Meet the Faculty
Our faculty are recognized leaders in music education and in folk and traditional music. ​
Scott Walker
Fiddle, Cello
Scott and his fiddle tune books have inspired an uncountable number of students all over the country. Originally a cellist, Scott began studying Irish fiddle in the 90’s, eventually teaching Irish music and cello at Suzuki Institutes across the country. Since 2003, with brother Landon and daughter Jennie, the Walker Family Band performs original and traditional tunes.
Jennie Brunner
Fiddle, Roots and Shoots
Jennie Brunner holds a Music Education degree, three levels of Suzuki teacher-training, experience with Lifeways and Waldorf Education, and is also director of an Asheville fiddle group called the Haw Creek Sweet Hots, in which her two beautiful and talented children are members. Jennie is excited to share her love and passion for music with all ages and stages!
Aisha Ivey
Fiddle, Guitar
Aisha has a doctorate in Music Education from Florida State University. A champion fiddler, Aisha has won the Southeastern United States Scottish Fiddle Championship for ten years in a row and has also won awards and ribbons for her Irish, Old-Time, and Scandinavian fiddling.
Aisha's kindred Sparrow Music Camp, exploring traditional music and dance, happens twice yearly at Wekiwa Springs in Apopka, Florida.
Christen Blanton
Fiddle, Banjo
Dr. Christen Blanton Mack is a music educator and prize-winning fiddler. She directs the Old-Time Ensemble at UNC-Greensboro, where she has taught and mentored students of folk and roots music since 2016. She is the Orchestra Director at the Academy at Lincoln Middle School in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she also teaches Music Production, and leads the Global Music Ensemble and Vespa Strings.
Angel Cleary
Guitar, Singing
Dr. Cleary, a 20-year veteran (and real Air Force Veteran!) teaches guitar and other music classes at Columbia Virtual Academy in Grovetown, Ga. In her spare time she plays mandolin, guitar and harp with the Augusta-based Irish band DeCeadaoin or with her own three kids in a family punk band called Baby Mustache.
Linda Minke
Cello, Harp
Cellist Linda Minke, based in Neptune Beach, Florida, added fiddle to her life about a decade ago, and now also plays a bit of ukulele, washboard, and harp.
Linda's Suzuki teacher-training, symphonic playing, and Waldorf knowledge combined with over 40 years teaching experience enable her to nurture students of all ages and abilities.
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Landon Walker
Accordion, Bass
A pioneer in public radio in Jacksonville, Florida, Landon Walker also played jazz bass (and tuba) in ensembles large and small, from jazz to opera. Since his brother Scott introduced him to Irish music, Landon has taught bass, tin whistle, accordion, improvisation, origami and banjo at our workshops.
Ruth Pershing
Dance
Ruth is an experienced teacher of folk dance including clogging, flatfoot, English Country Dance and contra. She is in demand as a caller in dance circles across the eastern seaboard and dances with the Cane Creek cloggers at venues far and wide. In addition to teaching dance classes and leading a contra dance every afternoon, she organizes and referees meadow games for all the children.
