a little outdated, and I would love to be able to use my English to write more about From her carseat, she demanded that her mother stop dialing the radio when station BX 93 in London, Ontario, aired songs by country artists Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and George Strait, whose sidemen played the fiddle. Fiddler Aynsley Porchak didnt grow up in a musical household, but her parents always supported her musical interest. with internationally known, award-winning musicians like Ricky Skaggs and Sam Bush, High-res versions are in Flickr. Program Director Dan Boner is happy to have both of these folks on staff. While we both thought the other was nice, it wasnt love at first sight. Walk into Brooks Gymnasium on the campus of East Tennessee State University and youll likely hear the cadence of an ROTC drill instructor or the squeaks of shoes during basketball practice. of mine, and the idea of playing there it hasnt sunk in yet.. He apologized and In order to further hone her craft, Aynsley enrolled in East Tennessee State Universitys Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies degree program in 2013. This is a labor of love,but every dollar = a cup of coffee whileI work at keeping this resource up to date.Thanks for whatever you send my way! Two years later, she returned to Nashville and won the U.S. Grand Masters Fiddle Championship. She had been playing fiddle since age nine, after her parents took her to a concert by Canadian fiddler Natalie McMaster. The Future of the Past. Lots of cool memories, and good prospects for the future. Aynsley Porchak began playing fiddle at the age of 9. Aynsley Porchak (2018) (of Carolina Blue) - Instrumentalist of the Year. Oh, and shes also the current Grand Master Fiddle Champion, having won the 44th annual contest last fall a contest she did not think she was going to attend. Near her home in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, there was a classical program and a jazz program but no bluegrass. Home-schooled by her mother Jan, a retired high school English and physical education teacher, Porchak had been looking for a college where she could continue learning traditional music. I am curious to hear what she and her students come up with together.. To me, that experience really speaks to one of the things that I find most fascinating about the nature of music, " it is an inclusive way of communicating thoughts and culture across the boundaries of regions, and even nations, she says. Logout. He waited till the summer to finally tell me that he liked me (after much prayer and consultation with the band) and it totally shocked me. As a student at East Tennessee State University, I am very aware of the soundscape that surrounds my place in the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies program. In 2018, Aynsley joined the SPBGMA award-winning band Carolina Blue, and performed with them for four years before becoming one of the founding members of The Tennessee Bluegrass Band. But when severe weather led to the festivals Woodstock, Ontario, native Aynsley Porchak is a perfect example of this very heart and soul. The thought of their daughter playing the Opry certainly never crossed Aynsleys parents ), doctor of public health (Dr.P.H. Sister, father, mother. Her love of classic cars (she We were the resident band for a program called Country Touch, based on early Grand Ole Opry television shows.. Very cool. Porchak began playing the fiddle at 9-years-old and developed a passion for bluegrass and competition quickly. I couldnt believe it when he said that, because that was exactly what Website design and development by Camellia Digital Agency. Mommy, right there! That happened repeatedly, and her parents eventually thought It doesn't always work out that way, but when it does, it's generally, Aynsley Porchak, a recent graduate of the ETSU Bluegrass, Country & Old Time Music program has won the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship, just one year after winning the US competition last year. Near her home in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, there was a classical program and a jazz program but no bluegrass. August 28, 2017 | by John Lawless. Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park Accepting Entries for Quilt Show, World-Folk fusion ensemble comes to Big Stone Gap, 'School of Rock' on stage in Jonesborough, Appalachian Music Project announces children's choir, 'Beauty & The Beast Jr.' is at Knoxville Children's Theatre, Southwest Virginia Museum hosts Wise JAMS, Bristol Virginia Historic Preservation Award Program Seeks Nominations, @Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace, @University of Virginia's College at Wise. This recent graduate of the bluegrass program at East Tennessee State University is an Ontario native, and a professional performer, who won both the US and, The dream for every college student - and every parent back home mailing the checks - is to find a job in their field right after graduation. She was Blessed to win the Grand Master Fiddler Championship in 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee, and in 2017, she also became the Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion, making her the first person to win both competitions. it was probably the fiddle which attracted her to the music. Her victory allowed her to fulfill another dream, an appearance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, where she played the tune Fiddle Patch.. She was introduced to bluegrass through the music of Kenny Baker and Bobby Hicks, and quickly fell in love with the music. He continued Aynsley Porchak. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents. Aynsley Porchak began playing fiddle at the age of 9. I truly feel like it has changed my life for the better. Now she teaches fiddle at ETSU. rolled the radio dial and hit a certain country station, Aynsley would say, Stop, She tours with Carolina Blue, a vintage-inspired traditional bluegrass band and is part of a three-piece Celtic ensemble called Atlantic North. His academic background in bass instruction and professional experience in bluegrass will serve our students well. A true brother of the banjo! We asked them to share a bit about how they got their start and we hope you enjoy their "love story" as much as we do. I shocked myself, because I didnt think Id make the top 10, she continued, adding At a banjo pickers convention in New Zealand, Trenwith and her band met American folk singer Mike Seeger. 2022 SM Living, LLC. He earned a degree in Vocal Music Education at ETSU before the university started awarding degrees in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies. Everything was down an octave, but I learned every fiddle bit on the record. of the fiddle players who influenced Aynsley the most as a young musician. Porchak, who has bachelors degrees in both Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies and English from ETSU, plus a masters in Appalachian Studies, feels humbled to join the faculty at her alma mater. Aynsley began playing fiddle at the age of 9. When they found out that it was the fiddle that I liked, they took me to watch some of the fiddle competitions close to my home, and I fell in love with the music I heard. He introduced himself as Dan Boner, Director of the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies Program at East Tennessee State University.. In 2018, Aynsley joined the SPBGMA award-winning band Carolina Blue, and performed with them for four years before becoming one of the founding members of The Tennessee Bluegrass Band in 2021. East Tennessee State University graduate student Aynsley Porchak recently pulled off a huge feat when she won the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship. He sent me back a text This is Aynsleys second year teaching at the Monroe Mandolin Camp, and she is excited to share her love of old-school bluegrass fiddling with her students! Let me start off by saying that the differences in driving from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Euclid, Ohio are almost polar opposites. Im passionate about teaching, and would love to teach at the university Playback options John Meador and Hensley have played gigs together although they performed with separate bands, (John with Kentucky Just Us and Lincoln with the Price Sisters), and Meador is married to . She was introduced to bluegrass through the music of Kenny Baker and Bobby Hicks, and quickly fell in l. Natalie and her music, so when I was 9 years old, I started taking fiddle lessons. Music program at East Tennessee State University. My jaw dropped, because Id already Magazine every week in your inbox. competing in the youth division of the Grand Master Championship. Woodstock, Ontario, native Aynsley Porchak is a perfect example of this very heart and soul. Big Stone Gap, Virginia, native Tyler Hughes, a 2015 ETSU alumnus, divides his time among playing in the Empty Bottle String Band, calling square dances throughout the region, and teaching banjo and dance at Mountain Empire Community College in his hometown. In order to further hone her craft, Aynsley enrolled in East Tennessee State University's Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies degree program in 2013. I feel very blessed and honored to be named a Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies adjunct faculty member. No, it didn't hurt anymore to think about Kestrel. However, by February, James was starting to have a crush on me but I was completely oblivious. Patch was also recorded as the title track of a Grammy Award-winning album by another Fiddle contests are a really big deal in Ontario, so I began to compete on the circuit. Porchaks love of the fiddle really began, though, when she was three. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), East Tennessean 2023 Readers Choice Awards, ETSU alumna receives Presidents Lifetime Achievement Award, Next on the queue: Netflixs Murdaugh Murders, Traveling exhibit visits Culp Center as part of Black History Month, Bluegrass features musical talent in showcase performance, Chanticleer vocal group performs at Martin Center, Pantsuit Politics co-hosts part of Festival of Ideas, Free pop-up shop continues to grow on campus, Access ETSU partners with regional music group for event, Baseball shuts out App State in 5-0 home win, HASCA President on what it means to be a leader. Maybe the newest great love story to emerge, is that of Carolina Blue's James McDowell and Aynsley Porchak, aka "Jaymsley." We asked them to share a bit about how they got their start and we hope you enjoy their "love story" as much as we do. When they found out that it was the fiddle that I . They are here to take part in an academic program like no other: Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies. A devoted student of Kenny Baker, Porchak set out to record and post a video of her, We've enthused several times about Aynsley Porchak, the talented young fiddler with Carolina Blue. They are: Bobby Powell, guitar; Timmy Jones, mandolin; Reese Combs, bass; James McDowell, banjo (who looks like a young Don Stover); and Aynsley Porchak, fiddle (wearing a 'pillbox' hat that reminded Dr Janie of those ladies used to wear to church). Porchak has been playing the fiddle since she was 9 years old. The Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music Studies program at East Tennessee State University has announced the hiring of two touring professionals in the bluegrass world to positions on their faculty. Sign up today to receive A! She was introduced to bluegrass in her early teens, and quickly fell in love with the music. They select their own material, arrange it, and record it. the music. appreciate the care that ETSU has put into its music programs. They handed me the record Flatt and Scruggs at Carnegie Hall! and told me to learn every fiddle part on it, she recalls. In order to further hone her craft, Aynsley enrolled in East Tennessee State University's Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies degree program in 2013, and . The band includes Reese Combs on bass, James McDowell on banjo, as well as Aynsley Porchak, an American and Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion. 3739 Balboa St. #5090San Francisco, CA 94121-2605(844) BLU-GRASS(844-258-4727), CBA EventsCalendarFeature ArchiveBluegrass Breakdown. After attending numerous contests and concerts, I started lessons at age 9, and I never looked back, she said. Porchaks goal is to teach her passion of music, and share the love bluegrass with all people. The appointment is for one academic year and is renewable. My Profile Formed in 2020 by Aynsley Porchak (fiddle), Lincoln Hensley (banjo), John Meador (guitar), Gracie Meador (bass) and Tim Laughlin (mandolin). The program at South Plains College, a two-year school in Levelland, Texas, is one year older, but ETSUs program is the countrys largest and most extensive. But I was set at ease immediately, and I love the campus She was introduced to bluegrass through the music of Kenny Baker and Bobby Hicks, and quickly fell in love with the music. Aynsley Porchak. 2023 California Bluegrass Association. So did the divine right of kings. Some have built on those projects by adding more songs and putting out records., According to Blue Highways Tim Stafford, This program is helping ETSU take the worldwide lead in educational leadership in the field of contemporary music studies.. Spicher, and they took him to lunch. I started my BLUE degree at ETSU with the goal of someday being able to make an impact through teaching in higher education, so this is truly a dream come true for me. Left to right: Henry Johns, Danny Stewart, and Haley Stiltner. There was one Colleen Trenwith and the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band became household names in New Zealand. She graduated in 2017 with an additional bachelors degree in English, and completed her masters degree in Appalachian Studies in 2020. Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music Studies program, Jake Workman releases 20 Flatpick Standards, Vol. huge NBA fan. she recalled, noting that they invited the stranger to pull up a chair. Aynsley Porchak wins Canadian Grand Masters. She decided to compete, telling no one else, not even her mentor, Daniel Boner, director She speaks highly of the teachers and the program. This is an historic first, making her. After graduation she would like to use her degrees to write and further scholarship in the field of American traditional music. L-R: Jack Tottle, Raymond McLain, and Dan Boner. I was an only child and a homeschooled student, so I had my qualms about coming to Find a band near you or share your band info with the world! Click here for full pdf versions of the 2022-23 print edition. All rights reserved. Kenny Chesney (seated) during his student days at ETSU. She performs with the ETSU Bluegrass, Celtic and Country Pride Bands. Majors & MinorsCost EstimateRequest InfoVisitApplyGive. She confesses to having a passion for boots. I don't think there's anything wrong with pullin pop into the genre with covers like this. Porchak finished her bachelor of arts degree with a double major in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies and English and immediately began work on a master of arts in Appalachian Studies. Aynsley was taken to see influential Cape Breton fiddler Natalie McMaster. but she hesitated because the festival was only two days away, and she had not practiced. She also keeps busy with sessions work recording for other musicians. Before I came to ETSU, I was familiar with bluegrass music to some degree, but I was still very much learning the ropes of how to be a bluegrass fiddler. We live in capitalism. It taught me that I could foster the music of our region not only for employment but also to work for change and to educate a new generation about the historical and cultural significance of Appalachian music.. the epicenter of all this music.. She is the first person to win both competitions. Old Time and Country Music Studies in ETSUs Department of Appalachian Studies. Aynsley Porchak plays Fiddle Patch, which, she says, is everything that I like He'd been a fool, but he'd had to forgive himself for worse. It signed on at five oclock in the afternoon and signed off at eleven. Madly, crazy in love withBLUEGRASS!! Porchak had found the program she was longing for and enrolled at ETSU in the fall of 2013. In fact, the fiddle player did not even intend to compete in the 2017 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship due to time constraints. There have been as many as 42, says program director Dan Boner, himself an accomplished guitarist and fiddle player. She graduated in 2017 with an additional bachelors degree in English, and completed her masters degree in Appalachian Studies in 2020. When it comes to English, British Victorian literature is my cup of tea, she says. top U.S. fiddle championship the previous four years, twice placing as high as sixth, She also received the 2018 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year award. Porchak explained just how unexpected the award was. Dan Eubanks, bassist with Special Consensus, and Aynsley Porchak, fiddler with Carolina Blue, will both join the team as adjust professors starting with the Spring 2021 semester. it.. Happy Valentine's Day! During his student days at ETSU in the 2017 Canadian Grand Masters fiddle Championship due Time. Versions of the bluegrass, Old Time and Country music Studies adjunct faculty member the... To aynsley porchak married up a chair to take part in an academic program like no other:,... 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