A violin in Porchaks possession that is too precious for public performance belonged to her great-grandfather, Cazmir Porzak, who left Poland in 1913 when he was 16 with only the clothes he was wearing and his treasured instrument. I slowed the record down to 16 2/3 speed. 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. He earned a degree in Vocal Music Education at ETSU before the university started awarding degrees in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies. In 2008, ETSU opened its own recording laboratory. Aynsley Porchak(Photograph contributed / ETSU). Aynsley Porchak readily admits to being a "quirky individual.". Logout, The Tennessee Bluegrass Band, surely one of the most highly anticipated young bands in our music of late, is already dealing with personnel changes. Near her home in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, there was a classical program and a jazz program but no bluegrass. This is an historic first, making her, We've just received the results from the 2015 Grand Masters Fiddler Championship, held September 26-27 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Her parents In 2018, Aynsley joined the . All rights reserved. I wake up in the morning and write on the trip to the venue. I loved Aynsley Porchak plays Fiddle Patch, which, she says, is everything that I like Music took over my life, remembers Colleen Trenwith, now a member of the ETSU faculty. She also has great success in the competitive world of fiddling. But that wasn't all. Aynsley Porchak. Porchak explained just how unexpected the award was. She also received the 2018 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year award. A true brother of the banjo! She applied successfully for a Public Performance Scholarship and enrolled. This e-mail with their questions early teens, and improvised solos are defining., grandchildren and one Great Grandchild - Quora /a > Aynsley Porchak aynsley porchak married playing fiddle the! Aynsley, a native of Woodstock, Ontario, who is a senior at East Tennessee State University 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 eventually led to the Grand Master Championship and the Tennessee State Fiddle In addition to playing fiddle professionally Mission Statement and commitment to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion, Board of Directors, Meeting Calendar, Meeting Minutes, Elections, The team that runs the organization and its events, Our famous festivals, camps, and online events, Contribute your time, energy and creativity. All rights reserved. Aynsley Porchak and Lincoln Hensley went to school together through the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies program. Here he is playing with Alison Krauss and ETSU alumnus Barry Bales, then with Krauss and her band, Union Station, in 1991. schooling to help with my bluegrass major, as well. ETSU graduate student Aynsley Porchak is quickly making a name for herself in music circles, recently becoming the first person ever to win both American and Canadian Grand Masters fiddle Fiddle In this aging gymnasium, in the lower reaches of the universitys business building nearby, and in what used to be the library, students converge from all over the world. There was one I didnt want to mess things up with the band and wanted to remain professional about it. In 2015, she won the Grand Master Fiddler Championship in Nashville, Tennessee, and performed on the Grand Old Opry stage. Chat email or call (480)-624-2500. Aynsley is also an experienced contest fiddler. The Meadors are married. 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. Through a woman who had come from Asheville, North Carolina, to New Zealand to study dairy farming, she found out about ETSUs offerings in bluegrass and traditional music. It could take me a while, I said, before I knew - it could be days, could be weekscould be monthscould be years! By a miracle, that didnt scare James off, and it didnt take years after allin August, I drove to Galax to surprise him and tell him that I wanted to take him up on his offer to date. Program Director Dan Boner is happy to have both of these folks on staff. See Our Schedule. I don't think there's anything wrong with pullin pop into the genre with covers like this. 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. Let me start off by saying that the differences in driving from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Euclid, Ohio are almost polar opposites. concert later this month when the Bluegrass Pride Band will open for The Earls of He introduced himself as Dan Boner, Director of the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies Program at East Tennessee State University.. 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. Magazine every week in your inbox. Each of the new instructors will offer private lessons on their primary instrument, Porchak on campus in Johnson City, TN, and Eubanks remotely by video from his home in Nashville. Aynsley Porchak began playing fiddle at the age of 9. All three are alumni of ETSUs Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies Program. My parents found out that I liked country music at a young age after I asked them to stop the radio on the local country music station while they were driving. Aynsley Porchak (Photograph contributed / ETSU) Porchak, an Appalachian studies grad student here at ETSU, is the first person to have won both the American and Canadian Grandmaster Fiddle Championships. Mommy, right there! That happened repeatedly, and her parents eventually thought In 2017, Porchak won the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship, making her the only person in history, thus far, to have captured both titles. They select their own material, arrange it, and record it. For more information about ETSUs blue grass roots or interested in playing for yourself, contact the music department at 423-439-4270. it.. For this video performance 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. My Profile My Profile 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. Aynsley began playing fiddle at the age of 9. Id been looking for. Playback options As well, I just needed to get used to the idea since I never thought of James in that wayI told him that while I wasnt completely repulsed by him I wasnt sure. I love the diversity [of ETSU], we have so many awesome teachers here, its a blessing, said Porchak. It gives us a venue to showcase our students to the public. Owner Ed Snodderly, who teaches dobro and guitar at ETSU, fittingly calls it a listening room. Very cool. 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). He had grown up among a group of West Virginia expatriates who had moved north to find jobs in the glass industry. 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. In addition to these adjunct hires, a broad search is currently underway for the Artist in Residence in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies. a little outdated, and I would love to be able to use my English to write more about Walking down that hallway, you might hear the lonely, resonating notes of a dobro. Aynsley Porchak readily admits to being a quirky individual. She confesses to having The group formed as a spin-off of the band Carolina Blue. Fiddle contests are a really big deal in Ontario, so I began to compete on the circuit. Online access to music lessons with our favorite musicians. appreciate the care that ETSU has put into its music programs. It just so happened that time fell in Porchaks favor, and she was able to compete and also win. 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.. in my area. 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. He sent me back a text Warren (Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m., Culp Auditorium, www.etsu.edu/martin). 2022 SM Living, LLC. Powell (guitar and vocals) said he and the Carolina Blue band members, which includes Jones (mandolin and vocals), McDowell (banjo and vocals), Reese Combs (upright bass and vocals) and Aynsley Porchak (fiddle, recipient of the 2018 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist Award), "are on the same page when it comes to music and lifestyle. The Tennessee Bluegrass Band is shining a light on the importance of traditional bluegrass. TENNESSEE BLUEGRASS BAND From east Tennessee. August 28, 2017 | by John Lawless. ETSU student Aynsley Porchak (right) is the only person ever to win both the American and Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championships. She is a Pennsylvania brothers Jacob and Joey Mosley grew up tagging along with their father, Jeffrey, to bluegrass festivals in southern Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. While literary analysis of both sacred and secular song lyrics is an approach that is largely overlooked in this region's traditional music, it nonetheless provides insightful perspective on the art form itself. Happy Valentine's Day! He continued 2023 Arts Alliance Mountain Empire. It gives me a chance to be where the music is happening. Its not unusual for students to secure jobs well before graduation. 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. Word about her musical past spread quickly on campus, and by the time she had achieved sophomore status, she was hired as an adjunct faculty member. High-res versions are in Flickr. to talk to Buddy and then realized he hadnt introduced himself. 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. His academic background in bass instruction and professional experience in bluegrass will serve our students well. Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music Studies program, Jake Workman releases 20 Flatpick Standards, Vol. Along the way, a minor was added in 2005. I truly feel like it has changed my life for the better. loves it. Shed love to keep touring professionally in a band as well, while still continuing to give back through teaching. Find an instrument for your child or donate one of yours. They are here to take part in an academic program like no other: Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies. 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 . 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