Meet Brooke of Drunken Fiddles Wichita!

If you’ve been part of any of the Drunken Fiddles retreats, you’ve probably had the pleasure of meeting Brooke Browning, where she’s usually in the middle of the action, playing in a jam or heading out on some adventure to explore the area. 

Growing up playing violin in orchestra, Brooke now performs locally with a variety of ensembles, including the Salina, Hutchinson, and Newton symphonies, the Wichita Grand Opera, and local Celtic band Knocknasheega. Additionally, she works as a clinician in area schools, helping young musicians strengthen their skills. 

This passion for music has been a big part of growing her Wichita chapter, which just completed its 13th session. As she shares, “My teaching philosophy is that everybody CAN and my job is to give them the tools to enjoy and express their love of music, whether with viola, violin, or cello.”

When asked what drew her to Drunken Fiddles, she explained, “What makes Drunken Fiddles different is that adults get to be beginners in a safe place, or you get to come back to something you loved. Multiple times a week, people come up to me and say ‘I always wanted to play the violin or the viola,’ or ‘I always wanted to learn the fiddle,’ or ‘I wanted to get back to it.’ So other than private lessons, there was no community program for adults.”

With her background in Celtic music and deep connection to the local folk music scene, she’s often known for bringing in special guest instructors to class to teach new tunes and provide an even greater range of perspectives for students to learn from. Her students love the welcoming, fun vibe she creates and she shares that watching her students grow in confidence is still the best part of the experience. “My favorite memory has been seeing some of my students become comfortable enough with their instrument to perform.”

If you’re interested in being part of Brooke’s next session, it’ll kick off in January 2027 with a class for Absolute Beginners and one for more experienced players.