"One of the brightest young fiddlers around today."
— Brian O’Donovan, Host of WGBH radio’s “A Celtic Sojourn”

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News & Updates

Mari appointed the new Music Director for the Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance

August 13, 2022


Mari has been appointed Music Director for the new Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance! This is a huge honor for Mari, who previously taught three summers at the camp, and considers it one of the most special places in the music world.

After a three year hiatus due to Covid, the Acadia Trad Festival has reformed and will be BACK June 2023 in Bar Harbor, Maine! The camp will be under the direction of a new artistic team that includes Festival Director April Verch, Dance Director Kieran Jordan, and Music Director Mari. In the days and months ahead, they will be rolling out a world-class faculty lineup that celebrates the music and dance of Acadian, Cape Breton, Irish, Quebecois, Scottish and other traditions - all in one exhilarating, reimagined week of classes, workshops and concerts.

About her new position as Music Director, Mari says: "I have always felt the Acadia Trad School to be a beautiful and especially unique haven for making music, and I am thrilled to be part of this outstanding new artistic team! This place speaks to my soul, with the powerful camaraderie present amongst students and faculty as we immerse in the traditional music we dearly love. The shared passion and joy of music-making that permeate our time together always recreate for me my very best early experiences as a young fiddler. To be able to carry on this tradition and vision now as a direcor is a dream come true, and the greatest honor for me. I'm already counting down the months until we're all together again next summer!"

Be sure to save the dates for next summer's camp (June 26 - July 2, 2023) and visit the new Festival website - www.AcadiaTradFestival.org - to sign up for their email list and stay tuned for the updates! We can't wait to see you next summer!

Mari wins the fiddle Grand Prize at the North American Scottish Performing Arts Classic

May 1, 2022


Mari is incredibly honored to receive the Dan R. MacDonald Grand Prize for Senior Fiddle at the North American Scottish Performing Arts Classic! This was a wonderfully joyful event, celebrating the best of Scottish music in fiddle, harp, and pipes, and brought together top performers from all over the world.

For the finals of the competition, Mari and the other fiddlers each performed a full recital of traditional Scottish music, including a set showcasing the tunes of celebrated Cape Breton composer and fiddler Dan R. MacDonald, as well as a set of their own original tunes, written especially for this event. The result was a beautiful collage of music from across the full spectrum of Scottish-style fiddling. For an additional layer of excitement, the event was attended by the Lord and Lady MacDonald, chief of Clan Donald, who traveled all the way from Scotland to watch the musical festivities! In addition to the Grand Prize, Mari also received special prizes for the best original composition and the best arrangement of a Dan R. MacDonald tune. You can watch a live video of Mari's prize-winning performance here.

Many thanks to the Robert Burns Society of Charleston and the Clan Donald Lands Trust, who sponsored and hosted the competition!

Mari named an Official Showcase Artist at Folk Alliance International

January 2, 2022


Mari and her trio have been selected for a coveted Official Showcase at the 2022 Folk Alliance International conference. They will be performing at the conference in Kansas City this February, so if you know any bookers attending the conference, definitely send them our way!


UPDATE: Due to the rise of the Omicron variant, Folk Alliance has chosen to postpone their conference. The new dates are May 18-21, 2022, and Mari will still be there with her trio!








Returning to LIVE SHOWS this summer, starting June 3rd at Cambridge's Starlight Square

May 20, 2021


Mari is thrilled to be returning to live performance this summer, and her first show back will be in her hometown of Cambridge MA on Thursday June 3rd, 7pm, at Starlight Square! Starlight Square is an incredible outdoor venue built in responses to the pandemic, and the show will support the New England Musicians Relief Fund, a new non-profit that provides grants to musicians who have lost work due to the pandemic. Mari will perform an evening of high-energy improvised music from around the globe with her duo partner, 3-time world champion accordion player Cory Pesaturo, and the pair can't wait to entertain and delight you with their musical mischief!

This outdoor concert is FREE to attend -- for safety reasons, capacity is limited, so reserve your seats now! The show will also be live streamed via the Starlight Square website for anyone who can't attend in person. Can't wait to see you there!

"UNSCRIPTED" named one of the Top 10 Albums of 2020 by "Gord's Gold" of the Folk Music Notebook!

December 31, 2020


If anyone knows folk music inside and out, it's Gordon Nash, host of the Folk Music Notebook's show "Gord's Gold". Being on his Top 10 list is a big honor for "UNSCRIPTED", Mari's collaborative CD with 3-time world champion accordion player Cory Pesaturo! Other honorees on the list include the likes of Miss Tess and Sarah Jarosz -- amazing company to be in! Mari says, "Cory and I put so much of ourselves into making this album, and I'm really happy that the final product is bringing joy to folks who listen!"

If you haven't heard it yet, "UNSCRIPTED" celebrates spontaneity, improvisation, and reveling in the unexpected. It's a broad musical journey that features rhythmic jazz tunes, blazing klezmer horas, passionate tangos, playful American rags, driving Celtic reels, and more -- all packed with the virtuosity, mischief, and joy that is emblematic of Mari and Cory's artistic collaboration. Critic Alex Monaghan of Folkworld.eu International calls "UNSCRIPTED" "a sweet symphony indeed! This is a towering performance across a broad swathe of rootsy music, some very traditional, some totally contemporary, all star quality." Click Here to order your CD now!

Fall Online Seminars Announced -- Come Fiddle with Mari via Zoom!

August 20, 2020

Even though live music is still paused for the time being, Mari is excited to offer a batch of her 4-week Online Fiddle Seminars, by popular demand! Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings via Zoom, and include topics on bowing ("Bow Like A Pro, Levels I & II"), learning by ear ("Catch What You Hear"), and a brand new series of style-specific workshops called "Dial In The Style", which will explore Cape Breton fiddling (September), klezmer (October), and New England-style contra dance music (November)!

All Seminars include weekly classes via Zoom Video, recordings of the classes and tunes to practice with later, and the opportunity for participants to submit weekly videos directly to Mari for some person (and private!) feedback. Detailed class descriptions and registration can be found on the Workshops page of this site. Click now to join in on the fun and explore some new fiddling skills!



See Mari (and many others!) at a special online Mothers' Day music extravaganza

May 2, 2020

Mari is thrilled to be a part of a special collaborative online concert featuring 45 of the world's finest acoustic musicians to celebrate Mothers Day! Presented by Tune Supply, an awesome organization dedicated to keeping music as live as possible in these crazy times, this concert will be essentially a mini-festival of song and dance, streamed right to your home.

Music starts at 6:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 10th. For more info and to find the live stream link, check out the Tune Supply concert page: https://tune.supply/concerts. Hope to "see" you there!



NEW CD RELEASED -- "Unscripted" is here!

February 15, 2020


It's finally here! After much anticipation, Mari's new CD "UNSCRIPTED" is released TODAY and ready to find it's way into your hands! The new album is a collaboration with 3-time world accordion champion Cory Pesaturo, and it celebrates spontaneity, improvisation, and reveling in the unexpected. You'll hear a musical roller-coaster of rhythmic jazz tunes, blazing klezmer horas, passionate tangos, playful American rags, driving Celtic reels, and more! Reviewing the CD for folkworld.eu, music critic Alex Monaghan says: "A sweet symphony indeed! 'UNSCRIPTED' is a towering performance across a broad swathe of rootsy music, some very traditional, some totally contemporary, all star quality."

You can order your copy right now by clicking over to the Albums page of this site, and digital copies are available on Apple Music, Amazon, etc. ...or best of all, you can come get a signed copy from Mari and Cory in person at one of their upcoming CD release celebration shows!

CD RELEASE SHOWS:

2/15 @ 8:00 p.m. -- The Blackstone River Theater in Cumberland RI ...sorry, this one's ALREADY SOLD OUT
2/19 @ 8:00 p.m. -- Club Passim in Cambridge MA
2/22 @ 8:00 p.m. -- The Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck NJ
3/1 @ 3:00 p.m. -- The Dance Hall Kittery in Kittery ME

Hope to see you there!

NEW CD RELEASE this February!

January 23, 2020


Mari is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated release of her brand new album, "Unscripted" -- a duo collaboration with 3-time World Champion accordion player Cory Pesaturo! Drawing on their fiery personalities and instrumental virtuosity, the pair embark on a playful exploration of their favorite musical styles that celebrate spontaneity, improvisation, and reveling in the unexpected. The dynamic new album features rhythmic jazz tunes, blazing klezmer horas, passionate tangos, playful American rags, driving Celtic reels, and more!

"Unscripted" will be released in February, and you can get it online (CD Baby, Amazon, iTunes, etc) or LIVE at one of the duo's CD release shows. They'll even sign a special hard copy for you if you come see them in person...one of the few times you'll be able to get signatures from both Mari and Cory in the same evening!

CD RELEASE SHOWS:

2/15 @ 8:00 p.m. -- The Blackstone River Theater in Cumberland RI
2/19 @ 8:00 p.m. -- Club Passim in Cambridge MA
2/22 @ 8:00 p.m. -- The Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck NJ
3/1 @ 3:00 p.m. -- The Dance Hall Kittery in Kittery ME

(Note: We hear that several of these shows are already getting close to sold out! If you'd like to join us, we highly recommend making your reservations now. Just click on the links above to get tickets!)

Special Online Fiddle Seminar with Mari to start the New Year

January 2, 2020


Happy New Year, everyone! To help you start off the new decade with some fresh fiddle skills, Mari will be offering a special 4-week online fiddle seminar called "Bow Like A Pro: Exploring, Demystifying, and Mastering Fiddle Bowing" -- a topic offered by popular demand following her last online seminar back in October. It's designed especially to help self-directed fiddlers gain understanding, comfort, and finesse in your bowing, and Mari is looking forward to sharing lots of concrete bowing strategies with you over the 4 weeks! Classes will be held online via Zoom video conferencing (super easy to use!), so you can access it from anywhere in the world. Here are the details:

"Bow Like A Pro: Exploring, Demystifying, and Mastering Fiddle Bowing"
A 4-week online fiddle seminar with Mari Black

Times: 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. EST
Dates: January 14th, 21st, 28th, & February 4th
Investment: $200 for the course — includes weekly online classes, Q&A, and the opportunity for individual video feedback from Mari
Space is limited. Contact mari@MariBlack.com to register and reserve your spot!

This seminar is all about mastering your bow — the source of your sound, your groove, and your expressive power as a fiddler! Over four weeks of class, we will dive into the fundamentals of bowing: characteristic slurring patterns in different kinds of tunes, specialty bowing such as cuts, shuffles, & barrage, and strategies for choosing bowings that both sound and feel great. Along the way, you’ll improve your sound, develop your dance feel, and find greater ease and finesse in your right hand. Each class will include time for questions, and class participants will have the opportunity to submit optional weekly “homework” videos* to Mari for personal feedback (*totally optional, for those who are comfortable and would like the extra personal attention!).

We will meet four weeks in a row, at 7pm EST on January 14th, 21st, 28th, and February 4th. Sessions will be live using Zoom video conferencing (details and access link provided when you register), but Mari will also send out recordings so that you can join the class from anywhere in the world. The seminar is geared towards fiddlers, but open to anyone on a bowed string instrument.

Topics:
Week 1: JIG bowing -- "strong" beats, "weak" beats, and the magic of swing!
Week 2: REEL bowing I — Using ease and groove to drive your fast tunes
Week 3: REEL bowing II — Specialty bowing patterns to create variety and interest in your sound
Week 4: WALTZ bowing -- Developing your signature expressive sound

FAQ’s
What if I’m late or can’t make it to the live video sessions?
Don't worry at all if you're not at your computer every minute of the live class times — Mari will be recording each class and sending it out immediately after, so anyone who is absent / late / simply wanting to rewatch can view it at any time. Ah, the wonders of the internet! :)
What is the level of the class?
For this special seminar, you don't need to worry at all about it being "too advanced" or "too beginner", because it's not a tune-learning class, per se. It's all about helping you learn how to make the most rapid progress from where you already are! We're going to focus on developing skills that you can use to improving your playing from any level. We will have players of all experience levels in the class, but everyone will working on expanding their knowledge of fiddle music!

If this sounds like a class that would be helpful for you (or for any of the other fiddlers in your life!), send an email directly to Mari at mari@MariBlack.com and reserve your spot today!

A Couple Tunes from the Road

October 30, 2019


Greetings friends! Mari and her trio are ranging all over the country this fall, including shows in Maine, New Hampshire, Texas, Rhode Island, Montana and more! They'd love to see you if they're in your neck of the woods, so definitely check out the calendar page to find out exactly where you can catch them in person. In the mean time, check out this fun TV appearance, where they got to share some tunes and stories live from the "207" NBC Studio in Portland, ME:


Special Online Fiddle Seminar with Mari this October

September 15, 2019


By popular demand, Mari will be offering a special 4-week online fiddle seminar during the month of October called "Catch What You Hear: How to Better Teach Yourself from Recordings, Videos & Youtube". Mari is really excited about getting to help you self-directed fiddlers out there get even better at being your own coach! The classes will be held via online video conferencing that's super easy to use, so you can access it from anywhere in the world. Participants will even have the chance to submit individual "homework" videos* directly to Mari for personal feedback (*not required -- it's only if you want to!). Here are the details:

“Catch What You Hear: How to Better Teach Yourself from Recordings, Videos & Youtube”
A 4-week online fiddle seminar with Mari Black

Times: 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. EST
Dates: October 8th, 15th, 22nd, & 29th
Investment: $200 for the course — includes weekly online classes, Q&A, and the opportunity for individual video feedback from Mari
Space is limited. Contact mari@MariBlack.com to register and reserve your spot!

This seminar is all about helping YOU become your own best teacher! As a self-guided fiddler, you have hundreds of recordings and videos at your disposal to learn from.…and Mari is here to help you learn how to take best advantage of these resources. Over four weeks of class, we will work on how to break down all the information contained within a video or CD performance and separate it into smaller pieces for you to work on: left-hand technique, bowings, melodic patterns, form, groove, and stylistic elements. Mari will help you learn how to hone in on each element, so that you can better copy the things that you most love about your favorite recordings and videos. As you get better at using these skills, not only can you become a better fiddler yourself, but you will also start being able to learn much faster! Each class will include time for questions, and class participants will have the opportunity to submit optional weekly “homework” videos* to Mari for personal feedback (*totally optional, for those who are comfortable and would like the extra personal attention! :)).

We will meet four weeks in a row, at 7pm EST on October 8, 15, 22, and 29. Sessions will be live via Zoom video conferencing (details and access link provided when you register), but Mari will also send out recordings so that you can join the class from anywhere in the world. The seminar is geared towards fiddlers, but open to anyone on any melody-playing instrument!

Topics:
Week 1: Capturing THE TUNE! — Form, melodic patters, and learning quickly by ear
Week 2: Bowing — Sussing out the patterns that create the essence of style
Week 3: Hearing the “little” stuff — Embellishments, left hand ornaments, and all the little details that make a tune sound great
Week 4: Putting it all together!

FAQ’s
What if I’m late or can’t make it to the live video sessions?
Don't worry at all if you're not at your computer every minute of the live class times — Mari will be recording each class and sending it out immediately so anyone who is absent / late / simply wanting to rewatch can view it at any time.  Ah, the wonders of the internet! :)
What is the level of the class?
For this special seminar, you don't need to worry at all about it being "too advanced" or "too beginner", because it's not a tune-learning class, per se.  It's all about helping you learn how to make the most rapid progress from where you already are as a self-directed fiddler!  We're going to focus on how to hear and notice the individual components of any tune, and I will be sharing the ways that I decipher tunes I hear from other artists (ie. "What kind left-hand ornament was that?  A tap or a roll?", "How did they bow that to get that sound?", "How did they create that little melodic variation?", etc).  We have players of all levels in the class, but everyone will working on expanding their knowledge of fiddle music as a whole so you can be an even better coach for yourself going forward.

If this sounds like a class that would be helpful for you (or for any of the other fiddlers in your life!), send an email directly to Mari at mari@MariBlack.com and reserve your spot today!

Summer fiddle camps on the horizon -- Come study with Mari!

May 28, 2019


Spring is in the air, and summer fiddle camps are just around the corner. Mari is thrilled to be teaching at three of her favorite camps again this summer, and would love to see YOU appear in her classes! If you're looking for a great place to immerse in fiddle music, check out:

  • June 23-28: Acadia Trad School Festival in Bar Harbor, ME
    Teaching: Scottish fiddle, "twisty tunes", comping, variation-making, and more!
    Mari says: "A truly wonderful, family-friendly camp with classes on many instruments and many styles, including percussive dance! I will be on faculty teaching Scottish fiddling, as well as performing and teaching afternoon workshops on various topics. Check out the link to read more of what's in store for this amazing week!"

  • July 14-20: The Swannanoa Gathering: Celtic Week in Asheville, NC
    Teaching: Intermediate Scottish Fiddle
    Mari says: "I'm thrilled to join a group of world-renowned faculty for a week of all things Celtic! Scottish, Irish, Cape Breton -- Fiddles, guitars, mandolins, flutes, drums, song, and dance -- all ages, all levels, and family-friendly. Not to be missed!"

  • July 28-August 4: Jink and Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling in Valle Crucis, NC
    Teaching: "Master" level Scottish fiddle, all-levels "bowing mastery"
    Mari says: "You want Scottish fiddling? THIS camp is Scottish fiddling! A week in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains where you can explore everything possible to do on a fiddle with a Scottish 'accent'. Small group classes, a fiddle orchestra, and even private lessons (the only camp I know that offers them!) -- and of course, tons of jamming!"

  • In addition to these camps, Mari will also be taking the stage with her trio at several awesome festivals and summer concert series. Check out the calendar page to see all the fun coming up. See you out there!

    Ring in the New Year with Mari, LIVE on WFMT Radio's national NYE broadcast!

    December 15, 2018


    Looking for a great soundtrack to your New Year's Eve? Tune into the national broadcast of WFMT Radio Chicago's "Midnight Special" with Rich Warren, where Mari is thrilled to be the first instrumental act ever featured on their special New Year's broadcast (yes, that's right...in the many years of this radio event, they have never had a non-singing act on the roster. Wow, what an honor!)! She'll be performing alongside three other celebrated folks artists -- Tim Grimm, Joe Jencks and SONiA -- for an evening full of diverse, joyous folk music, and you can tune in via radio or internet to celebrate with with them!

    Mon 12/31, WFMT's New Year's Eve Midnight Special in Chicago, IL
    Broadcast begins at 11:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 p.m. CST / 9:00 p.m. PST
    Click here to listen LIVE via your computer on New Year's Eve! (In-person seats at the Chicago studio are now sold out)

    Hope you can join us for this musical New Year's Eve! It will be a blast! Of course, Mari will also be starting off the New Year with a flurry of shows in the Northeast, both with her trio and with her exciting new duo project with 3-time World Accordion Champion Cory Pesaturo. Check out the calendar page to find out where to catch them in person!
    Happy (almost) New Year, everyone!

    Kicking off a Fall full of music

    September 1, 2018



    Ah -- fall has arrived! It's Mari's favorite season, and this one in particular will be chock-full of music all over the country as she and the band will visit 15 (count 'em, 15!) states before the holiday season: Tennessee, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Vermont, New Jersey, New Hampshire, California, and Rhode Island (and even visiting some of these more than once!)...are any of these YOUR home base?? Check out the tour calendar and see where you might be able to catch Mari and her trio for an evening of toe-tapping dance music! Though they wander far (and near?) from home this fall, it's seeing YOU -- our musical family -- that is the best part of touring, so come on out and join in the fun! See you out there!

    Come fiddle with Mari this summer

    June 6, 2018


    After a long (though hopefully musical!) winter, it's fiddle camp season at last! Mari is thrilled to be teaching at three of the best fiddle camps on the east coast. For those of you looking for great places to come fiddle (or pick or dance etc) this summer, here's a quick summary, including Mari's personal description of each awesome week:

  • June 24-29: Acadia Trad School Festival in Bar Harbor, ME
    Teaching: Scottish fiddle, Canadian fiddle, Twin fiddling, Comping, and more!
    Mari says: "A truly wonderful, family-friendly camp with classes on many instruments and many styles, including percussive dance! I will be on faculty teaching Scottish fiddling, as well as performing and teaching afternoon workshops on various topics. Check out the link to read more of what's in store for this amazing week!"

  • July 8-14: The Swannanoa Gathering: Celtic Week in Asheville, NC
    Teaching: Intermediate Scottish Fiddle
    Mari says: "I'm thrilled to join a group of world-renowned faculty for a week of all things Celtic! Scottish, Irish, Cape Breton -- Fiddles, guitars, mandolins, flutes, drums, song, and dance -- all ages, all levels, and family-friendly. Wow! Not to be missed!"

  • July 29-August 5: Jink and Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling in Valle Crucis, NC
    Teaching: "Master" level Scottish fiddle, Composition and variation writing
    Mari says: "You want Scottish fiddling? THIS camp is Scottish fiddling! A week in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains where you can explore everything possible to do on a fiddle with a Scottish 'accent'. Small group classes, a fiddle orchestra, and even private lessons (the only camp I know that offers them!) -- and of course, tons of jamming!"

  • Mari would love to see you at any of these camps! All three currently still have limited space available, so click on your favorite link above and reserve your space now. See you at camp!

    Mari wins top honors in the Instrumental category of the Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Competition

    January 1, 2018


    Happy New Year to you all! 2018 is already off to an exciting start -- the Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Competition just named Mari the Gold prize winner of Instrumental compositions for her tune set "The Lost Bells" (featured on her album "FLIGHT")! It's a huge honor, especially amidst so many beautiful compositions submitted by artists from all over the world, and Mari is thrilled to be a part of this joyous celebration of music and songwriting (or, as she would say, song CATCHING!). Check out the MASC website to see a complete list of winners and information about the upcoming Awards Gala, where Mari will be performing along with other top prize-winners!

    If that's not enough excitement, the 2018 tour season kicks off with visits to NJ, DC, OH, MD, TX and more! Come catch Mari and her trio for some toe-tapping dance music to keep you warm during the winter months; new shows are posted on the tour calendar page so you know where to find us. See you out there!

    Fall tour + Mari selected as a Formal Showcase Artist at the North East and Midwest Folk Alliance Conferences

    September 2, 2017


    Mari is incredibly honored to have been selected as a Formal Showcase Artist for both the North East (NERFA) and the Mid West (FARM) regional Folk Alliance International conferences! Held in Stanford CT and Iowa City IA, respectively, Mari and her trio will be performing throughout both conferences, showcasing their unique and energetic blend of dance music from around the world. If you're in those areas or attending either conference, come say hello and catch some rockin' dance tunes! Mari would love to see you there!

    Of course, in addition to the showcase appearances, Mari and the gang will have concerts all over the place, sharing their favorite dance tunes with you! Check out the Calendar to see where you can catch them this fall...and don't forget to bring your dancing shoes!

    Tune in to hear Mari LIVE on WFMT Chicago's "FolkStage!"

    April 20, 2017


    Greetings from Chicago, where Mari and her trio are looking forward to performing on WFMT Chicago's "Folkstage" this coming Saturday! It will be an especially fun show, featuring dance music from all over the world...and all of you are cordially invited tune in and join them LIVE via www.wfmt.com! That's right: the whole show will broadcast live on the radio and by internet, and it's going to be a great time! Music starts at 9:00 p.m. Eastern / 8:00 p.m. Central Time (and other time zones too, of course, via the magic of the internet). Click here for all the show info!

    After Chicago, Mari and the gang's spring adventures will continue in the Mid-Atlantic, then on to the West Coast and back to New England. To see where to catch them live, check out the Calendar page and find a show near you! You can also catch Mari at the various fiddle camps she'll be teaching at this summer, including the Jink and Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling and the Acadia Trad School. See you out there!

    Mari is an Official Showcase at Folk Alliance International

    February 3, 2017


    In just a couple weeks, Mari and her trio are headed to the Folk Alliance International conference in Kansas City, where she is honored to be featured as one of this year's Official Showcase Artists! They will be performing throughout the weekend, so if you're in Kansas City or know someone at the conference, come say hello and catch some rockin' dance tunes! See you out there!

    Happy New Year!

    January 5, 2017


    A quick hello and Happy New Year from Mari and the gang! We hope your year is starting off fresh and healthy, with lots of good music on the soundtrack! Mari is very excited about the upcoming touring season, in which she'll get to visit many of you in New England, Kansas City, North Carolina, Chicago, the West Coast, and more, starting with the season opener at the Blackstone River Theater on Saturday January 14th. You can see all the upcoming shows on the Calendar page, where we'll be adding even more 2017 dates in the coming weeks.

    And if you'd like a very special treat to watch right here, right now, check out the video of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Celebration in Scotland, an amazing once-in-a-lifetime concert where Mari performed alongside 17 other world Scottish fiddle champions! World-class fiddling all around, and a joy to watch!

    That's all for now...Looking forward to a great year of music with all of you!

    "Festival of Champions" webcast from Scotland & the upcoming "Tour de Time Zones"

    October 26, 2016


    How exciting! Mari is currently in Scotland preparing to perform in the Glenfiddich Fiddle "Festival of Champions", an incredible once-in-a-lifetime concert featuring Mari and the 19 other past World Champions of Scottish Fiddling...And we just received word that the concert will be webcast by Trad TV, which means you can tune in from anywhere in the world! The concert is this Sunday, October 30th, and will be available on TradTV.com next Sunday, November 6th. Tune in to join the fun and watch the best of the best in Scottish fiddling strut their stuff! It will be a concert to remember...

    And if you're super excited by that and want to see the live version (or at least 1/20th of it!), come find Mari in person on the remaining two legs of her fall "Tour de Time Zones" as she travels through Texas and southern California over the next three weeks! All tour stops can be found on the Calendar page, so find the show nearest you and come on out for an evening of high-energy dance music from around the world! Mari and the band can't wait to see you out there! :)

    New Website! Woo-hoo!

    August 10th, 2016


    Welcome everyone to the brand new website! Hats off to wonderful web designer Adam Agee of Creative Studio Labs, who has built such a fun and vibrant online home for Mari and all her adventures! Feel free to have a poke around and see everything she's up to, including upcoming shows, new stories from the press, pictures from recent adventures, the full compliment of "Tune of the Month" videos, videos from shows, and more! Check back often for updates -- plenty of fresh adventures and rockin' dance music to come! Enjoy!

    A World of Celtic Adventures (Literally!)

    May 6th, 2016


    It seems like this is "National Celtic Month", at least for Mari! She just returned from the Highland and Islands Music and Dance Festival in Oban, Scotland, where she was excited to be the first American fiddler ever invited to perform at the festival...and, as you can see, came home with quite a few honors! Additionally, Mari is featured as "the Fiddler" in this month's issue of Celtic Life International magazine, in a lovely piece talking about her musical heritage, performing adventures, practice philosophies, and hopes for the future of Celtic music. Check out the issue to read the whole thing for yourself!

    Coming up, Mari will be showcasing at the SouthEast Regional Folk Alliance in North Carolina, and playing at the Blackstone River Theater's Summer Solstice Fest in June, alongside their stellar lineup of Celtic stars (including the masterful John Doyle, upcoming super stars Barrule, and more!). She'll also be teaching at the Jink and Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling in July. A few spaces are still open for the camp, so be sure to register soon! See you out there....

    Spring Fiddling Ahead

    March 27th, 2016

    Spring is almost here, and with it a host of great upcoming fiddle adventures for Mari and the band! As always, details can be found on the Calendar page, but highlights include a trip to Scotland to perform at the Highland and Islands Music and Dance Festival in April, an appearance at the Blackstone River Theater Solstice Fest in June, and teaching at the Jink and Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling in July. Come join in the fun! We’ll see you out there!

    Kicking off 2016 in Style

    January 8, 2016

    After a fall full of adventures on the road, Mari and her band are excited to kick off 2016 with two action-packed tours through the Northeast, including stops in Maine (including Portland’s Acoustic Artisans, The Acadia Trad School, The Kittery Dance Hall), Massachusetts (Boston Celtic Music Festival), Connecticut (Fire in the Kitchen and The Outer Space), New York (The Upper Jay Arts Center), and Rhode Island (The Blackstone River Theater), and more! Check out the detailed tour schedule so you can find where to catch them out on the road! Mari will be teaching various workshops along the way, and is all set for shows full of new high-energy dance music. She’s looking forward to seeing you out there!

    Mari is the 2015 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion

    September 14, 2015


    Big news to starts off an exciting fall of music! Just this weekend, Mari was chosen as the 2015 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championships, making her a 2-time champion of this prestigious competition! Mari had a great time performing at the Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival, and is deeply honored by the award. Here she is pictured with the Founders Quaich, the traditional Scottish trophy, just after the results were announced.

    Mari’s very excited about her upcoming fall performances, which will take her through the Northeast (including her only home-town Boston show before 2016!), Scotland, Texas, the West Coast and more. Highlights include the Austin Celtic Festival, the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championships in Scotland, a special showcase at the NorthEast Regional Folk Alliance Conference, and return visits to favorite venues in Southern California. Check out Mari’s schedule for all the dates and details so you can come join her for some awesome dance music on the road! She’ll be looking for you out there…!

    Heading West for June + Summer Fiddle Camp

    May 20, 2015

    Happy May everyone! We had a whirlwind of awesome during our New England shows in April and May: sold out shows in Boston, Connecticut, and Maine; amazing special guests including World Accordion Champion Cory Pesaturo and innovative ‘cellist Eugene Friesen; and the unveiling of new favorite tunes and arrangements. There was much dancing in the aisles. And in the streets leaving the concerts.

    The spring adventures will now continue on the West Coast as Mari returns to California! Check out the calendar page to see where you can join us for concerts and workshops!

    And for anyone wanting to study Scottish-style fiddling with Mari, she will be on faculty at the renowned Jink and Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling, July 26-August 2. In addition to learning tunes and exploring accompanimental ideas for fiddlers, Mari will be leading a special workshop on competition-style Scottish playing with lots of chances to play for feedback, perfect stylistic interpretations, and develop performance sets. Jink registrations are still being accepted now — sign up ASAP to secure your spot!

    Dogsled Tours and Looking Ahead to Spring in New England!

    March 13, 2015


    Greetings to all our friends in music! It’s been an eventful start to 2015 — Mari and her band just returned from a snowy tour of Maine presented by Phill McIntyre of New England Celtic Arts. Despite the cold weather and snow drifts over 7 feet (wow!), folks packed in for sold-out concerts across the state, from Portland to Farmington to Ellsworth, and even as far north as Calais right on the Canadian boarder! The photo here shows the band enjoying their last night up in Calais.

    Now Mari and the gang are looking forward to spring, with shows in Boston and Connecticut coming up, including playing the season finale of the Standing Room Only concert series with special guest, World Accordion Champion Cory Pesaturo! Check out Mari’s calendar page to see where you can catch them live. If you’d like to come study some fiddle tunes with Mari, she will be teaching at the Julian Family Fiddle Camp in Julian California from April 8-12. Spots are still available. See you out there!

    Passion for Fiddling Film

    January 20, 2015

    Happy New Year, everyone! It is shaping up to be a wonderful year of music here, and 2015 kicks off with a particularly cool piece of news: Mari was just featured in filmmaker Chuck Green's "Passion in 90 Seconds" film series for Perpetual Motion Media. Check out what Mari has to say about her love of fiddling, how it shapes her life, and why music is important for her:


    If you want to see Mari’s fiddle passion in action, check out the schedule page, where new 2015 shows were just announced, and more coming soon! This spring, Mari will be touring in New England and the West Coast, giving workshops, and teaching at several fiddle camps. Stay tuned for details!

    (Ps. If you just can’t wait to see her in person, you can go learn a tune from Mari now via her “Tune of the Month” video series on Youtube!)

    Take "FLIGHT" for the Holidays

    December 5, 2014

    Want to share some joyous, energetic, dance music with your friends and family for the holidays? Mari would be honored to send you special signed copies of her new CD "Flight", complete with any custom dedications or personal messages you would like. A truly unique holiday gift! There is also limited-edition "Flight Gear" that goes with the album -- fun, bright T-shirts and awesome tote bags with the album logo (pictured below). As an extra bonus, we even have special holiday deals for larger orders:



    - “FLIGHT" CDs - $15 each. HOLIDAY SPECIAL: $12 each if ordering 10 or more CD's!
    - “FLY" T-shirts (available in small, medium, large) - $20 each. HOLIDAY SPECIAL: $16 each if ordering 3 or more shirts!
    - “FLY" Tote Bags - $20 each. HOLIDAY SPECIAL: $16 each if ordering 3 or more bags!

    Here's how to get your personalized "FLIGHT"s:

    Email Info@MariBlack.com with:
    1. Your name
    2. Your preferred email address
    3. Your order: Tell us what you want, how many (make sure you include sizes for t-shirts), and any signatures or special dedications you want on each item. Signatures/dedications are available on everything.

    We'll respond quickly to confirm your order and shipping address (or addressES, if you would like us to send items directly to your gift-receivers!). We accept checks and PayPal, and we'll get your FLIGHT GEAR right off to you! We recommend ordering before December 15th to guarantee arrival before Christmas.

    Mari Crowned the 2014 Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion of Scotland!

    October 27, 2014

    Big news from Scotland, where Mari has just been named the 2014 winner of the world-renowned Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship! To win the invitation-only competition, Mari performed a full program of tunes by revered Scottish composers to a packed hall at the famed Blair Castle. Mari is only the 4th American ever invited to compete in the history of the prestigious competition, and is honored to join the ranks of celebrated fiddlers who have held the title before her. Here she is pictured with the revered Glenfiddich quaich, moments after winning the championship. Her name will be added to the trophy, which is displayed year-round in Blair castle under the portrait of Neil Gow, the father of Scottish fiddling.


    Now Mari gets a few hours to enjoy Scotland before heading back on the road for concerts. Her next stop is the West Coast, and includes concerts, dances, and workshops in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Portland OR. Check all her exact show dates on the schedule page to find out where you can come see her in person!

    Upcoming Fall Adventures

    September 10, 2014

    What an exciting few months we have coming up! Mari is off on the first legs of her fall travels, which will take her through New England, Texas, and the West Coast, all before Thanksgiving rolls around. Events include Mari’s eclectic multistyle shows with her World Fiddle Ensemble, appearances at various Celtic festivals and Highland Games, playing for dances of various styles, fiddle workshops on a variety of topics, and even a ground-breaking interdisciplinary circus. Sound like fun? Check out the schedule page to find a show near you!

    And hey, if you can’t wait for a show near you, Mari will be playing a special web show, streamed LIVE online on Friday, September 26th, 8:00 p.m., EST! That’s right — You can join Mari and pianist Neil Pearlman LIVE from anywhere in the world via your computer. Sit in your PJs, wear your bunny slippers, lounge on the couch, eat ice cream, and pet your dog all while watching Mari and Neil perform some brand new duo material! To join the fun, simply click the link below:

    https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/8813-mari-black-and-neil-pearlman-special-playtime-duo-s

    Stay tuned for more updates as the adventures unfold! Until then…happy fiddling’!

    Championship News from Canada

    July 5, 2014

    The summer is off to a wonderful and adventurous start, and Mari sends greetings from the Maritime Fiddle Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she just became the 2014 Maritime Fiddle Champion — which also makes her the first U.S. fiddler to successfully defend the title. The fun-filled weekend also included Mari’s clean sweep of the “best of” tune prizes, and a first place finish in the Group Fiddle class with wonderful Canadian fiddler Rosanna Burrill. A glimpse of their spirited duo fiddle antics can be seen here:



    Now Mari is off to the West Coast for her summer California tour! If you’re in Southern California, check out her San Diego and L.A. shows with her World Fiddle Ensemble! They’ll be watching for you out there, so be sure to come say hello and share a few tunes!

    Here’s Your Chance…Learn Tunes from Mari!

    June 2, 2014

    Hello everyone! Mari is very excited to announce a new project: a “Tune of the Month” video series, in which she will pick, perform, and teach some of her favorite tunes just for you! The videos will start with a fun, candid performance of the tune, then Mari will break the tune down, teaching it slowly and explaining all the techniques, stylistic idioms, and ornaments you need to be able to play it yourself. The idea is that whenever you cross paths with Mari out on the road, you will have some fun, unusual tunes to play together. You can also enjoy them with your own musical friends at home, teach them to your students, watch them with your friends, etc. However you most like to share the joy of music!

    Videos will be posted on Mari’s Youtube Channel (which you can SUBSCRIBE to!) every month. As an added bonus, fully-marked sheet music with all bowings and ornaments will be sent out in her monthly email newsletter, so if you’re interested in getting that, be sure to Subscribe to the Newsletter! Sound fun? Check out the first installment here:



    Happy jamming!

    "FLIGHT" IS HERE!

    April 29, 2014


    It's finally here! Mari's brand new CD, "FLIGHT," is released TODAY! Get your copy now on CD Baby, where you can also preview tracks, read about the album, write reviews and more: www.cdbaby.com/cd/mariblack

    Tickets for tonight's release show Club Passim are SOLD OUT, but thanks to some pretty spiffy technology, you can still join Mari and her band from anywhere in the world on a live webcast via Concert Window! Just click that link and you can watch the entire show on your computer, in your living room (in your PJs?) or wherever you happen to be! The party starts at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Don't miss it!

    As if that's not enough excitement for one day, be sure to check out Mari's spring show schedule, which includes more CD celebrations, a tour to Brazil, and a very special show with phenomenal Irish fiddler Liz Carroll in Boston, all coming up in the next few weeks! It's going to be a great season, so be sure to go find Mari out there on the road and say hi. She'll be looking for you!

    Time to Take Flight…Literally!

    March 19, 2014

    After an incredibly successful Indiegogo campaign (114% funded - wow!), Mari has just put the very last finishing touches on her new solo album, "Flight"! Huge thanks to everyone who contributed, shared, and generally helped in the campaign -- it wouldn't have worked without you guys! Now comes the best news of all: the album is done, and the CD RELEASE PARTY will be on Tuesday, April 29th, 8:00 p.m. at Club Passim in Cambridge! Featuring the core gang from the CD, this will be a truly awesome show as Mari and her favorite musician friends officially unveil "Flight" to the world. This is a show not to be missed!

    Tickets for the show are already starting to sell out, so reserve yours soon, especially if you want to make sure you get a good table seat. More information and tickets are available here:

    http://www.passim.org/club/mari-black-cd-release

    In other news, Mari just returned from an awesome West Coast tour with her World Fiddle Ensemble, and is ready to head into an exciting spring and summer of performances. New tour dates are being announced, so be sure to keep an eye on the schedule page to see when Mari and her band will be in your area! You can also "Like" Mari on Facebook for show announcements, pictures, road stories, and all sorts of other candid updates. See you out there!

    Help Mari Finish "FLIGHT"!

    February 12, 2014

    SUCH EXCITING NEWS this week! At last, Mari's new solo album is DONE -- all the tracks have been recorded and mixed, and the whole thing sounds absolutely amazing.

    Now, Mari needs YOUR help to FINISH the project! Check out the Indiegogo Campaign where she is raising funds and excitement for the last steps of getting this CD out into your hands and ears and dancing shoes. There are lots of ways to support this project, including contributing to the campaign (in return for some pretty spiffy Flight-themed rewards!) and helping spread the word to all your fiddle-loving friends! Thanks for all your support!

    Here's the direct link to Indiegogo: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/take-flight/x/3960283

    Tours and Kilts and Albums, oh my!

    November 2, 2013

    What an exciting few weeks it has been! Mari returned from the West Coast after a triumphant and adventure-ridden tour with her tango quartet, Orquesta Sin Trabajo, where highlights included headlining The West Coast Tango Marathon, teaching some amazing "Not Another Musicality" workshops (including this one at the famed CELLspace in San Francisco), eating massive amounts of Tootsie rolls (long story…), and even an impromptu baggage claim tango performance, caught on film at the San Jose airport. Whew, what a trip! For more highlights, pictures, and notes from the road, be sure to follow Mari on Facebook, where she's always posting about what's going on.

    The rest of the fall includes various performances in kilts and, of course, lots of studio time as Mari enters the final stages of completing her solo album, "Flight"! Follow Facebook for her updates directly from the studio, and stay tuned here for all the information about the spring CD release!

    West Coast, here we come...

    September 25, 2013

    Fall has almost arrived, and Mari is getting ready to hit the road with her tango quartet, Orquesta Sin Trabajo! The group will be touring in California for the next few weeks, so be sure to check the schedule and catch them at their best on the West Coast!
    ...And if you need any further convincing, here's a little preview video that will introduce you to the group and all the fun they are going to have and bring to their shows:

    Introducing the 2013 National Scottish Fiddle Champion!

    September 10, 2013


    Some very exciting news to kick off what is shaping up to be an amazing fall: Mari took a break from the recording studio long enough to play at the Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival, where she was crowned the 2013 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion! Needless to say, Mari is deeply honored and thrilled to join the ranks of outstanding fiddlers who have held the title before her. Here she is pictured with the Founders Quaich, a traditional Scottish trophy, just after receiving the award.

    Returning to Boston, Mari will spend the upcoming weeks mixing her new album, "Flight", before heading out for a tour of the West Coast with her tango quartet, Orquesta Sin Trabajo. Lots of adventure and great music on the horizon, so be sure to watch the schedule page to catch Mari on the road, and follow her on Facebook to keep up with all her fall adventures. See y'all out there!

    Where Did Summer Go?

    August 18, 2013

    Time flies when you're having fun! It has been a whirlwind summer, full of unbelievably exciting developments. Mari has been hard at work finishing up her debut solo album, which began with a week of magical recording with pianist Jake Charron and 'cellist Mike Block back in May. Since then, the CD has grown to include even more amazing musicians, including Canadian accordion and clogging master Sabin Jacques (of Raz de Maree), All-Ireland champion whistle player Tyler Duncan, world and jazz percussionist Michael Shimmin, mighty bass player Jesse Williams, and more. It's truly an astounding cast of artists, and Mari is so honored to have each of them on the CD, which is scheduled to be released this spring.

    Of course, we all know that Mari's ability to wait patiently to share music is…well, nonexistent. In that spirit, here is a small preview of what's coming on the album, some special footage from a live show with Mike and Jake during that first week of recording in Boston. Enjoy, and stay tuned for more previews and details about the album release soon!


    A New Recording Project!

    May 13, 2013

    And here we are! Next week, Mari heads back into the recording studio to create her debut solo album! She will be joined by dazzling Canadian pianist Jake Charron and fabulous rockin' cellist Mike Block, as well as other special guests, playing selections from all different fiddle styles and even a bunch of Mari's own original tunes. It's a very exciting project that is nearly 15 years in the making, and Mari can't wait to share it with everyone! Stay tuned for news about the project progress, release date, and more!

    Can't wait for the actual release? Good news -- neither can Mari! So, she will play a special CD Preview Show on Thursday, May 23rd! It will be a concert, a party, an all-around celebration of this great project, so please come join in! Check out the schedule page for more details about this event...

    Brand New Tango CD with Orquesta Sin Trabajo!

    April 1, 2013

    Exciting news! Mari and her tango ensemble, Orquesta Sin Trabajo, have just finished recording their debut album, "¡Viva Tango!" The CD includes the group's fresh, energetic arrangements of their favorite classic tangoes, and Mari can't wait to share it with you! To kick everything off, there will be an awesome CD Release Party on Friday, April 19th at the New England Tango Academy, and everyone is invited to come help celebrate! The party starts at 9:00 with dancing, and Orquesta Sin Trabajo will perform a special live set from 10 - 11. Check out Mari's Schedule page for more details about this event and the other Orquesta Sin Trabajo performances coming up this spring.

    As if this isn't enough excitement, Mari's summer schedule is rapidly filling up with fun appearances in the fiddle and contra dance world, and she is already busy working on her next album, this time a fiddle recording featuring some of her favorite musicians, tunes, and original compositions. Stay tuned for more details on all these projects, and make sure to come say hello to Mari somewhere along the road!

    Here We Come, Here We Go…

    March 4, 2013

    Winter has flown by in New England and beyond! Mari has just returned from the American String Teachers' Association (ASTA) national conference, where she greatly enjoyed catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, and presenting her doctoral research on multistyle music in colleges. Other highlights included watching a new group of fantastic young players perform in the Eclectic Strings Festival, an ASTA event that is near and dear to Mari's heart since she too grew up playing in it (Mari was an award-winner in 2005 and 2007, and is still close with many of her fellow cohort members). If you are a young string player in any genre, Mari highly recommends you check it out!

    Now back in Boston, Mari will be spending the rest of the month in the recording studio with her tango ensemble, Orquesta Sin Trabajo! The group has been putting together a diverse, energetic debut album, and Mari is looking forward to getting it into the recording studio and watching it come to life! Make sure you sign up for the Newsletter to keep up with the latest news about the album release, subsequent performances, and all Mari's other projects. See you on the other side!

    Dancing into Fall

    October 14, 2012

    Happy autumn, everyone! It has been a great summer, and Mari is very excited to start a busy fall, full of interesting projects. It seems that the theme of the season is DANCE. Mari is busy performing at tango festivals with her group, Orquesta Sin Trabajo, and will be giving several of her "Not Another Musicality" Workshops for tango dancers along the way. A great deal of her highland games fiddling time has been spent with dancers, and--of course--she is working hard on her own Canadian step dancing, which will be making it’s way into her solo shows very soon. There certainly can’t be a better way to kick off Mari’s first year as "Dr. Black" (At last--no more toting pounds of research papers on the road!). Check out the Schedule to see where you can catch Mari on the road and join in the fun!

    And hey, speaking of exciting kick off’s, just look at this spiffy new website! Many thanks to fantastic web designer Henry Finkelstein, who has created lots of neat corners to explore. In particular, make sure to check out the new videos, pictures, tunes, and of course sign up for the Newsletter for exclusive news, stories, and notes directly from Mari. Catch you all soon!

    Mari's Time in the Maritimes

    July 11th, 2012

    After a whirlwind week of travel and fantastic music, Mari has become the Maritime Fiddle Festival Open Fiddle Champion--the 3rd U.S. Fiddler to capture the title. In addition, she was thrilled to make her step dancing debut in the Open Step Class, and won the Group Class in an especially enjoyable performance with fantastic Nova Scotian fiddler Rosanna Burrill (definitely check out Rosanna on her MySpace). All of this took place in between many hours of jamming and visiting with the dozens of wonderful people who make the Maritime Fiddle Festival a magical event! If you're ever in Nova Scotia in July, attendance is highly recommended: Maritime Fiddle Festival

    Happy 4th, Traveling North

    July 4th, 2012

    Happy 4th everyone! Mari is on the road to celebrate with a week full of fiddling, first in New Boston, NH and then in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she will engage in a deluge of wonderful Canadian tunes, twin fiddling and --believe it or not-- her step dancing debut! Needless to say, there will be lots of practicing (read: shuffling feet around strangely) at rest stops and boarder crossings...

    Fiddle Family Reunions

    June 9th, 2012

    Mari is heading off to reunite with her old fiddle family at the New England Fiddle Contest! This is one of the wonderful contests that she grew up playing at and is truly a classic in New England. Many great fiddlers, including Mari's former teachers and students, and a full day of dance music. If you're in the Hartford, CT area, you should stop what you're doing, grab your fiddle and/or lawn chair, and come on down! More information at the Fiddle Fest Website

    Introducing ... "Dr. Black" ... ?!

    May 17th, 2012

    Unbelievable! Mari Black is now "Dr. Mari Black"!-- But it is unlikely she will answer to that name in person, so maybe don't try. Columbia University Commencement means the completion of Mari's dissertation hibernation, and the recommencement of her full-time musicing! Keep an eye on the Calendar and projects pages for lots of new developments as Mari's summer and fall schedules fill up, and watch for her on the road, where she looks forward to traveling without extra pounds of research notes and reference books. For those who are interested, Mari's dissertation is on the college-going experiences of multistyle string players, and focuses on how different types of college programs can help these eclectic musicians on their way to successful performing careers. If you would like to read (or skim) it, contact Mari. Copies will be available in a few weeks!

    Tango Mania!

    March 10th, 2012

    In the midst of getting ready for her dissertation defense in four weeks (yikes!), Mari was very excited to return to Tango Paradiso in Medford, MA with her tango group, Orquesta Sin Trabajo and her unique Not Another Musicality Workshop for tango dancers. In addition to an active (read: perhaps slightly wild) class on phrasing by Mari and a typically mischievous and adventurous dance set by Orquesta Sin Trabajo, the Orquesta played for a special performance by Toronto's amazing Bryant Lopez and Faye Lavin. These tango projects are really taking off, so watch the Calendar page to see where they go next and catch the fun live for yourself!

    Winter Adventures

    December 30th, 2011

    Happy holidays to all! Mari is spending her holiday season deeply involved in field research for her dissertation, but that never stops her from also enjoying some live playing projects! A couple weeks ago, Mari was the guest violin soloist for the Candlelight Christmas Celebration in Wakefield, MA, where she reprised the Vivaldi Winter concerto that she did with many of the same wonderful musicians at the Mentors and Muses Gala with Mark O'Connor in Jordan Hall a couple of years ago. A packed concert hall spent a frigid evening listening to Vivaldi's musical images of winter and other seasonal favorites. Next week, Mari will be teaching one of her Not Another Musicality Workshops for tango dancers at Boston's Blue Milonga, hosted by the fantastic Hsueh-tze Lee. Come join the fun!

    Jazz Drummers and Dancers and Kilts

    November 12th, 2011

    Happy fall everyone! It has been a delightfully busy few weeks for Mari, with lots of playing, guest lectures, and workshop appearances. She spent an amazing weekend at Yale University performing with Willie Ruff and the Whole Drum Truth, and giving a guest lecture about the connections between dancers and musicians in different folk traditions for the Interdisciplinary Seminar on Rhythm. After that, it was off to Virginia for a brief appearance at the Richmond Highland Games and some time with special new Scottish Fiddle mentor Dr. John Turner, an amazing fiddler who every Celtic fiddle fan should know about. In between these adventures, Mari has been giving very successful fiddle workshops in New England, and had the Boston-area debut of her unique "Not Another Musicality" Workshop, designed to help Argentine Tango dancers deepen their knowledge and connection to the music they dance to. There will be both more fiddle and tango workshops coming up soon, so watch the Calendar page to come join in!

    Live Webstream from Yale with The Whole Drum Truth, TONIGHT!

    November 4th, 2011

    A quick note from the road in New Haven, CT: Mari will be performing at Yale University tonight as a part of the Ellington Concert Series. The program is directed by the great Willie Ruff, and will feature Whole Drum Truth, an ensemble of four incredible jazz drummers all playing together under the leadership of the legendary Tootie Heath. The concert will stream live, so tune in to "A House Full of Rhythm" for a great time and....well, a house full of rhythm! Tickets and streaming information on the Yale Music website

    Happy Fiddling, Happy Fall!

    October 2, 2011

    It doesn't feel like fall yet, but the fall fiddle season has begun nonetheless! In between working on field research for her doctoral dissertation on multistyle string players in formal college programs, Mari has been enjoying Scottish fiddle appearances at various Highland Games--somehow fiddling in a kilt makes it even more fun! Stay tuned for more fall concert and workshop announcements via the Calendar page, or just sign up for the Newsletter and those announcements will find you!

    Greetings and Summer Catch-up

    August 31, 2011

    Greetings all, and welcome to Mari's news feed! Here, you can catch up on all her latest adventures and events, which certainly can pile up fast! Mari has just returned from a full summer of playing and teaching in Canada, where she had many great musical adventures and even won the Canadian Novelty Fiddle Championship--the 2nd U.S. Fiddler ever to capture the title. Click here to watch her show-stopping routine. If you like that performance, check out more videos of Mari, or even better, watch the Calendar page to see when you can catch her live!

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