Karen Dignan
Karen earned a B.A. in music education from the University of Idaho. She has taught everything from general music and choir to beginning band, middle school orchestra and high school band. Karen is a gifted fiddler, dance caller and swing dancer, currently busy as a private music teacher and mother of 6 (and wife of Ryan!). She loves the sense of community that comes from shared music and social dance. Karen started the Sandpoint Fiddle & Folk Arts Camp to create a musical community beyond the boundaries of individual schools and towns and to build the confidence of all the musicians who attend through creative performances and group collaborations.
Karen and her whole family are a staple of Fiddleworks on Salt Spring Island. Where would we be without them?!
Karen and her whole family are a staple of Fiddleworks on Salt Spring Island. Where would we be without them?!
Karen's 2019 classes (fiddle,dance)
All Camp Dance
A variety of dances for everyone, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon!
Learn a smorgasbord of mixers, polkas, novelty dances, squares, contras, and international folk dances. Take the music you’ve been playing on your instruments and put it in your feet!
Karen will also be the main dance caller at our Tuesday night community barn dance at Beaver Point Hall and Friday’s Gala dance in Centennial Park.
Beginner Best Loved Fiddle
Join Karen for four days of beginning fiddle fabulousness as we learn 4 -5 of those most favourite beginner fiddle tunes.
Class Time: 11:00
Intermediate Fiddle: Songs of the Sea
Improve your fiddle techniques while learning tunes that have a nautical narrative (or at least a random connection to the sea).
Class Time: 1:30
First Time Fiddle (Ages 12-Adult)
OK, here's your chance to take the plunge into the amazing world of fiddle! Karen will give you a great foundation in how to hold the instrument and bow, making a beautiful tone, playing in tune, and funnest of all-- she'll teach you a couple of fiddle tunes!! (p.s. little kids have a First Time Fiddle class at 1:00 with Julia, this one is just for big kids and Adults).
Class Time: 3:00
A variety of dances for everyone, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon!
Learn a smorgasbord of mixers, polkas, novelty dances, squares, contras, and international folk dances. Take the music you’ve been playing on your instruments and put it in your feet!
Karen will also be the main dance caller at our Tuesday night community barn dance at Beaver Point Hall and Friday’s Gala dance in Centennial Park.
Beginner Best Loved Fiddle
Join Karen for four days of beginning fiddle fabulousness as we learn 4 -5 of those most favourite beginner fiddle tunes.
Class Time: 11:00
Intermediate Fiddle: Songs of the Sea
Improve your fiddle techniques while learning tunes that have a nautical narrative (or at least a random connection to the sea).
Class Time: 1:30
First Time Fiddle (Ages 12-Adult)
OK, here's your chance to take the plunge into the amazing world of fiddle! Karen will give you a great foundation in how to hold the instrument and bow, making a beautiful tone, playing in tune, and funnest of all-- she'll teach you a couple of fiddle tunes!! (p.s. little kids have a First Time Fiddle class at 1:00 with Julia, this one is just for big kids and Adults).
Class Time: 3:00