Apply
Extended Deadline :: Sun. Mar. 30 @ 11:59p PT
What to Expect
Welcome to Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp – a place where individuality and diverse musical tastes flourish through the exploration of style, rhythm, and technology. We are on the lookout for fiddlers and violinists at the intermediate to professional level, those with an open-minded approach to music and an enthusiasm for discovery. If you're ready to be both challenged and have a ton of fun, you're in the right place. Plus, with no application fee, there's no reason not to give it a shot, regardless of whether you consider yourself at the "right" level or not.
Our goal is to expose you to a wide array of creative perspectives and approaches, empowering you to develop your own unique musical voice, whether you envision yourself as a solo artist, a collaborator, or both. We hope that by the time you leave our camp, you'll view your instrument in a whole new light. Our holistic approach is intended to have a lasting impact on your ability to improve after camp wraps up.
Application & Audition
The application process will ask the following:
Your musical background, experience, and areas of interest
Links to your social media profiles and/or website
Video examples:
One video showcasing your strengths and musical personality
Two optional "wild card" videos, offering a different aspect of your musicianship
Please remember that the application information and videos serve as tools to help us ensure an even distribution of skill levels and to better tailor the camp experience. Don't fret over creating perfect auditions; we listen with kind ears and are excited to learn more about the people in our musical community.
Financial Aid / Scholarship Program
For our international campers in need of travel assistance, young families and others requiring financial aid, we may offer financial assistance through our scholarship program. We're open to considering other unique situations as well. You will be able to make these requests as part of the application. (No additional applications required.)
Join us at Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp, where your musical journey promises to be an extraordinary exploration of creativity, rhythm, and technology. We look forward to welcoming you into our vibrant community of fiddlers and violinists!
Specific Scholarships
Fiddle Family Scholarship
Are you a young violinist/fiddler with a drive to play, practice, jam, and explore? Do you dream of honing your skills with an amazing faculty venturing into new realms of rhythm, technology, and style? If your answer is YES, you sound a lot like me when I was young.
Recognizing the impact that camps and shared musical experiences with my family had on my life—loads of inspiration, tons of tunes and lifelong friends, hangs with musical idols—my parents Tom & Karen Driessen have graciously started the Fiddle Family Scholarship for one deserving young musician and their dedicated parent/guardian to embark on a unique musical journey, together.
What the Scholarship Offers:
Full tuition, accommodation, and meals for one young fiddler/violinist ($1675 value).
Full “observer/chaperone” coverage (accommodation & meals) for one parent/guardian ($625 value).
Access to world-class instructors and immersive workshops.
Opportunities to connect with fellow musicians and form lifelong friendships.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 17.
Demonstrated passion for violin/fiddle music.
Financial need will be taken into consideration.
A heartfelt commitment to learning and growing as a musician.
Availability to attend Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp on the specified dates.
How to Apply:
Begin your Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp application.
Under the “Personal” tab, in the Financial Aid/Scholarship section, select “Yes” that you would like to be considered.
In the text box that will appear, please describe your need for this scholarship and how attending camp will impact your future.
Complete the rest of the application and submit!
Deadline for Applications:
All applications must be received by midnight on Mar. 8 PST.
Bobby Hicks Memorial Scholarship
Are you a musician early in your career, working on making a living in music? Making his home only one hour away from camp for much of his later life, 5-string fiddle legend Bobby Hicks began playing before the age of 9 and made music his life-long career. Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp recognizes the challenges in earning a living in music and we are honored to offer a full tuition scholarship for one musician, early in their career, to attend camp in Bobby Hicks’ name.
Western North Carolina native Bobby Hicks (1933-2024) was a ground-breaking fiddler known for his classic work with Bill Monroe, Judy Lynn, Porter Wagoner, and Ricky Skaggs. He created his own 5-string fiddle with a drill backstage during a gig in Las Vegas and went on to popularize the instrument in bluegrass music. Respected throughout American fiddle tradition for his sweet tone, double stops, approach to vocal backup, and genre-defining fiddle breaks, Bobby has been inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Museum’s Hall of Fame, earned 10 GRAMMY awards, and celebrated over 50 years on the Grand Ole Opry.
This scholarship is made possible by fiddler and entertainment attorney Stephanie Taylor Law, PLLC. Thank you!
To learn more about Bobby Hicks, please read his bio.
What the Scholarship Offers:
Full tuition, accommocation, and food for one fiddler/violinist early in their music career ($1675 value).
Access to world-class instructors and immersive workshops.
Opportunities to connect with fellow musicians and form lifelong friendships.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35.
Currently making their career in music, whether gigging, teaching, songwriting, etc (or any combination of music income streams)
Financial need will be taken into consideration.
A heartfelt commitment to learning and growing as a musician.
Availability to attend Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp on the specified dates.
How to Apply:
To apply for the Bobby Hicks Memorial Scholarship please
Begin your Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp application.
Under the “Personal” tab, in the Financial Aid/Scholarship section, select “Yes” that you would like to be considered.
In the text box that will appear, please describe how you’re currently working to make a living through music, along with any financial need, and how attending camp will impact your future.
Complete the rest of the application!
Deadline for Applications:
All applications must be received by midnight on Mar. 8, 11:59p Pacific-time.
Lady Fiddle Posse Scholarship
The Lady Fiddle Posse is a group of fiddle and violin playing women who met and became friends at the inaugural Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp. Recognizing the power of community and support created at camp, and within their continued friendship, they have come together to pay it forward.
Two $850 scholarships are available. These scholarships are entirely funded by previous campers.
What the Scholarship Offers:
Financial assistance towards tuition ($850 value).
Access to world-class instructors and immersive workshops.
Opportunities to connect with fellow musicians and form lifelong friendships.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicant must be a woman.
Applicant can be of any age, however anyone under the age of 18 is required to have a parent/guardian attend and would need to pay the observer fee of $625.
Financial need will be taken into consideration.
A heartfelt commitment to learning and growing as a musician.
Availability to attend Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp on the specified dates.
How to Apply:
To apply for the Lady Fiddle Posse Scholarship please
Begin your Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp application.
Under the “Personal” tab, in the Financial Aid/Scholarship section, select “Yes” that you would like to be considered.
In the text box that will appear, please mention if you’d like to be considered for this scholarship, along with any financial need, and how attending camp will impact your future. *NOTE: if you are under 18, please verify that your parent/guardian is available and able to pay the observer fee, thank you.
Complete the rest of the application!
Deadline for Applications:
All applications must be received by midnight on Mar. 8, 11:59p Pacific-time.