Drunken Fiddles presents:
Winter Strings Retreat 2026
February 20th, 21st, & 22nd
in Kansas City
Calling adult string players!
This winter, step into our bi-annual fiddle retreat and fill your musical heart with magic. Learn from an inspiring group of instructors as you explore styles ranging from fiery bluegrass licks to soulful Turkish melodies. You’ll taste and sample multiple genres, grow as a player, and connect deeply with a welcoming community of adult musicians who share your curiosity and love of music.
Schedule
(subject to shift a little)
Friday,
February 20th
5:00-6:00 Happy Hour
Have a drink and snack. We will have pizza!
5:00-5:50pm: Ezgi Karakus teaches Music from Turkey
Learn a Turkish tune with accompanying techniques from the Middle East.
6:00-7:00pm: Chris Valencia teaches Bluegrass Fiddle
Chris will teach you a set fiery licks that can be added to your fiddle repetoire to get toes tappin' and feet dancing!
8:00-9:00pm Laurel Morgan teaches Creative Play Participants will explore poking holes in limiting thoughts and ideas that keep us stuck as musicians. We will open up to possibilities after challenging status quo beliefs.
Saturday,
February 21st
9:00am: Doors open for coffee and bagels and warm up
9:30-10:20am: David Agee teaches Clogging Basics from the Quebecois Style
We will learn how to do a basic foot pattern while playing our instruments.
10:20-10:30am: Break
10:30-11:20am: Sascha Groschang teaches Rhythmic Chords
Sascha will have us chopping, chunking and turning our string backup playing into percussive grooves.
11:20-11:30am: Break
11:30-12:00pm: Join Laurel Morgan for a Play Along session
to practice what we've learned so far.
12:00-1:30pm: Lunch Break
(There are plenty of restaurants just a short drive away).
1:30-2:20pm: Betse Ellis teaches Iconic Bowing for Fiddlers
Betse will teach us how to use the bow to drive the rhythmic groove of an Old-Time tune.
2:20-2:30pm: Break
2:30-3:00pm: Play Along with Laurel Morgan
We'll have fun reviewing the tunes we just learned!
3:00-3:30pm: Break
3:30-4:20pm: Brooke Browning: "Celtic Adventures"
Learn an Irish tune by ear with flicks, rolls and cuts!
4:20-4:30pm: Break
4:30-5:00pm: Elana James teaches Western Swing
Our featured instructor will give us all the secrets to soloing our our fiddles, violas and cellos.
Sunday,
February 22nd
9:00am: Doors open for coffee and donuts
9:30-10:20am: Kirsten Weiss teaches Harmony with Strings
Learn how to bring a tune to life by stacking harmonies, grooves and rhythms.
10:20-10:30am: Break
10:30-11:20am: Ben Munoz teaches Pop Strings
Learn how to take your favorite song from the radio and play it with style.
11:20-11:30am: Break
11:30-12:00pm: Play Along with Laurel Morgan
12:00-1:30pm: Lunch Break
1:30-3:00pm: Elana James teaches Western Swing Part 2
Instructors
Elana James, Western Swing Fiddler (Hot Club of Cowtown)
James is a founding member, along with Whit Smith, of the hot jazz and Western swing trio Hot Club of Cowtown. The Hot Club of Cowtown was formed after Whit and Elana met through an ad Elana placed in the music section of the Village Voice in 1994 while she was working as an editorial intern at Harper’s Magazine. Playing with Whit at night and on weekends, by the fall of that year James had became the managing editor of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and had every intention of living a normal life before music eventually edged out everything else. BY 1997 Elana and Whit had moved to San Diego where they spent a year playing putting together a repetoire and playing for tips in Balboa Park, the Ocean Beach Farmers Market, and at local coffee houses and cafes. They moved to Austin in 1998, joined up with bassist Jake Erwin in 2000, and all three have been touring and recording as the Hot Club of Cowtown ever since.
Betse Ellis, Old Time Fiddler (Betse & Clarke & The Wilders)
Betse Ellis—marking 50 years on violin/fiddle—revels in continued learning. With over 25 years of fiddle instruction experience, she focuses on ergonomic technique, iconic southern mountain fiddle bowing elements, and fine expression. From her international tours with The Wilders and Betse & Clarke to her longtime friendship with mentor Violet Hensley, Betse celebrates tradition and creative journeys.
Chris Valencia, Bluegrass Fiddler
Chris Valencia's fiddling is rooted in bluegrass, country, blues, and swing styles. Over the years, he has developed a versatile musical voice that blends technical clarity with soulful expression, allowing him to move comfortably between high-energy ensemble work and intimate musical spaces. His playing honors tradition while staying rhythmic, flexible, and alive to the moment. You can hear him with bands such as Cowtown Country Club and Rancho Deluxe.
Ezgi Karakus, Turkish Cello (Ensemble Iberica)
Ezgi Karakus is a genre-defying Turkish c ellist,vocalist, and composer known for her bold artistry and magnetic stage presence. A classically trained soloist with a Doctor of Musical Arts from the UMKC Conservatory, she has performed with major ensembles like the Kansas City Symphony, Tulsa Symphony, soloist performances with Topeka Symphony and Springfield Symphony, also appeared at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, and unique stages across Turkey, Europe and South America. She was also invited to perform in a master class with Yo-Yo Ma at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Blending influences from Turkish, Spanish, and world music, Ezgi composes and performs original works that cross cultures and genres. She also sings traditional Turkish music and her own songs, delivering deeply expressive performances. Her meditation album Warmest Wave received Grammy consideration in the New Age category. She currently serves as principal cellist of the Turkish American Orchestra and is a core member of Ensemble Iberica.
Sascha Groschang, (The Wires & St. Petersburg String Quartet)
Sascha Groschang, cellist, has performed extensively across Europe, Asia, North and South America. She has appeared at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall numerous times, and gave her solo debut recital at Carnegie Hall in 2009. She has been a soloist and lecturer at the Thailand International Composition Festival, performed for the King of Malaysia with the Kuala Lumpur International Festival Orchestra, and traveled all across China on two tours with the Mantovani Pops Orchestra. She has shared the stage with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, The Eagles, Vince Gill, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Bublé, Peter Gabriel, Josh Groban, Sarah Mclachlan, Idina Menzel, Amy Grant and her recording credits include NBC, Atlantic, and Rhino Records.
Sascha is the cellist and co-composer of the alternative string duo, "The Wires", which explores a variety of non-traditional string techniques and styles through original compositions. The Wires have released three full length albums and their music is published by Mel Bay International. They have their own online school and in-person retreats in the US and Europe, also entitled Drunken Fiddles, which focuses on teaching beginning fiddle styles to adult learners. In addition, for two years, they were co-hosts and curators of the weekly show Sound Currents on 91.9 Classical KC, exploring contemporary music from all over the world.
In addition, Sascha is principal cellist of NewEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, KC’s professional new music ensemble, dedicated to playing the works of living composers. In 2022, she joined the St. Petersburg String Quartet. Their accolades include a Grammy nomination, "Best Record" honors in both Stereo Review and Gramophone, a five-year residency at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and hundreds of concerts on many of North America, Europe and Asia's most prestigious series and festivals. Since joining, the quartet has played concerts in Ecuador, Peru, Israel, Estonia, Germany, France, Kazakhstan, and the United States. In 2023, she also joined the Fountain City String Quartet, which performs across the midwest with classical and pop-crossover Candlelight Concerts.
Kirsten Weiss, Drunken Fiddles Instructor Springfield, MO
Kirsten Weingartner Weiss began her music studies at the age of four and holds degrees in both violin and viola. She currently serves as the principal violist of the Springfield Symphony and recently retired from the concertmaster position of the Missouri Philharmonic after nearly 15 years. Kirsten is an avid chamber musician as well as the Drunken Fiddles Springfield instructor.
In the past, she has performed as a member of the Illinois, Peoria, Cedar Rapids and Omaha Symphonies, as well as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and she spent 10 years as violist and violin soloist with the Lawrence Welk Show. Recently she served as a substitute violinist on the national tour of Hamilton in both Springfield and Minneapolis. Besides her performing, Kirsten has a private studio of approximately 30 young violin and viola students and was the recipient of the 2023 Missouri String Teachers Association Artist Teacher Award.
David Agee, Quebecois Fiddler
Multi-instrumental and Kansas native, David Agee, is a pillar of the Kansas City music community. Dave began his career playing blues and rock guitar in his youth then picked up bluegrass and traditional Irish music in his early twenties, splitting time between guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. Dave was a member of the first Irish band in Kansas City, Talisman, and was a founding member of Scartaglen, a Kansas City Celtic band formed in 1982. David is a skilled improviser, performer, and composer and has participated in many Irish festivals including North Texas, Mississippi, Dublin, Kansas City, Quad City, Weston, and The Missouri River Irish Fest. In addition to performing, David runs a private studio teaching fiddle, mandolin, tenor banjo and guitar.
Brooke Browning, Fiddle player in Knocknasheega
Brooke Browning is a local music teacher in Wichita, Kansas. She runs Browning String Studio and teaches Drunken Fiddles Wichita.
Not only does she love teaching privately, but she also works as a clinician in area schools, helping kids level up their playing. She enjoys being a musician at large and performing with many groups including Wichita Grand Opera, the Salina, Hutch and Newton Symphonies, and local Celtic band Knocknasheega. She loves being a part of the local folk music scene and jamming with all the talented people who share her love of music!
Ben Muñoz, Cellist in Ekho Duo
Originally from Lee's Summit, Missouri, Ben Muñoz studied cello at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ben was a founding member of the Pittsburgh-based Cello Fury, formed in 2009 as a progressive rock/classical music quartet. Performing almost exclusively original material, the group found immediate local and national success, playing more than 100 shows per year and releasing three albums of original music over the next 10 years. In late 2018, Ben left the group to join Quixotic, where he has made an immediate and lasting impact thanks to his unique and expansive approach to his work as well as his effusive enthusiasm on stage. He currently performs in the group Ekho Duo.
Laurel Morgan, Founder of Drunken Fiddles
Laurel is the founder of Drunken Fiddles and has a passion for teaching adults to enjoy playing music together in a relaxed group setting. Laurel is currently a member of the Wires String Duo where she enjoys composing music inspired by different styles and fiddle traditions. She loves playing with rock and folk bands and has enjoyed her performances with the Eagles, Disturbed, Amy Grant, Sarah McLachlan, and Evanescence to name a few.
You can listen to her music on all the digital platforms. Just look up Of Tree, The Wires, or In the Pines.
Participant Requirements
This is an adults only, age 21+, retreat. (No exceptions).
All participants must play either the violin/fiddle, viola or cello and have at least a year of playing experience. We will not cover the basics in this retreat so you must know your way around the strings and fingerboard in first position.
If you feel rusty we recommend signing up for a month of Fiddle Life Online School (just $29) where you can get guided lesson content to work on at home on your own.
You do not need to know how to read music! We just want you to know how to hold your instrument and how to play some basic fiddle tunes or music before you sign up.
Testimonials from our last retreat...
"Wow! This was mind expanding..."
"Phenomenal--Great pacing, excellent instruction!"
"The group was very welcoming, and I enjoyed meeting others. It was a good diversion from the crazy world."
Frequently Asked Questions
I live outside of Kansas City. Can I still attend?
Can I get a refund if I decide not to attend?
What level will the retreat be taught at?
I'm not in Drunken Fiddles. Can I still attend?
Get Inspired
Attending a retreat can ignite your playing for the rest of the year! What you gain will keep you going for months beyond.
Meet New People
Our vibe at Drunken Fiddles is welcoming, encouraging and inclusive. We have a folksy, community feel to our classes.
Acquire New skills
Learning from master instructors will round out your musical knowledge to acquire skills that can unlock new potentials in your playing.
Location
1750 Belleview Ave, 2nd Floor
Kansas City, MO 64108
The Winter Strings Retreat will be located at Greenwood Social Hall. Plenty of street parking is available.
Please note that the entrance involves walking up one flight of stairs.
