Cajun fiddle classes return to LSUE

They came from as far away as Jeanerette and Lake Charles. They ranged in age from 16 to 70.

In the fall of 2013, fiddle students flocked to Louisiana State University at Eunice to take advantage of the brand-new Cajun fiddle program offered by LSUE’s Office of Continuing Education.

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, the program will start up again for the spring 2014 semester.

Returning to teach the classes is Arnaudville fiddler Henry Hample, who performs often at the Liberty Theater in Eunice and Fred’s Lounge in Mamou. Originally from New York, Hample earned a master’s degree in ethnomusicology at Brown University and has taught lessons on a variety of instruments to hundreds of kids and adults. He is also the founding director of the Louisiana Folk Roots Cajun & Creole Summer Camp for Kids in Lafayette.

 Two separate classes, Beginning Cajun Fiddle and Intermediate Cajun Fiddle, will meet at LSUE every Tuesday night from Jan. 21 through April 15.

Beginning Cajun Fiddle will assume no prior experience, while Intermediate Cajun Fiddle will teach a solid repertoire of popular two-steps and waltzes.

The registration fee for either course is $100. Pre-registration is required, and participants must bring their own fiddle.

To register, call (337) 550-1390, or log on to www.lsue.edu/continuing.