Aidan Dunkelberg of Columbus was only 4 years old when he first picked up the violin and began training with the Suzuki Strings program. Eleven years later, he is preparing for a solo showcase in his hometown. The 15-year-old turns his bow to bluegrass for “Me & My Fiddle,” a 7 p.m. show Thursday, June 2 at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center.
Although the teen is usually seen performing classical compositions under the direction of Diane Ford with the Suzuki Strings of Columbus Youth Orchestra and Advanced Ensemble, he decided to focus on fiddling for Thursday’s concert.
“I wanted a reason to really put some work into my fiddle music,” said the young musician. He was inspired, in part, by his experience in February with Twin Kennedy. When the fiddle- and guitar-playing Kennedy twins from British Columbia were in Columbus for an arts council show, Dunkelberg took part in their workshop. The duo invited him to perform on stage with them that evening at the sold-out concert. The video can be viewed at columbus-arts.org.
“I felt that went really well, and I thought it would be a good idea to put myself out there,” said Dunkelberg, who also plays mandolin.
Guest performers
Thursday’s show will include musical guests — former Grand Ole Opry fiddler Jim Brock, and Abby Swartzendruber, 16, a fellow Suzuki Strings violinist.
Brock, of Pickens County, Alabama, has been Dunkelberg’s fiddle instructor for the past seven years.
“He’s turned out to be a good fiddle player,” said Brock, who played for many years with Carl Sauceman and the Green Valley Boys and artists including Bill Monroe and Jim and Jesse McReynolds. “I enjoy seeing young people like him take up fiddling and doing a good job with it.”
The planned program includes a range of tempos with tunes such as “Smoky Mountain Rag,” “Ashokan Farewell,” “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “Lonesome Moonlight Waltz.”
“I’ve tried to mix it up as much as I can,” said Dunkelberg. “I really like the pace of bluegrass, and it’s very expressive.” He will include a classical piece as well.
In addition to instructors Diane Ford and Jim Brock, Dunkelberg credits his parents, Dr. Kendall Dunkelberg and Dr. Kim Whitehead, for getting him started with music and always supporting him.
“They’ve tried to instill a love of the music,” he said. “My dad even tried to pick (fiddle) up to help me out.”
Columbus Arts Council Program Manager Beverly Norris is impressed with Dunkelberg’s organization.
“He’s selected his music, timed every piece out, selected his performing guests, set rehearsal schedules and even took the photo used for his poster,” she said. “We think it’s so important to recognize and support young people who are not only talented, but are working hard to make a positive impact.”
In addition to performing with the Suzuki Strings, Dunkelberg has three times been selected for the Mississippi All-State Strings Orchestra at Belhaven University and has made several appearances with the Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra. The former Columbus High School student will enter the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science this fall.
Norris said, “The Columbus Arts Council is very honored and proud to offer a showcase of Aidan’s talent.”
How to go
Tickets to “Me & My Fiddle” are $6 in advance and $8 at the door. Seating in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater is limited; advance tickets are recommended. Purchase them at columbus-arts.org, at the arts center at 501 Main St. (closed Monday), or by calling 662-328-2787 Tuesday through Thursday.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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