Young fiddler to perform at Bates

In celebration of the release of her first recording, a young area fiddler will perform in concert at 7 p.m., July 26, in the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall, 75 Russell St. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

A Litchfield resident, 18-year-old Lissa Schneckenburger is a champion fiddler, taking top awards at the Commonground Fair, Maine Festival and East Benton contests. She has played the fiddle from the age of six, much of that time under the tutelage of noted string teacher Greg Boardman of Auburn.

In recent years, Schneckenburger has studied with such national musicians as fiddler Jay Ungar, Scottish fiddler master Alasdaire Fraser and jazz artist Matt Glazer. She will begin classes in the fall as a music performance major at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

Often invited to perform at contradances throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Schneckenburger joined with three musical colleagues last year to form the band Wake the Neighbors. The group, scheduled to appear the Lewiston’s upcoming Festival de Joie, has appeared at Bates, the Norland Living History Center, the Portland New Year’s festivities and the opening of the renovated Merrill Auditorium at Portland City Hall.

Joining Schneckenburger on stage for the July 26 concert will be band members John Cote on guitar and mandolin and Anthony Shostak on banjo. Cote performs on Schneckenburger’s new recording, The Mad Hatter.

The program includes many selections from the new recording, including Irish, Scottish and French Canadian jigs and reels as well as some original tunes. For more information, call 207-782-0386 or 207-268-4013.