Claire Vanorny, 12, of Eagan, has been enjoying Irish music her whole life! Beginning with going to see her mom’s bands (Claire’s mom is fiddler Mary Vanorny who currently plays with the Two Tap Trio, the Twin Cities Céili Band and Brass Lassie), Claire has been playing fiddle since her mom found a 1/10 size violin on Craigslist when she was very small. Claire has also studied Irish dance, dancing with Rince na Chroi for six years.
Claire began learning her instrument with help from her mom. Claire tells us that they didn’t do lessons. Her mom “just showed me what to do and I would ask questions.” Claire studies at the Center for Irish Music and plays with their Swallowtail Ensemble. She now plays a half size fiddle and joined in recording a track on her mom’s recent CD First Light of Day.
Last year, Claire and her friend Ginger Anderson (another IMDA Educational Grant Recipient) placed 1st in duet at the Midwest Fleadh, earning the opportunity to compete in the All-Irelands. Claire really enjoyed her trip to Ireland. She attended Scoil Eigse, the week-long camp before the Fleadh, played in sessions, attended concerts and recitals and did a bit of touring. Claire says that she was “so happy to meet new people and hear amazing musicians from all over the world.”
Claire has also begun to teach! She teaching a neighbor (he’s 6) to play violin. She tells us “My mom coaches me how to do a lesson and then I go over to his house and teach him.”
Claire has continued to study during these difficult times, attending classes via Zoom at the Center for Irish Music as well as taking private lessons with a Suzuki teacher. Claire decided this time, during the Stay at Home order, would be a great time to take fiddle lessons on line with someone she wouldn’t normally get to play with. Claire began studying with Gaelic Storm’s fiddler Katie Grennan and is using her IMDA Educational Grant to continue those lessons.
In recommending Claire, Katie commented that she was impressed with Claire’s “technical skills and her inner musicality.” Together, they are working to expand Claire’s repertoire, strengthen her left- and right-hand techniques and help her develop her own unique style rooted in tradition, all while gaining more confidence in her own abilities, deepening her appreciation for traditional Irish music and better understanding the interaction between the music and the dance.
This is a unique time to be studying music and this collaboration appears to be valuable both for Claire and for Katie, who is not able to tour with Gaelic Storm, play other gigs, or to teach dance classes.
The Irish Music and Dance Association is delighted to help this dedicated young musician continue her musical journey.