SANDPOINT — After just a few lessons, Washington Elementary students had the chance to perform on the fiddle.  

Fiddle Camp took place during the last two weeks of May, providing the opportunity for students to learn about an instrument, gain new skills, and showcase those skills to others. 

Kelly Thibodeaux, a musician in Oregon with over 40 years of experience, is originally from Baton Rouge, La. He is the lead performer in his band, Etouffee, which “combines red hot fiddle, shufflin' rhythm and blues, and kickin' Southern rock to create an exciting new sound known as Swamp Rock,” his website said. He also travels to different schools to teach the workshop. He 

“All students K-6 learn the basics of playing the fiddle, and in just three rehearsals they perform a ‘Swamp Rock’ fiddle story, which includes sounds representing frogs, crickets, alligators, mosquitos, and other swamp creatures,” Sigi Ribeiro, music specialist at Washington Elementary, said. 

The lessons are for all school ages and fiddles are provided by the instructor. The goal of the course is to provide students the experience needed to play a solo three-chord fiddle tune with guitar accompaniment in a minimum of four 45-minute lessons with the fourth lesson serving as a performance. 

The program also includes a Louisiana mystique arts integration component. Historical and cultural perspectives on the instrument are shared with students and integrated into performances. 

During the classes, Thibodeaux presents the violin as a folk instrument, stressing accessibility over perfection.

“My entire approach is based on the innate sense of rhythm we are born with.” Thibodeaux said on his website. “It is a natural part of our physiology. By utilizing this understanding, I am able to achieve amazing results in a very short period of time.”

At the end of each group performance, individual students performed for families.  

    Kelly Thibodeaux, a musician in Oregon with over 40 years of experience, is pictured in the background teaching students to play using rhythm.
  

    A Washington Elementary student takes part in Fiddle Camp.