About me
Elizabeth has been teaching violin in for over a decade and is enjoying helping students of all ages develop their musical skills in classical, fiddle, improvisation, composition, and theory. Elizabeth’s current projects include bluegrass band, The Monroe Sisters, http://themonroesisters.weebly.com/. The Brent and Bibs duo, http://bibsbrent.bandcamp.com/releases and an Old country music band Hanks Hangover. Additionally, she is keeping busy with live shows, weddings, birthday parties, and recording. She has been featured on several CDs, and has taken the stage with many local artists, folk bands, singer-songwriters and jazz musicians, including Tara Porter, Chris Curry, Matt Aston, Joe Hincke, Brent Weatherall, Todd Schnelgrove, Pat Moore, Kate Greenland, and Sherry Philp.
Elizabeth Foster began playing the violin at the age of five. She began her studies through the Royal Conservatory music program completed tests and participated in music festivals throughout her childhood and teenage years. Into her teen years, her interest broadened from classical music to fiddle (mainly Cape Breton, Old-timey and Bluegrass fiddle styles) as well as jazz. When Elizabeth completed high school in Middleton Nova Scotia she chose to attend Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. She completed her Bachelor of Music in violin performance in 2011. For the first two years, Elizabeth studied with Joan Milkson, focusing on classical music. In her third and fourth year, she switched her studies to focus more on her growing passion for jazz and improvisation, studying with Sean Kemp.
In teaching Elizabeth takes into consideration that everybody is coming from a different place and that everybody has their own unique ways in which they learn. One of the things that Elizabeth is happy to be able to offer her students is the opportunity to learn a variety of styles on their instrument.
As well as classical studies Elizabeth teaches traditional fiddle music, bluegrass, jazz and blues. Within the old timey traditional style you will find fiddle players singing and playing at the same time. If this is something that you are interested in, Elizabeth would be happy to help you along your way.
Elizabeth strives for a productive and enjoyable learning environment where her students will get the most out of their experience. Elizabeth encourages the exploration of different styles and encourages her students to learn to read music as well as to learn by ear and improvise. The skill of being able to hear and create your own music can be a lot of fun and a great creative outlet.