Islands of Inspiration
Scottish Fiddle Workshops & Online Celtic Jam Circle — Austin, TX
The Idea: Islands of Inspiration
🎻 Connecting our Islands of Inspiration — between in‑person fiddle workshops
Islands of Inspiration are immersive, in‑person Scottish fiddle workshops — moments where players gather, reconnect with the tradition, and experience what’s possible when learning by ear in community.
Between these islands, we stay connected through a shared musical journey — an online Celtic Jam Circle designed to keep tunes alive, deepen listening skills, and maintain momentum until the next gathering.
Upcoming Austin Scottish Fiddle Workshops
We are preparing a new series of Play By Ear Scottish Fiddle Workshops in Austin. These workshops are open to youth and adult players who want to:
Learn Scottish and Celtic tunes by ear
Develop rhythm, phrasing, and musical confidence
Play together in a relaxed, supportive environment
Reconnect with the joy of shared music‑making
The first in person Play By Ear Scottish Fiddle Immersion workshop is on
Sunday, March 29th
from 1.30pm to 4.30
at Blackerby Violin Shop, 1111 Anderson Avenue, TX.
Click on the link to find out more and sign up for the workshop
Link: http://celticfiddleguru.com/scottish-fiddle-workshop-austin-tx
The Bridge Between Workshops: Online Jam Circle
The Online Celtic Jam Circle runs between in‑person workshops and acts as the connective thread of the community.
2 × 90‑minute live online sessions per month
Small, consistent groups (10–15 players)
Repertoire revisited slowly and musically
Emphasis on listening, flow, and shared groove
Designed to support both youth and adult learners
Tuition & Teaching Model
The Online Celtic Jam Circle is led by Colin MacLeod, with a guest tutor joining each month to offer a fresh musical perspective and deepen the learning experience.
This rotating guest approach reflects the living Celtic tradition — learning the same tunes through different stylistic lenses, bowing ideas, rhythms, and regional influences.
Monthly Tuition
$175 per student, per month
2 × 90-minute live online group sessions (3 hours total)
Lead tutor: Colin MacLeod
Guest tutor featured each month
Small groups: 10–15 players
Learn-by-ear Scottish & Celtic repertoire
Strong emphasis on listening, groove, and musical flow
Community continuity between in-person workshops
Who This Is For
- Youth players looking to grow confidence and musical independence
- Adult learners returning to fiddle or learning by ear for the first time
- Players who value community as much as technique
- Anyone who wants continuity between in‑person workshops