Bobbi Shearn Nikles, Director
A versatile musician with a special interest in Appalachian, Celtic, and jazz fiddle styles, Bobbi currently performs with Wake the Dead, Douce Ambiance, and at contradances. Her warm teaching style, creative approach and infectious love for the fiddle make her a sought-after teacher for students of all ages. Bobbi is a talented and accomplished musician and a shining star of the Bay Area Country Dance circuit. fiddlekids realizes her dream to promote fiddle music by giving children the opportunity to learn in a rich and nurturing environment.

Laura Risk returns to fiddlekids with luscious Quebecois tunes from her new home in Montreal. Her imaginatively expressive interpretations of Scottish, Irish, and Cape Breton fiddle music have garnered her international acclaim, and her love of traditional fiddling has led her on a rich journey into the many genres which she performs with exceptional passion and finesse. Laura records for Dorian Records and has performed with notable names in Celtic and American traditional music.

Julian Smedley returns with his brilliant swing-jazz fiddle and his charming personality. He began his musical career as a choirboy in an English Cathedral. As a violinist he guested on BBC television & radio and was signed to Decca Records and toured Europe with The Bowles Brothers. Once in the U.S., he joined Cornish Institute's jazz orchestra, playing with an array of artists such as Art Lande and Ralph Towner, and has since appeared with Johnny Matthis, Third Ear and Dan Hicks. Currently he plays in the Bay Area with multiple combos including the Hot Clubs of San Francisco and Berkeley, Mike Wollenberg, and Magnetic Poets.

Julie Egger joins fiddlekids with her klezmer fiddling. Since age seven she has played and performed classical, jazz, and liturgical music. Currently performing with The Red Hot Chachkas, & Fogbow Trio, she is also a founder of KlezCalifornia, and received an Artist Grant from Marin Arts Council in 2003.

Evie Ladin grew up with traditional American music and dance, clogging and playing clawhammer banjo at music festivals all over the East Coast. Since touring nationally in Rhythm in Shoes music and dance ensemble, she has located to the Bay Area, where she appears as a versatile dancer, musician, and vocalist with husband Keith Terry & the world music ensemble Crosspulse and the all-gal old-time band The Stairwell Sisters. Evie teaches classes and workshops in percussive dance and banjo nationally, and choreographs for choirs and theatre.

Marlene Friedman Walters joins fiddlekids as our art specialist, where the art will be inspired by the music! With her experience in corporate graphic design, textile design, photography, illustration, and museums, she currently designs and fabricates fine silver jewelry and paints. She enjoys teaching children and communicating her passion for art.