Fiddle School Student Spotlight: Andrea Gerken

I first met Andrea Gerken in January when she joined the Mastery 1 Certification program. From the very beginning, she had a spark in her eyes and the kind of determination every teacher dreams of. Andrea doesn’t just attend class—she shows up fully in her practice, her attitude, and her music.

When we finally got to play together in person, on the campground at the National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest in Weiser, ID, I was blown away. Andrea had been playing for less than a year, yet her posture was great, her bow strokes steady, and her tone far beyond what you’d expect from a beginner. We jammed 8–10 tunes that night, and she held her own with confidence and groove.

Her progress in Mastery 1 has been remarkable. By following each step, leaning into the play-along tracks, and soaking up every teaching tip, Andrea has grown from Boil the Cabbage (that classic first fiddle tune) all the way to Marie and Golden Slippers—a leap to Irving Berlin and fast square-dance repertoire—in less than a year.

Andrea radiates enthusiasm, kindness, and a true eagerness to learn. She’s also a champion of follow-through, showing up consistently for every class and every challenge. She is, in every way, a joy to have in Mastery. I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes as she steps into Mastery 2 and beyond.

How long have you been playing?

1 year and 3 months.

How did you start fiddling?

I started fiddling in June 2024. Growing up in dance lessons and then teaching dance instilled in me a love of music and movement and since then I have always wanted to learn an instrument. The reason I chose the fiddle is that it is small enough to travel with and of course for the love of the music that can be played with it - from Texas Swing to Bluegrass. We travel quite a bit (especially in our sprinter van) and love to go on adventures so the fiddle can be transported, stored and played without needing a lot of space. I don't have a musical background in the traditional sense so I have found not knowing the language of music one of my big challenges as I have embarked on this journey.

What are your favorite styles/songs to play and why?

Right now I am loving ragtime tunes! I recently learned Huckleberry Rag and Stone's Rag and both are so fun to play. I love the blues notes and the slides. It makes me so dang happy! :P. In Fiddle School we have just learned Corrina, Corrina and started to work on improv. I love the Western swing sound and I am trying not to get intimidated by improv - I see the end goal and that motivates me to keep practicing.

How has Fiddle School influenced your playing?

Fiddle School is where I got my start- so I owe 100% of where I am to fiddle school. I love the supportive, friendly, encouraging environment. We are all on this journey together and we all started somewhere. Listening to and learning from the more experienced fiddlers (like Margie, Laura and Louise) give me huge motivation to get better! The goal post is far but the journey is like being in a luxury hotel with all the resources (and amazing teachers) Fiddle School has to offer.

What’s the most important thing music brings to your life?

JOY. I'd love to be able to bring that joy to others.

Tell us about the musical activities you do outside of Fiddle School.

We go to live music shows here in Jackson, WY as much as we can. From mandolin soloists like Chris Thile to soul/jazzy bands like Lake Street Dive. We are also taking Western swing dance lessons to round out the musical experience! 

What is your practice routine like?

I practice in the evening and aim for a 2 hour block some times shorter, some times longer. I always start with intonation work so my fingers can get their programming and work from earlier songs to newer songs. I am drawn to learning new songs- I just like adding them to the list and hearing a new melody.

I am in Mastery Certification Level 1 and it has been a game changer for my fiddling! The biggest wins have been the amount of songs we have learned in a relatively short period of time and from different genres. The gains feel like big steps vs small increments which has been really fun to feel and experience. I'm also enjoying the camaraderie with the other fiddlers in our group.

Anything else you'd like us to know about your musical life?

I started learning the guitar! Maybe one day the stand up bass will make an appearance in my life :P.

Join us in celebrating Andrea's ongoing musical journey at Fiddle School, and stay tuned for more spotlights on extraordinary fiddlers shaping the vibrant musical community we cherish.