
We encourage workshop attendees to attend and/or compete in the Texas State Fiddle Championship Fiddlers Frolics Contest April 26 & 27, 2025.
Schedule for Friday, April 25
9 a.m. Arrival
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Class
11 a.m. – noon Class
Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch (participants bring a sack lunch; beverages provided)
1:30 – 3 p.m. Class
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Finale (for all participants)
6 p.m. BBQ Dinner and Jam to follow
Instructors
Wes Westmoreland
Fiddle
Wes is a highly accomplished fiddler with deep musical roots in Texas. He started learning the fiddle at age nine under the tutelage of his grandfather, H.D. Westmoreland Sr., a notable fiddler himself. Wes grew up immersed in the music of Texas fiddle legends like Benny Thomasson and Major Franklin, which greatly influenced his playing style. Throughout his career, Wes has earned numerous prestigious titles, including four-time World Champion Fiddler and eleven-time Texas State Champion. He has also placed in the top ranks at the National Fiddle Championship in Weiser, Idaho. His career highlights include performing with Mel Tillis and the Statesiders for a decade, where he toured the U.S., playing notable venues like the Grand Ole Opry. In addition to his business career, Wes remains deeply involved in the fiddling community as a teacher, contest judge, and mentor.
Luke Price
Fiddle
Luke is an accomplished fiddler and multi-instrumentalist known for his deep roots in American fiddling and swing traditions. He grew up in Boise, Idaho, and started competing in fiddle contests at the young age of 7. At age 12, he won the Junior-Junior National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest, and later at 17, he took home the Junior division title. Luke has since amassed numerous awards, including five National Grand Champion titles (2014, 2015, 2017, 2022, and 2023) Luke is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where he earned a degree in Professional Music. He is currently based in Portland, Oregon, where he performs and records with his band “Love, DEAN,” alongside his wife Rachel. Beyond his performance career, Luke is also a dedicated educator, teaching at Lewis & Clark and giving private lessons covering a wide range of genres, including jazz, and pop, blending traditional fiddling with modern influences.
Matthew Hartz
Fiddle, Guitar
Matthew is a celebrated fiddler, multi-instrumentalist, and music educator based in Boise, Idaho. He has won numerous prestigious titles in the fiddling world, including being a three-time Grand Masters Fiddle Champion in Nashville, a two-time Grand National Fiddle Champion in Weiser, Idaho, and a World Fiddle Champion in Crockett, Texas. Starting on banjo and guitar at just three years old, Matthew began classical violin lessons at eight. He quickly transitioned to folk music and mastered Texas-style fiddling under the influence of legends like Major Franklin and Bob Wills. By age 19, he had won most of the major fiddling titles. Besides his accolades, Hartz is known for his deep groove and rhythmic versatility across genres. His career highlights include producing the soundtrack for the award-winning PBS documentary Idaho Rhapsody and performing on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry. Hartz now performs with various bands, teaches workshops nationwide, and hosts a podcast focused on his musical influences.
JayDean Ludiker
Fiddle
JayDean is a prominent fourth-generation fiddler with a lifelong dedication to old-time fiddling. Starting at the age of 10, she quickly grew into a formidable talent, winning the National Junior Fiddle Championship at age 17 and the National Ladies Championship shortly after. Her passion for music led her to a successful career as both a teacher and performer. Through her company, Ludiker Music, JayDean teaches old-time fiddling to students across the country, both in person and online. She has guided numerous students to success in state and national championships and helped many launches professional careers. Additionally, she judges fiddle contests, organizes children’s performing groups, and instructs at various fiddle camps nationwide.
Registration
Tuition is $100 per student. Please submit registration form before payment. Thank you!