Margaret Young
Favorite Fiddle Tune: High Drive
Meet Margaret, the chairperson and organizer of the Berks Scottish Fiddle Competition.
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Margaret began classical violin instruction at 3 years old. At about 12, she began dabbling in various styles of traditional fiddle, before falling in love with and focusing on Scottish fiddle at 17. She has competed and taken awards in various competitions (both FIRE sanctioned and not) in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Florida. In 2024, she placed second in the FIRE National Competition in Edinboro, PA.
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While traveling to compete, she noticed there was a void in the Eastern PA area regarding opportunities for fiddlers to qualify for the National competition, so in 2024, she organized the Berks Scottish FIRE Fiddle Competition, co-located and coincident with the Berks Fiddle Festival to maximize attendance. The first year was a resounding success, with thirteen competitors!
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Margaret currently works a day-job at Meadowood Music in Blandon, PA. She teaches violin, fiddle and piano; when she isn't teaching, she can be found in the shop, working on repairing stringed instruments. The fiddle in the photo is what she affectionately refers to as her "Zombie Violin" - a Baroque violin constructed from two modern instruments damaged beyond repair. Her other musical ventures include playing the Hardanger fiddle and viola, as well as dabbling around on Great Highland pipes, smallpipes, uilleann pipes, tenor banjo, mandolin, bodhran, and guitar.
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On weekends, she can often be found working venues whilst wearing her other hat - she has been a falconer for over ten years, and offers professional raptor educational programs for public and private events.
Contact Margaret
Have questions about the Berks Scottish Fiddle Competition? Send me a message!