🎻 Celtic Fiddle for Families
A UMFS Post-Adoption Family Bonding Experience
When families first emigrated from Scotland and Ireland to the USA, many brought a fiddle with them.
It became a lifeline—offering joy, connection, and cultural memory.
Through shared tunes and dancing, families built bonds and passed their traditions down through generations.
Today, we’re creating that same opportunity with the UMFS Family Fiddle Subscription Program—a way for families involved in post-adoption services to learn, grow, and connect through music.
🌟 How It All Started
During a conversation with Kate Ockerman of United Methodist Family Services (Richmond, VA), the idea emerged: what if families could build resilience and emotional connection by learning Celtic fiddle together?
Colin MacLeod brings over 40 years of Celtic fiddle experience, teaching children and adults in Australia, Scotland, and the USA.
Inspired by his own musical memories learning from his father, Colin now shares that legacy with other families through this ear-based, flexible program.
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
"the learning takes a quantum leap"
"Colin is a wonderful tutor who has a unique style which carries his pupils with him...
His lessons and sessions are great fun and resound with laughter whilst the learning takes a quantum leap.."
- Claire Hurst, UK
💚 Why Families Love It
🎻 Family bonding through a shared musical journey
⏰ Flexible learning—fits beautifully into busy routines
👶 No prior musical experience needed—start together!
🧠 Develops listening skills, patience, and creative expression
🧬 Strengthens brain development through music
🌐 Connect with other UMFS families
📦 Subscription Options
| Plan | What's Included | Ideal For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Monthly Subscription (Billed Monthly) |
✅ Absolute Beginners Course ✅ Beginners Course 🎧 Ear-based video lessons 🧩 Tune breakdowns and slow play 👨👩👧 Learn together—no prior skills required |
Families new to fiddle Short-term or trial users Exploring music together |
$99/month |
|
6-Month Subscription (Best Value) |
✅ All Courses: • Absolute Beginners • Beginners • Intermediate • Advanced 🎼 Practice loops 🎥 Play-along videos 🪗 Tune swaps & community access |
Families ready for full learning access Multi-level learners Enrichment for long-term homeschool planning |
$1347/6 months |
🔐 All subscriptions include full family access under one login. No per-child charges!
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
"like a rainbow on a persistently rainy day"
"Colin's music and Celtic Fiddle Course are like a rainbow on a persistently rainy day!"
- Meg Pilkington, Australia
🎥 Try a Sneak Peek
| Course Level | Preview | What You'll Learn |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute Beginners | Preview |
🎶 How to hold the fiddle 🔁 Learn your first melody by ear 🌱 Designed for all ages |
| Beginners | Preview |
🎻 Expand your tune repertoire 🎧 Strengthen ear-training skills 🎵 Simple rhythms & bowing techniques |
| Intermediate | Preview |
🎼 Explore ornamentation and bowing finesse 🎶 Learn faster melodies 🎥 Develop confidence for solo & group playing |
| Advanced |
🎵 Master traditional dance sets 🪗 Improvise & interpret tunes with your own style 🌍 Prepare for tune swaps and community ceilidhs |
✨ Bonus Features
📥 Printable practice sheets & tune notes
🧭 Progress-friendly layout for ease of use
📺 Access on desktop, tablet, or mobile
💬 Email support from Colin and his team
🌍 Tune-swapping with other families
🕺 Optional family ceilidh & homeschool jam events
🧩 Fun quizzes and games to reinforce learning
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
"I had so much fun - can't wait to do it again!"
"Colin not only taught several pieces of music to a group of fiddle players of a wide range of ages and abilities, but had the audience smiling and
singing as well.
Even the most musically shy of us were playing and moving around the stage to the rhythm of the music.
Colin's love for Celtic music is contagious! Thank you Colin.
I had so much fun - can't wait to do it again!."
- Sarah O'Brien USA
📌 Ready to Start?
Choose your subscription below and let the musical adventure begin!
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
"... my violin is talking more eloquently and passionately than before"
"Colin had promised to surpass each of our expectations.
He delivered on that for me and my violin is talking more eloquently and passionately than before."
- Richard Gray , Australia
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
"Colin's workshop was so enjoyable"
"Colin's workshop was so enjoyable.
He really connected all the fiddlers together as well as the audience.
He encouraged us all to bring life to the music with our whole bodies, pushed us to move out of our comfort zone, and taught us to move with the music.
His manner of teaching took into account all levels of fiddlers so that everyone could participate, learn, and enjoy.."
- Joanna Johnson, USA