Clare is a fully qualified teacher (Bachelor of Education), with experience teaching individually and in classroom and group settings. Clare has been playing viola & fiddle for over 50 years; she started on classical viola and piano, and now plays Old Time fiddle and clawhammer banjo.
Growing up in a family of professional musicians, Clare has played since childhood, with classical training on the viola beyond Grade 8. She was musical scholar at Upper School, has performed from her early years, and has played in various orchestras and ensembles - including Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra.
However, since coming across Old Time (Appalachian) folk music in the early 2000s, Clare has concentrated solely on folk fiddle from the Old Time tradition. She has attended workshops with renowned UK and US fiddlers such as Gabrielle McCrae, Jock Tyldesley, Rachel Eddy, John Showman, Joseph Decosimo and Mitch Depew. Over the years her fiddle playing has changed, with a large repertoire of tunes learnt by ear, and the addition of complex bowing patterns, cross tunings and subtle rhythmic patterns which add danceability to her fiddle playing.
Clare is a well-known player at UK Old Time sessions and festivals. She helps organise the Cornwall Old Time Camp, and co-leads a regular Old Time session at the Yew Tree Inn, Peterstow, Ross-on-Wye. You can follow Clare on Instagram @oldtimefiddlerclare
Through teaching, Clare hopes to pass on her passion for the fiddle, and introduce more people to the joy that comes from playing folk fiddle, whether playing at home, or as part of a friendly, welcoming community.