Fiddle lessons in Portland, OR and online.

Ready to be a better fiddler?

Whether you’re brand new to fiddling or want to improve upon years of playing experience, I’m here to help you achieve your musical goals.

Sound better, grow your repertoire, and improvise like a pro with in-person fiddle lessons in Portland, OR, or live online fiddle lessons. No matter your age or skill level, I’ll give you the tools you need to level up your fiddling.

Fiddle lessons are a great tool if you…

  • are a self-taught fiddler and want more specialized guidance

  • want to learn fiddle for the first time

  • want more accountability than you can find in self-guided online fiddle programs

  • already play fiddle and want to improve your repertoire, jamming skills, music theory knowledge, technique, bowing, or other specific skills

Hello there!

I’m Celeste, a national fiddle champion and instructor with 10+ years of experience teaching all ages and levels. Click here to learn more about me and my teaching style!

What students say:

  • "Celeste has a gift of honing in on exactly what I need, conveying these insights in a way that makes sense, and ultimately bringing out the best in me. I end up sounding better right then and there."

    Lisa P.

  • "Celeste has been instrumental in reminding me what I love about playing the fiddle and helping cultivate my continued love for the genre and instrument."

    Amaya B.

  • "It has been so fun and rewarding to work with Celeste. She is fun, supportive, and truly committed to teaching me how to play the fiddle! Best music teacher I have ever had."

    Matthew S.

  • "I highly recommend Celeste for anyone who wishes to improve their fiddling skills at whatever their level. She’s super fun, exceptionally attentive, as well as an extremely motivating instructor."

    Bev F.

  • "Celeste is always able to hear and see the areas in a song that need basics reinforced for me, and explains technique in a way that I totally understand. She is so calm and kind! I feel that my learning curve has accelerated with Celeste's help."

    Sharon W.

  • "Celeste is THE best teacher I’ve ever had for anything. She’s very calm, and lessons are relaxed, fun, productive and never boring. Her method is exceptionally effective, without stress or frustration. I HIGHLY recommend her for both people who have played music and those with absolutely no musical experience."

    Melissa M.

  • "Celeste has been teaching my son since he was 6 years old. He's now almost 16 and still excited to work with her every week. She's taught him how to be a well-rounded, independent learner and constantly develops his creativity. Celeste is kind, very patient, and knowledgeable with a lifetime of experience in fiddle music."

    Rachel Q.

  • "My son has studied with Celeste for many years and she is absolutely amazing! He has learned some amazing tunes from her that he has used for live performances with a band. She can bring a fiddle player to the next level. Highly recommend her!"

    Mora C.

Live fiddle lessons for adult learners

Starting in your twenties or later? Great! Whether you’re twenty or ninety (or anywhere in between), you can learn to fiddle and have a great time doing it.

I specialize in teaching adults who learn fiddle later in life or who return to the instrument after a break. Whatever your learning style and pace, I tailor each lesson to you and offer lots of support along your fiddle journey. Fiddle lessons are available in person in Portland, OR and online anywhere in the world.

I provide custom guitar tracks, a custom course of study to suit your level; encouraging, no-pressure performance opportunities; student community events, and gentle technique guidance at every lesson so that you can build good habits from the start.

Live fiddle lessons for kids

From the time I first started playing fiddle as a kid, it brought me community, creativity, deep learning, and so much personal growth. Now I delight in teaching fiddle to kids and helping young students discover those same benefits for themselves. Fiddle lessons for kids are available in person in Portland, OR and online anywhere in the world.

Fiddle lessons can be a great fit for your child if they…

  • play violin at school and want to add a fun, more individualized musical outlet

  • want to learn an instrument for the first time

  • already play fiddle and want to improve their playing level and musical understanding

  • love listening to fiddle music, Bluegrass, folk music, or other traditional styles

  • are often an independent, self-motivated learner

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I teach many fiddling styles, including Texas-style, Bluegrass, Western swing, swing-era jazz, and more.

  • I teach fiddle to learners ages 4 and up.

  • I teach all levels from brand-new beginners to experienced, advanced players.

  • When you’re enrolled in fiddle lessons with me, you get so much more than just our weekly meeting. As part of lessons, you’ll also receive:

    • custom guitar tracks

    • instructional videos

    • chord charts

    • sheet music when needed

    • listening reference tracks

    • encouraging, no-pressure performance opportunities

    • lesson notes

    • supplementary printable resources

  • I teach by ear, the way fiddle tunes have been passed down for hundreds of years. In lessons, I emphasize good technique, rhythmic groove, stylistic authenticity, and the most important thing: fun!

    By learning sequential fiddle tunes, each of my students builds skills that allow for jamming, performing, improvising, competing, and ensemble playing. Community is an essential piece of fiddling culture.