Fiddler extraordinaire to speak at historical society

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Community Foundation will sponsor a presentation by Bruce Young entitled “Pennsylvania Mountain Voices” on Saturday, August 22 at 4:30 p.m., in the multi-purpose room of the Wayne County Historical Society at 810 Main Street.

Young, a Pennsylvania Commonwealth speaker, is a folk artist specializing in traditional fiddle and dance styles. His expertise is the result of 14 years of classical training followed by 30 years of folk music performance. He became involved in square dance music in 1974, playing fundraisers for the Penn State Folklore Society. He then played fiddle for Tyrone, PA square dance caller Bob Irvin and his band, the Hilltoppers. After nine years The Hilltoppers broke up and Young became a freelance fiddler/vocalist. In 1986, his trio was hired to perform English Country Dance music at The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. In 1991, he studied calling, or prompting, of Contra and English Country Dances at an Augusta Heritage Week at Davis and Elkins College. That year he began the study of Suzuki violin pedagogy at Ms. Rhonda Cole’s Institute at Catholic University of America to better serve his growing teaching studio. Leaving the Faire in 1995, Mr. Young continues to play for and call at public dances across Pennsylvania with different bands and to teach in his studio, Fiddle Fantastick.

Thanks to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Speaker program and the generosity of the Wayne County Historical Society in providing the venue, the Wayne County Community Foundation is able to present this program free of charge.

Light refreshments will be served. For more information email wccf@ptd.net or call 570/251-9993.