The Strawberry Hill Fiddlers are a group of fiddling teenagers from various high schools in and around Dutchess County, New York. Directed by Emily and Carole Schaad, the group has been evolving since 1999. The Fiddlers are now part of Stringendo, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit community music school. The group performs traditional music from across the world, and are known to sing, dance, improvise, and solo throughout their shows.

The Fiddlers meet weekly in Hyde Park to learn and rehearse a diverse repertoire of fiddle tunes from many cultures around the world. They experiment with harmonies, improvisation and arrangements, and they also develop their skills in private workshops with renowned guest artists such as Jay Ungar, Ruth Ungar, Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger. They have shared stages with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, and Natalie MacMaster.

The group draws developing talent from Summer Strings day camp, created in 1997 by Carole, Emily and Jonathan Handman in Poughkeepsie to bring together students from all backgrounds, both to experience orchestral music and to learn traditional fiddle music by ear. Committed to community service, they perform frequently for church groups, nursing homes and in benefit concerts. They have performed as one of just four groups invited to the annual convention of the American String Teachers Association in Kansas City, and have toured to Scotland and throughout the country.

Appearing with the "Strawberries" at the Saugerties Pro Musica concert will be the Raspberry Fiddlers, who are a group in the Strawberry Hill Fiddle Program. Made up of high and middle school students, the "Raspberries" also meet weekly to learn and arrange traditional tunes, and ultimately perform for enthusiastic audiences.

At the end of June, 2012, the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers will go on tour in the UK. They will travel to Scotland and northern England, touring and visiting other young fiddlers, performing and sharing music and friendship. They are working diligently to prepare to be exemplary music ambassadors.

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