Learn to Fiddle in
Springfield, Missouri!
Sundays @ National Avenue Christian Church:
Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Nov. 3, & Nov. 17
Drunken Fiddles
Location & Dates
Sundays
Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Nov. 3, & Nov. 17
3:30-4:00pm: Absolute Beginners & warm up for experienced players
4:00-5:00pm: Combo Class
National Avenue Christian Church
1515 S National Ave
Springfield, MO 65804
Park in the back lot and enter through the door that says "The Gallery at National Avenue."
Note the new location and time for this session!
Need to rent an instrument to get started? We recommend Wyatt Violin in KC (www.wyattviolin.com).
Just call the shop (816-252-5656) and they will get you set up! They'll ship your rental instrument right to you in Springfield.
Sign Up
Fiddle/violin, Viola, and Cello all welcome! Classes are taught by Drunken Fiddles instructor Kirsten Weiss.
Sundays
$159
Four Week Session: Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Nov. 3, & Nov. 17
3:30-4:00pm: Absolute Beginners & warm up for experienced players
4:00-5:00pm: Combo Class
at National Avenue Christian Church
Absolute Beginner Class
In this section, we will go over the very basics from the absolute beginning. We will learn technique, how to get a good sound and some tunes, of course! The class will be laid-back and fun. Experienced players are welcome to sit in for the review.
Combo Beginner Class
This class is both for absolute beginners and people who have some experience playing a string instrument. Kirsten will teach from the very beginning while using a scaffolding method of teaching to introduce fiddling techniques to both levels of students.
Meet your Instructor
Kirsten Weingartner Weiss began her music studies at the age of four and holds degrees in both violin and viola. She currently serves as the principal violist of the Springfield Symphony and recently retired from the concertmaster position of the Missouri Philharmonic after nearly 15 years and is an avid chamber musician.
In the past, she has performed as a member of the Illinois, Peoria, Cedar Rapids and Omaha Symphonies, as well as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and she spent 10 years as violist and violin soloist with the Lawrence Welk Show. Recently she served as a substitute violinist on the national tour of Hamilton in both Springfield and Minneapolis.
Besides her performing, Kirsten has a private studio of approximately 30 young violin and viola students and was the recipient of the 2023 Missouri String Teachers Association Artist Teacher Award. Kirsten and her husband Dan are the proud parents of three sons and two cats.
"I had no musical background when I first came to Drunken Fiddles. The class is structured so that it's not overwhelming for a beginner, and learning continues to be a fun challenge for me. I love having opportunities for the class to perform in the community, and I am enjoying the journey as my playing improves!"
Katie
Fiddler
"I have grey hair. I was bored coming out of COVID. I have short, fat fingers. I had played the tuba when I was young but never touched a violin and didn’t read treble clef music. Then, I stumbled across a class online… Go for it my wife said. I’m pretty sure she wanted me out of the house. The class has become much more than a relief from boredom, it fills the empty well of my soul and reminds me how life-giving playing music is for me. Young and old - the class is famil. I am playing an instrument I never dreamed I could with a beautiful group of people that I have come to love… and my wife is happy too."
Doug
Fiddler
"There is something magical about Drunken Fiddles classes. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced player you are taught how to play tunes in different ways so that you can fit into playing with a group. The classes and the people who attend are very supportive and inclusive. A sort of no fiddler left behind. "
Carol
Fiddler
"I grew up playing violin, then took a hiatus during college and a few years after; Drunken Fiddles has been a great way to get back into playing! Classes are relaxed, but I've learned so much in the ensemble. It's really reawakened my love of music, and I look forward to class every week!"
Jean
Fiddler
"All of my life I’ve wanted to learn to play the violin but never thought I could. Drunken Fiddles has made this dream of mine a reality. The instructor makes each session fun as well as educational. Anyone who even thinks they want to learn to play would do very well to head to their nearest Drunken Fiddle group and have the time of their life."
Melissa
Fiddler
Keep In Touch
Sign up for the email list to receive information on upcoming classes! Scroll down for FAQ's.
FAQ
Drunken Fiddles Online School
This course is divided into TWO tracks. When you sign up, you will have access to both levels.- Absolute Beginners--For people who have NEVER played the fiddle before (We start from the absolute beginning and it is assumed you know nothing about playing the violin or fiddle.
- Intermediate -- This is for people who know their way around their instrument. Pick your favorite genre (Celtic? Romany? Old Time?...) and find a tune you love. Print out the sheet music with fingerings and watch your in depth lesson video. Then, practice with the instructors at a slowed down pace until you work up to the performance level video. If you want more, there is an option for LIVE instruction several times a month!
no contract, cancel anytime
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Latest Press
Drunken Fiddles in the News!
Order Laurel's Sheet Music
Celebrate the winter season with these concert-ready arrangements influenced by a variety of folk traditions such as Celtic, old-time, bluegrass and Scandinavian fiddle. This collection of time-honored and original melodies is written with a modern string crossover twist to keep both the listener and performer engaged. All tunes are arranged by the Wires String Duo, including their original piece “Campbell Street”. The audio is a stereo recording of each of the arrangement
The Wires Duo
The Wires are a modern exploration in string sound. Created in Kansas City, Missouri, Laurel Morgan Parks, violin, and Sascha Groschang, cello, have been composing dynamic and cinematic music as best friends since 2009. Their music is inspired by imagery found in the natural world, folk styles and modern string techniques. Following their debut album in 2012, their 2nd album “Wilder” (May 2019) is an imagined journey that includes depths of the oceanic world, the vast expanse of Celtic hills, the coldness of frozen tundra and a discovery of the cosmos. Their holiday album, “Winter” (December 2020) encompasses a cinematic, yet an intimate timbre, with the classic sounds of the season. “Winter,” their collection of holiday favorites arranged by The Wires along with their original piece, ‘Campbell Street,’ is published by Mel Bay Publications. The Wires are also the hosts and curators of “Sound Currents” on 91.9 Classical KC – a weekly radio program that explores and discovers a broad range of new music. Their online school, “Fiddle Life,” (www.fiddlelife.com), teaches adults traditional styles at beginner and intermediate levels. The duo performs at festivals, concert halls, and music venues in the Midwest and beyond.
Featured on KCUR 89.3
Making music should be fun. But when adults squeak through their first violin lessons, they may not get the compassion a child might receive. Enter Drunken Fiddles.
Ireland Retreat, Booking Now!
Join musician Laurel Morgan Parks and the Drunken Fiddlers for an experience of a lifetime!