TEACHING · CEILIDHS · LONDON FIDDLE SCHOOL
About Jenny Newman
“Jenny Newman has been described as an ‘inspired, uncluttered player whose depth and maturity of style is remarkable’. “Her fiddle playing is a joy to listen to - totally uncluttered and honest.’
Although her passion lies in the Donegal fiddle tradition Jenny’s interests and musical influences are many and varied. As well as writing and touring with Theatre Company Indefinite Articles for many years , most recently at Belfast Queens festival, Jenny has played with numerous ceilidh bands, currently 3Sticks, Folk Camps Party Band, SEAGLASS and Prog Rock Band Solstice. Jenny's ability as a teacher is renowned, and is borne out by the numerous fiddle players of all standards and ages who have benefited from her enthusiasm and love of the instrument.
“Jenny Newman has been described as an ‘inspired, uncluttered player whose depth and maturity of style is remarkable’. “Her fiddle playing is a joy to listen to - totally uncluttered and honest.’
Although her passion lies in the Donegal fiddle tradition Jenny’s interests and musical influences are many and varied.
As well as writing and touring with Theatre Company Indefinite Articles for many years , most recently at Belfast Queens Festival, Jenny has played with numerous ceilidh bands, currently 3Sticks, Folk Camps Party Band, SEAGLASS and Prog Rock Band Solstice. Jenny has toured extensively in Canada and Europe performing and leading workshops at major festivals including Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival, Cambridge Rock Festival, Chippenham Folk Festival, Sidmouth Folk Week, Towersey and Shrewsbury to name a few.
Jenny's ability as a teacher is renowned, and is borne out by the numerous fiddle players of all standards and ages who have benefited from her enthusiasm and love of the instrument.
More about Jenny
I was to was lucky to be born into a musical family - music was central to my childhood and although I spent happy times at Folk Camps and festivals I choose the route of a formal classical education and spent a short time freelancing as a viola player. It wasn’t until hearing a recording of Tommy Peoples that I truly realised where I truly wanted to go with my music. It was around this time that I discovered Pete Cooper and his wonderful teaching. His analytical and practical approach made me realise just how crucial it is to really listen and immerse yourself in the style of music you want to play - it really isn’t just about the notes!
Pete was my springboard and I will be eternally grateful to him. I went on to spend a huge amount of time in Donegal where I was lucky enough to learn and play with the likes of Con Cassidy, James Byrne, Siobhan Peoples, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, and Maurice Bradley to name just a few. Over the years my tastes have broadened and I would describe myself as a ‘magpie fiddler’. I play and teach music from a range of traditions - European, Scottish and French Canadian American, gleaning gems from whoever I find them and hoping to be as true to their origins as I can.
My first professional engagement as a fiddle tutor was at Pete’s Fiddles At Barton Pines residential course in Devon in 1999. Since then I have been performimg and teaching at festivals throughout Britain, Europe and Canada. Twenty-six years later I am thrilled to be taking on the job of running the London Fiddle School.
Along side all this I am musical director of The Big Fiddle Band - a multi ability student group (inspired by seeing Shetlands Young Tradition in Winnipeg many years ago). The BFB has a wide range of ages and abilities ( at one point we were able to say our ages ranged from 8 to 80!!) We meet monthly to play and perform great tunes with simple but musically satisfying parts and careful arrangements. Over the years we have performed at festivals and fundraising events helping to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.
See them in action below
Teaching
Group lessons are tremendously rewarding, great fun and are a brilliant way of meeting new people. In addition, where needed, individual one-to-one lessons can be invaluable.
Ceilidhs & Bands
3Sticks, Folk Camps Party Band, and the newly formed SEAGLASS are Jenny’s very successful and critically acclaimed Ceilidh Bands. Jenny has also been playing with Prog Rock Band Solstice for over 20 years - definitely not a ceilidh band but it still gets people dancing!
London Fiddle School
Founded in 2001 by Pete Cooper, Jenny is the new director and tutor of the London Fiddle School. Find out about and book regular courses in Cecil Sharp House London, in Towcester and via Zoom