Developing Youth through Music

We are so much more than just a music group!

 LEAdership

Our Calgary Fiddlers mentorship program allows our senior students to work with, lead and inspire our younger students throughout the year.

 CFA Mandate: To preserve, promote and perform all types of fiddling, with a particular emphasis on Canadian styles.

Confidence

Building confidence through our group performance format, students learn to engage the audience, speak in front of a crowd as they introduce repertoire, as well as staging skills through choreography.

 CFA Mission: Through the art of Canadian fiddle music, we motivate, educate, and inspire children to develop musically and socially.

LIFE skills

The discipline of learning a musical instrument coupled with the interpersonal skills of working as a team and touring locally & internationally, give our students the experiences that will help them succeed in any career they may choose.

 CFA Vision: To develop life skills in our young students such as leadership, confidence, discipline, time management, & an appreciation for the Canadian heritage of folk fiddling; all acquired with exposure to local & international performance experiences, while promoting and preserving the art of fiddle music.

Our Team

For 43 years, staff at the Calgary Fiddlers Association having been pouring their heart and soul into developing amazing young fiddle musicians while ensuring the time-honoured art of folk fiddle endures, thrives and evolves. 

We have the best job in the whole, wide world.  Why, you ask?  Because, we get to work with over 80 of the most hard-working, passionate young people on the planet!

Our highly trained team members have oodles of fun, but we work very hard to provide top-notch, innovative fiddle music education in Calgary.

CFA Artistic & Production Staff

CFA History

The Calgary Fiddlers Association emerged from the classical violin program at Mount Royal Conservatory of Music in 1981. At that time, Dr. Norman Burgess was the Director of the Conservatory and his passion for innovation, creativity and excellence led him to create the Calgary Fiddlers program for young classically trained musicians. He loved classical violin and he LOVED to fiddle (his two worlds collided to create something VERY special). After 36 years, his legacy continues!

Our history is important and everyone who has been involved, be it student or teacher, has played an integral part in making the Calgary Fiddlers Association North America's largest and most successful fiddle education and performance program, to date!

CFA TIMELINE

Check out the Calgary Fiddlers Association's time line of key events taking place from 1981 to the present.

LISTEN TO HISTORY

Listen as this entertaining documentary takes you through the rich and varied history of our fabulous organization.

Help us share the gift of music!

Music has a remarkable power. It connects generations, builds confidence in young people, preserves cultural traditions, and brings joy to those who need it most. Through our programs, we are working to ensure that music—especially Canada’s rich fiddle and folk traditions—remains vibrant, accessible, and deeply meaningful in our community. But we can’t do it alone. Your support helps us bring the gift of music to people of all ages and backgrounds.

1. Celebrate Seniors: Music That Bridges Generations

Our Celebrate Seniors Program brings the energy and warmth of young musicians directly into limited-mobility seniors’ centres.

For many seniors, live music is more than entertainment—it’s connection, memory, and joy. When our youth perform in these centres, something magical happens: generations come together, stories are shared, and music becomes a bridge between past and present.

Your donation helps us bring more performances to seniors who may otherwise never experience live music again.

2. Student Bursary Fund: Music for Every Young Musician

Talent and passion for music should never be limited by financial barriers. Our Bursary Fund ensures that every young musician has the opportunity to participate in our educational programs, regardless of their family’s financial situation.

With your support, we can:

• Provide tuition assistance for students in need

• Ensure instruments, lessons, and opportunities remain accessible

• Empower the next generation of musicians to grow and succeed

When you support a student, you’re not just funding a program—you’re investing in a young person’s confidence, creativity, and future.

3. Canadian Heritage Folk Music Fund

Canada has a rich tradition of fiddle and folk music that deserves to be celebrated and preserved.

Our Canadian Heritage Folk Music Fund allows us to:

• Bring fiddle music clinicians from across Canada to mentor our students

• Introduce youth to diverse regional fiddle traditions

• Purchase and perform music by Canadian composers and arrangers

This program keeps Canadian folk music alive—passing knowledge, artistry, and cultural heritage from one generation to the next.

4. Wild Rosin Fiddle Camp

Every year, our Wild Rosin Fiddle Camp provides students with an unforgettable immersive experience where music and life skills come together.

At camp, students develop:

• Team-building and leadership skills

• Extra Curricular experiences such as dance, choreography, auxiliary percussion and vocal training

• Mass ensemble performance skills

• Lifelong friendships, confidence and life skills

Camp is where musicians truly grow—not just as performers, but as people.

Your Gift Makes the Music Possible.  Together, we can ensure the gift of music continues to inspire generations to come.

Please consider making a donation today and helping us keep the music alive!

For further information, please contact Nolana Baillargeon at 403-835-3738. Our address is P.O Box 74086, RPO Strathcona, Calgary, Alberta T3H 3B6.

Charitable Registration No.  13270 9833 RR0001