Credentials

Formal Musical Education

2007-present Private lessons in violin, fiddle, voice, and piano with the following instructors:

• Dan Boner (voice: 2022 fall semester)

• Hunter Berry (fiddle: 2022 fall semester)

• Jason Leek (voice: 2022 spring semester)

• Brittany Haas (fiddle: 2022 spring semester)

• Kristin Harris (violin/fiddle: 2014-present)

• Julia Long (violin: 2014-17)

• Star Bancroft (piano: 2014-2018)

• Anna Kirby (piano: 2011-14)

• Kristin Patterson (piano: 2009-11)

• Tammy Webster (piano: 2008-09)

• Courtney Jackson (violin: 2007-14)

2022- Enrolled as a Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots music studies student at East Tennessee State University.

2009-21 South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestras with Conductors Neil Casey, Andrew Preston, and Nicole Neely

2007-08 Suzuki Strings community program group instructions with Drs. Samara Humbert-Hughes, Rebecca Hunter, and

2014-18 and Constance Gee

Other Related Instruction

2019 Carolina Summer Music Conservatory at the University of South Carolina School of Music with instructors Neil Casey, Ari Streisfeld,

and William Terwilliger in Columbia, South Carolina

2018 & 2019 Swannanoa Gathering Fiddle Week at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina

2014-15, 2018 Suzuki Festival master classes with Betsy Fee in Columbia, South Carolina

2015 Small group old-time fiddling workshop with Bruce Molsky in Batesburg, South Carolina

2014 Small group old-time fiddling workshop with Alan Jabbour in Charleston, South Carolina

2012-13 South Carolina String Teachers’ Association’s violin and viola workshops in Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina

Memberships in Organizations

2015-present South Carolina Bluegrass and Traditional Music Association Member

2020-21 National Honor Society Member

2015-18 Connections Academy Visual and Performing Arts Talent Network

2016-18 National Junior Honor Society Member

Solo, Groups, and Other Performances

2018-present Substitute or special guest fiddler with Randy Lucas Trio, Blue Iguana, Flatland Express, Pinehill Ramblers, and Pickin’ Pearls bluegrass groups

2013-present Member of the Thomas Family Bluegrass Band and piano trio with brothers David and Jameson with performances at the following venues:

• Bill’s Music Shop and Pickin’ Parlor’s stage show in West Columbia, South Carolina

• “Carols Along the Riverwalk” at the Cayce Riverwalk Park in Cayce, South Carolina

• Congaree Bluegrass Festival in Cayce, South Carolina

• Haynes Auditorium in Leesville, South Carolina

• Lone Star Barbecue Restaurant and Mercantile in Santee, South Carolina

• Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter Christmas Open House and Volunteers Banquet in Lexington, South Carolina

• Old Time Fiddler’s Convention in Union Grove, North Carolina

• Shindig on the Green in Asheville, South Carolina

• South Carolina State Fair in Columbia, South Carolina

• Various retirement centers, hospitals, schools, church-sponsored events, graduation ceremonies, birthday parties, music festivals, wedding receptions, etc., throughout the Southeast

• William’s Center Group Home in Cayce, South Carolina

• The Wind 90.7 FM Broadcasting Station in Cynthiana, Kentucky

2021 Member of the BJUGrass University band during fall semester

2014-21 Performer with Suzuki-sponsored private and group recitals and other performances at the following venues:

• • • • • • • Edventure Children’s Museum, Green Street Methodist Church, Irmo’s Okra Strut, Prisma Health Richland Hospital Children’s Hospital, Richland and Lexington County Libraries, Soda City Market, and University of South Carolina’s School of Music Recital Hall and W. W. Hootie Johnson Performance Hall in the Darla Moore School of Business in the greater Columbia area, South Carolina

            • Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina

2009-21 Member of the South Carolina Philharmonic Junior, Repertory, and Youth Orchestras at the Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia, South Carolina

2017-2020 Member of Palmetto Blue Bluegrass Band with notable performances at the following venues:

• Colleton Center (opening for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder) in Walterboro, South Carolina

• Sumter Opera House (opening for Del McCoury Band) in Sumter South Carolina

• Darlington Music Hall, hosted by Southeastern Bluegrass Association of South Carolina

• South Carolina State Museum Fall Festival in Columbia, South Carolina

• Haynes Auditorium in Leesville, South Carolina

• Jammin' in January at the Old Springfield High School, Springfield, South Carolina

2019-2020 Second chair violin in les Flat Out Strangers Gypsy Swing Jazz Band in Columbia, SC

2019 Participant in Palmetto Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Suzanna Pavlovsky, in Columbia, SC

2015-19 Participant with the South Carolina Bluegrass and Traditional Music Association at the South Carolina State Museum Carolina Makers Evening Music Program

in Columbia, South Carolina

2015 Special guest at the FOLKFabulous Festival interview with fiddler Ashley Carder at the University of South Carolina McKissick Museum’s in Columbia,

South Carolina

2022 Played at the Down Home during ETSU takeover week.

Johnson City, TN

2022 Performed at the Boones Creek Opry

Johnson City, TN

Work and Volunteer Experience

2013-present Performs as a bluegrass band member and as a street busker

2017-2020 Assists in selling violins, violas, and other musical supplies for Van’s Violins Company

2014-19 Volunteers at the Cayce-West Columbia Library

2015-19 Assists with service activities, fundraisers, and junior camp with non-profit groups

2015-18 Teaches violin lessons to beginner students

Awards, Competitions, and Other Recognitions

2022 Received seventh place in adult bluegrass fiddle at Old Fiddler's Convention in Galax Virginia.

2022 Received second place in adult bluegrass fiddle and fifth place in old-time fiddle at the Ashe Country Fiddlers Convention in Jefferson, NC.

2021 Received third place in the fiddle and band competitions (with Big Okra) at Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention

2021 Received fourth place in the bluegrass band competition (with Appalachian Mainline) at the Mt. Airy Fiddlers’ Convention in Mt. Airy, North Carolina

2017-21 Achieved high school A/B Honor Roll

2019-20 Received the English Subject Award at Gray Collegiate Academy

2020 Participated in Gray Collegiate Academy’s Miss War Eagle Pageant

2020 Received third place in the old-time fiddling adult division of the South Carolina State Fiddling Championship in Pickens, South Carolina

2019, 2017 Received first place in the old-time fiddling youth division of the South Carolina State Fiddling Championship in Pickens, South Carolina

2019 Received first place in the adult hot-licks fiddling category of the South Carolina State Fiddling Championship in Pickens, South Carolina

2019 Received third place in the adult wild cat open category (twin fiddling with Kristen Harris) at the South Carolina State Fiddling Championship in Pickens,

South Carolina

2019 Received third place in the adult old time string band division (playing with Appalachian Thunder) at the South Carolina State Fiddling Championship in

Pickens, South Carolina

2019 Received the Swannanoa Gathering Youth Scholarship to attend a week of fiddling instruction at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina

2019 Received a scholarship to attend the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Business Week at the University of South Carolina Honors College in

Columbia, South Carolina

2019 Placed first in the old-time fiddling and second in folk singing in the youth division of the Mt. Airy Fiddlers' Convention in Mt. Airy, North Carolina

2019 Placed first in fiddling in both adult and youth divisions at the Elliott County Fiddlers' Convention in Sandy Hook, Kentucky

2018-19 Received the Music Subject Award at Gray Collegiate Academy

2018-19 Selected to participate in a showcase quartet that represents the South Carolina Youth Philharmonic Orchestra in community events (e.g., Leeza’s Care

Connection volunteer reception) and prior to South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra performances

2018 Featured in the September edition of Columbia Metropolitan Magazine’s article: “Not Your Grandfather’s Bluegrass”

2018 Published biography and photograph in an elementary-level McGraw-Hill Music Studio education and appreciation program curriculum for her contributions

to South Carolina traditional music

2018 Featured on South Carolina Focus, a South Carolina Public radio segment developed by Tut Underwood

2018 Received second place (with Kristen Harris) in the twin fiddling competition at the Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention in Lenoir, North Carolina

2018 Placed third in the old-time fiddling youth division in the 83rd Annual Old Fiddlers' Convention in Galax, Virginia

2017 Placed in first violin section of South Carolina All-state Orchestra

2016 Received a scholarship award from the South Carolina Bluegrass and Traditional Music Association

2014-2016 Placed in first violin section of South Carolina Midlands Region Orchestra

2014 Received second place in the old-time fiddling youth division of the Old Time Fiddler’s Convention in Union Grove, North Carolina

2008 Ranked “superior” in the South Carolina Music Educators Association’s Solo and Ensemble Festival