Van Kaynor - BIO

Van was classically trained from childhood, yet maintains his interest in fiddle music, performing his own compositions as well as music styles from around the world, including Swedish, Romanian, Klezmer, Irish, English, Scottish and French Canadian. Growing up in a family of musicians, he loved playing at fiddle contests with his dad on piano, and later with his family band: The Fourgone Conclusions, at contra dances. He has melded his love of classical music into his own creative adaptations for Contra and English dance, and has played for dance camps and festivals from Alaska to Nova Scotia. He plays and records with The Moving Violations, where many of his compositions can be heard, and has played in several other bands including Big Bandemonium and Wild Asparagus. He appeared on Prairie Home Companion with the band Spaelimenninir. Van has a playful, yet organized teaching style and enjoys the challenges of teaching students of all levels and ages, 5 and up. He has been teaching violin/fiddle lessons since the early 1980s, and later, his classical and fiddle interests resonated with Suzuki teacher training. He has taught with his own modified Suzuki method since his training began in 1992. Since Covid, Van has also led large fiddle workshops, as well as private lessons over Zoom.

I believe all students with an interest in learning can find joy in playing an instrument

My Approach to Teaching

My Approach to Teaching: I try to meet my students where they are, build on their strengths and suggest achievable small steps toward more difficult goals. I appreciate the thoughtful progression of skill development in the Suzuki Repertoire, yet often have alternative melodies in my back pocket.