Karen Reed


Former North American Women's Open Champion

 

Testimonials

Karen was my instructor at a two-day workshop in the winter of 2008 (I am an adult student.) Karen was extremely encouraging, explained her instructions well, made me feel quite comfortable and was certainly great fun.
I would highly recommend her as an instructor in any capacity. She is a very talented, energetic and exuberant lady.
Catherine

Karen Reed

Karen was one of my instructors at a weekend fiddle camp. Karen made the camp fun! She led the jam sessions and got the crowd going with her humour, enthusiasm and great fiddle playing. Karen also took the time to know her students on a personal level. As well, she provided a lot of great tips for me to improve at playing the fiddle, and believe me I need them! If you get a chance to have Karen as a teacher or to hear her play, don't miss it!
Gord

Karen Reed

Karen was my teacher for just under a year, and was very accommodating with what I wanted to learn in the time frame I had. Since I knew I would be moving away to university I thought it would be hard to find a teacher willing to teach me what I wanted to learn, but Karen took on the challenge and kept me focused and determined.
Her teaching was very professional, but comfortably taught in the relaxed setting of her home. Karen listened to what I wanted to learn and incorporated it into her lessons, keeping me interested and focused on my goal of learning how to play the fiddle. She discussed the different ways I could perform in the community, and constantly kept me up to date on possible competitions to attend or participate in. Karen was also very flexible and accommodating when it came to scheduling and rescheduling lessons.
Most importantly Karen was always accepting of my progress and an exceptionally patient teacher. If I had the opportunity I would absolutely continue taking lessons from Karen. She was definitely the best musical instrument teacher I have ever had!
Victoria

Karen Reed

I started taking lessons from Karen in the fall of 2007. I think Karen is a wonderful teacher. First, she observes your playing capabilities and then chooses the best method of teaching - whether it be by ear or musical notation or both. She instructs according to your individual needs and quickly picks up on your strengths and weaknesses. Karen also takes boring scales and arpeggios and makes arrangements that are fun to play. I find I learn very quickly from Karen.
I have also attended fiddle camps and workshops where Karen has taught and have felt very welcome and comfortable. She makes sure everyone feels included and while keeping it professional, still keeps it fun.
Lisa

Karen Reed

Karen's workshop was awesome. I would recommend it to any fiddler looking for a great time, to learn something new and to make new friends. Thanks for an awesome weekend.
Grace

Karen Reed

Not only is Karen Reed an extremely talented fiddler but she is a great teacher which I think is a rare combination.
Her lessons are fun and challenging. Karen is able to analyze what my technical problems are and help me improve my playing. Thanks Karen!
Heather

Karen Reed

Karen is an amazing fiddle teacher. She knows exactly what I need to learn in order to improve my playing and plans "interesting" ways to make practicing fun!
What I like best is Karen's strength to assess and plan in order to meet my individual needs. She has provided me with all of the steps needed in an upward climb to help me gain technique and confidence in my playing. She pushes me while providing the support I need to start a tune boldly on my own. Now my family hums some of my tunes too!
Janet

Karen Reed

Another fine lesson from Karen Reed's most extraordinary April '08 fiddle workshop!
Robert

Karen Reed

It was great meeting and talking with you this weekend. My daughter enjoyed your workshop tremendously!
Karen

Karen Reed

Karen Reed has a passion for the fiddle that is contagious. Her performances, which I've been lucky enough to see, are nothing short of engaging. She is truly a talented individual...it is easy to see why she is one of the best.
As a teacher she is enthusiastic and very committed to teaching. I've listened to my children (7 and 9) in lessons with her over the past 2 years and am continually amazed by their excitement when a new song has been learned or a fiddle technique has been mastered.
Now, a student of Karen's for the past year, I too have come away with a solid appreciation for fiddle music and the joy that comes with playing. Karen has the unique ability to adjust her teaching to suit all ages. She teaches with warmth and patience and always a smile. Our family is proud and delighted to have a fiddle teacher such as Karen.
Donna

Karen Reed

We were thrilled to have had the opportunity to see Karen's recent show at the Black Forest Inn. She entertained the audience with an evening of impressive fiddle playing and an energy that captivated us. It was a fun, energetic evening with a great mix of fiddle music. We will definitely be looking forward to Karen's future shows.
Ken and Theresa

Karen Reed

I have been so lucky to take fiddle lesson with Karen. I never thought it was possible to improve so much so quickly. I went from playing 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' to 'Swallow Tail Jig' in about 9 months!
It is obvious when Karen teaches that her passion for fiddling comes out and is probably the reason why she is so good at it. Karen teaches with so much patience and makes every lesson a lot of fun, by jamming with you. I believe that is the best way to learn. Sometimes when you get frustrated that you can't play a piece as well as you would like, Karen will slow you down and take the time to figure out what it is you are having trouble with, whether it be emotional or technical, instead of letting you make the same mistake over and over.
She is an amazing fiddle player herself and I am so thankful for all her time and efforts.
Nathalie

Karen Reed

I had the privilege of watching Karen perform and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. She had a way of capturing the entire audience with her energy, stage presence, and musicianship. Her playing brought back memories to my father of Florian Zabach's style. Karen had a way about her playing that made it feel as if the music was speaking right to you.
Shirley

Karen Reed

Karen was a guest performer at an event I attended and I found her performance remarkable. She was a true entertainer. I loved how she interacted with the audience with both her words and music. Clearly, she had a love relationship with her music and her expressive playing created an atmosphere that was dynamic.
Al

Karen Reed

I had a great opportunity to see one of Karen's shows at the Robbie Burns Day celebration at the Black Forest Inn. Karen not only ‘reeled in' the audience with her passionate fiddling but she left people wanting more. She had a charisma and ability to speak to the audience through her playing that held my attention the entire two hours. I can't wait to get another opportunity to see another show.
Chris

Karen Reed

Karen Reed and Crossbow played two shows at our establishment (Showplace Dinner Theatre in The Black Forest Inn) and quite simply, brought the house down with their incredible musicianship, professional stage presence and timely audience rapport.
Karen is undoubtedly one of the finest fiddlers in Canada. Her vast repertoire of material ranges from Irish jigs to Quebecois fiddling and everything in between. The audience loved it.
I made sure to book them back as soon as their show was over.
Keith Burton
Entertainment Director
Showplace Dinner Theatre
The Black Forest Inn

Karen Reed

Karen's untiring and energetic fiddling leaves her audience spellbound and in amazement as she engages them in tune after tune. Her spark of energy on the fiddle, her footwork, and her voice display her Celtic music beautifully, which is truly magical, rhythmical and powerful. Her musical passion imparts to all a great sense of fun and music. Her unique performance is one you don't want to miss.
Juanita