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Current Class Schedule

Locations & Dates

KC Thursdays

Thursdays
@ The Ox Cafe & Bakery 

1600 Genessee St
Kansas City, MO 64102

6:00 Absolute Beginner
6:45 Experienced Beginner
7:30 Intermediate

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SCHEDULE:

* April 18th
* April 25th
* May 2nd
* (skip May 9th)
* May 16th

KC Sundays

Sundays
@ Renew & Design

4112 Troost Ave
Kansas City, MO 64110

1:45 Absolute Beginner
2:30 Experienced Beginner
3:30 Intermediate

- - - - -

SCHEDULE:

* April 21st
* April 28th
* May 5th
* May 12th

Lawrence, KS

Tuesdays
@ Black Stag Brewery

Downstairs (elevator available)
623 Massachusetts
Lawrence, KS 66044

6:00 Absolute Beginner
6:45 Experienced Beginner
7:30 Intermediate

- - - - -

SCHEDULE:

* April 23rd
* April 30th
* May 7th
* May 14th

Lee's Summit

Sundays
@ Megan's Wellness Tribe

622 SW 3rd St.
Lee's Summit, MO 64063

Beginner Class

 

- - - - -

SCHEDULE:

* April 7th 3:00-4:00pm
* April 14th 3:00-4:00pm
* April 21st 5:00-6:00pm
* May 5th 3:00-4:00pm

St. Joseph, MO

Wednesdays
@ Hazel's Coffee Bar

310 N 3rd Street  St. Joseph, MO 64501
 
6:00-6:30pm Absolute Beginner Lesson
6:30-7:30pm Combo Class
(Absolute beginners w/ experienced players)

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SCHEDULE:

* April 24th
* May 1st
* May 8th
* Friday, May 17th

Springfield, MO

Sundays
@ The Creamery Arts Center

411 N Sherman Pkwy
Springfield, MO 65802

3:00-4:00pm Combo Class
(Absolute beginners w/ experienced players)

 

- - - - -

SCHEDULE:

* May 5th
* skip May 19th
* May 12th
* May 26th
* June 2nd

Wichita, KS

Sundays
@ Tor Brewery

222 S Commerce St.
Wichita, KS 67202

2:30-3:00pm Absolute Beginner Lesson
3:00-4:00pm Combo Class
(Absolute beginners w/ experienced players)

- - - - -

SCHEDULE:

* May 19th
* skip Memorial Day weekend
* June 2nd
* June 9th
* June 16th

Want to join our next session?

Absolute Beginner Class 

This class is for people who consider themselves absolute beginners and have zero experience playing the fiddle. We will start from the absolute beginning, learning the correct posture for holding the instrument.  We will learn 3 fiddle tunes together.  Plan to have a lot of laughs and fun!  Absolute Beginners are invited to stick around for the experienced class to join in OR watch.

Beginner Class 

This class is for people who would like a slowly paced class, but have already had *some* experience playing their instrument.  We will be revisiting Drunken fiddles favorites. 

Intermediate Class 

In this session we will play several tunes together! The first half of the class will be taught at a slow pace and will be heavily instructed.  We will learn several different tunes in styles such as Celtic, Old-Time and more.  The second half of the class will be faster-paced with more playing/less instruction.  Get ready to have a good time and expand your fiddle/cello technique!

 

Drunken Fiddles

Drunken Fiddles is a group class for adults who would like to learn how to play the fiddle, or cello.  During the 4 week workshop participants will learn a new fiddle tune each week in a relaxed group environment. We drink wine, we laugh, we have fun and, most importantly, we fiddle! 
 
We don't just play tunes - we learn the stylistic elements that honor regional traditions.
 
Each class is taught by professional violinist/fiddler Laurel Parks.  Laurel is also the host of Sound Currents on 91.9 Classical KC, a weekly radio program that explores contemporary classical and crossover music. Her current musical projects include being a composer and musician with The Wires String duo, Of Tree and In the Pinewhich is signed with the European label Arctic Rodeo.  Her compositions with the Wires String Duo are published by Mel Bay International publishing.  Keeping a regular performing schedule in Kansas City, Laurel has also performed extensively in Europe and Asia. 
 
Laurel's background includes improvisation, studying various fiddle styles from around the world, composition and classical training.  She is passionate about teaching adults who have always dreamed of playing strings.

Keep In Touch

Sign up for the email list to receive information on upcoming classes!  Scroll down for FAQ's.

Keep In Touch

Sign up for the email list to receive information on upcoming classes!

Hi Everyone!  I have created an online school for learning fiddle and cello.

This course is divided into TWO tracks. When you sign up, you will have access to both levels.
  1. Absolute Beginners--For people who have NEVER played the fiddle before (We start from the absolute beginning and it is assumed you know nothing about playing the violin or fiddle.
  2. Intermediate -- This is for people who know their way around their instrument. Pick your favorite genre (Celtic?  Romany?  Old Time?...) and find a tune you love.  Print out the sheet music with fingerings and watch your in depth lesson video.  Then, practice with the instructors at a slowed down pace until you work up to the performance level video.  If you want more, there is an option for LIVE instruction several times a month!
 

 

 

$29/month intro rate

no contract, cancel anytime

First month is free!!!!

Sign Up Now! LEARN MORE

Latest Press

Drunken Fiddles in the News!

Order Laurel's Sheet Music

Celebrate the winter season with these concert-ready arrangements influenced by a variety of folk traditions such as Celtic, old-time, bluegrass and Scandinavian fiddle. This collection of time-honored and original melodies is written with a modern string crossover twist to keep both the listener and performer engaged. All tunes are arranged by the Wires String Duo, including their original piece “Campbell Street”.  The audio is a stereo recording of each of the arrangement

Order Music

The Pitch

Read the article in The Pitch about Drunken Fiddles!

Read Article

The Wires Duo

The Wires are a modern exploration in string sound. Created in Kansas City, Missouri,  Laurel Morgan Parks, violin, and Sascha Groschang, cello, have been composing dynamic and cinematic music as best friends since 2009. Their music is inspired by imagery found in the natural world, folk styles and modern string techniques. Following their debut album in 2012, their 2nd album “Wilder” (May 2019) is an imagined journey that includes depths of the oceanic world, the vast expanse of Celtic hills, the coldness of frozen tundra and a discovery of the cosmos. Their holiday album, “Winter” (December 2020) encompasses a cinematic, yet an intimate timbre, with the classic sounds of the season.  “Winter,” their collection of holiday favorites arranged by The Wires along with their original piece, ‘Campbell Street,’ is published by Mel Bay Publications. The Wires are also the hosts and curators of “Sound Currents” on 91.9 Classical KC – a weekly radio program that explores and discovers a broad range of new music. Their online school, “Fiddle Life,” (www.fiddlelife.com), teaches adults traditional styles at beginner and intermediate levels.  The duo performs at festivals, concert halls, and music venues in the Midwest and beyond.

Learn More

Featured on KCUR 89.3

Making music should be fun. But when adults squeak through their first violin lessons, they may not get the compassion a child might receive. Enter Drunken Fiddles.

Listen to the Program

Ireland Retreat, Booking Now!

Join musician Laurel Morgan Parks and the Drunken Fiddlers for an experience of a lifetime!

Learn More!
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What’s your favorite tune?

Sign up for the email list and I will send you a recording of ME playing the CHORUS to your favorite tune on the fiddle.