Congratulations to Olivia Dunn, a talented and accomplished young fiddler living in the Nashville area and winner of the first annual Bill Verdier Irish Music Scholarship award! The award defrayed part of Olivia’s expenses in attending the celebrated Willie Clancy Summer School (Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy) held annually in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland.
Olivia told us that she fell in love with Irish traditional music at age 7 upon hearing a recording of Irish fiddler Liz Knowles playing in a Nashville record store. Shortly after that she started fiddle lessons with Gretchen Priest-May and Rose Flanagan and then with Brian Conway who encouraged her to “find my voice while also honoring the tradition and history of the music.” An active member of the traditional session scene in Nashville she teaches fiddle lessons and hosts a traditional music concert series. “The tunes, skills, knowledge, and connections at Willie Clancy Summer School will spill over into so many areas of my work here in Nashville, with my students and my own playing.”
From Bill Wolfe, Board President of the Scholarship: “Olivia’s strong commitment to understanding and sharing the music is such a great asset to the community in Nashville and in the larger region. We are very pleased that this scholarship honoring Bill will enhance her connection to the music and community in Ireland and here at home.”
Please visit our Applications page to learn about the scholarship opportunity for the current year. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the many individuals who loved Bill, shared his passion for Irish traditional music, and donated to make the scholarship possible this year and into the future.
Find out about other Scholarship winners here.