Fiddler and dancer Joanne Garton mixes her pervasive passion for Scottish culture with the drive and rhythms of the New England dance floor. A resident of Montpelier, Vermont for the last 18 years, Joanne plays regularly for contra, English, and Scottish dances around the US and Canada and performs on stage with her duo The Turning Stile with Aaron Marcus.
Off stage, she’s a sought-after teacher of fiddle, music theory, and step dancing for students of all ages. Find her at festivals, camps, and in her backyard chasing all the best (and oldest) Scottish tunes, playing fiddle in the session, teaching a ceilidh dance, and of course, stepping out on the dance floor herself to enjoy the evening.
Her teaching philosophy is rooted in student comfort: traditional fiddle and dance students are met with excitement about their desire to learn and genuine curiosity about their musical journeys. All students are encouraged to ask questions and given space and time to develop their thoughts, think out loud, and expand their joy in music.
A self-proclaimed “tree geek,” Joanne Garton is the technical assistance coordinator for Vermont Urban & Community Forestry, a role that has her traveling the state to collaborate with municipalities to foster healthy trees.
She’s also a fiddler, with a focus on Scottish tunes, and teaches music and dance. Joanne was born in Ottawa, Ontario, raised mainly in a rural area of northeastern Connecticut, and lived for many years in Montreal. She has called Montpelier home since 2008.
Live fiddle and step dance across New England, from intimate concerts to festival stages.
Fiddle and ensemble instruction focused on Scottish, English and New England repertoire.
Calling and group classes incorporating fiddle repertoire, step dancing, highland dance, and ceilidh and contra dancing.
