Mitch Reed

Teaches: Fiddle, acoustic & electric guitar, upright & electric bass, accordion, cello, mandolin and ukulele.

Teaching Philosophy: Have fun and stay inspired

Greatest Music Influences: Kate Bush, Dennis McGee, Michael Doucet, Danny Thompson

When I’m not making music: Hanging with my family, playing RPGs and BBQing

Current Music Projects: Lately, I’ve been attending local Irish sessions and sitting in with Sylvain’s Acadian Aces.

Favorite place in Maine: My home and the beach down the road. My friend Jim’s cabin in Phippsburg

To learn more: www.MitchReedMusicLessons.com YouTube/MitchReedMusicLessons, FB/MitchReedMusicLessons

I was born in Bayou Vista, Louisiana and raised in Lafayette by musicians and storytellers from Mamou. When I was 12 I started playing the cello and at 15 I began playing the fiddle. By 17 I was touring and performing with Dewey Balfa, Marc Savoy and DL Menard. Over the years I have built my repertoire and learned an old style of playing which is evident in my sound today. During my career I have played alongside Louisiana greats such as Canray Fontenot, Wade Frugé, Michael Doucet, Steve Riley, Charles Neville, Zachary Richard and George Porter. In addition I’ve worked with Richard Thompson, Natalie Merchant, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Natalie McMaster, and Kenny Baker to name a few. Since 2008 I have performed on four Grammy Nominated albums.

In 2009 I was awarded a Grammy with BeauSoleil for the album “Live at the 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival”. Of course I’m also a Traditional Music Instructor. Besides offering private lessons, group classes, and online fiddle breakdowns I have taught at Fiddle Camps hosted by Jay Ungar, Mark O’Connor, and Louisiana Folk Roots. In addition I have worked with the Smithsonian Institution Office of Folklife Programs in Louisiana schools and at International conferences since 1989. I recently retired from 11 years on the road as the bass player and second fiddler with BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet. In addition I expanded my music school from Louisiana to Maine with my wife and our family. These changes have afforded me the opportunity to continue passing on the unwritten tradition of Cajun fiddling and storytelling, while exploring the connections between the musical traditions of Acadia and Acadiana.