Keala Venema
Fiddle player, educator, and multi-instrumentalist based out of West Michigan
Music
Bio
West Michigan based Keala Venema (Irish, bluegrass, and jazz fiddler/guitarist/singer and teacher) has been raising eyebrows within the local music community for years with her fiery hot fiddling skill both as a freelancer and teacher. She has played at a large variety of venues which include Michigan Irish Festival, Hoxeyville, Fredrick Meijer Gardens, Bells Eccentric Cafe and more and has sat in with bands such as Kait Rose, Mark Lavengood, Elijah Russ, Barley Saints.Originally trained in classical piano, Keala discovered the violin in 2017 and entered every Irish or Bluegrass jam she could find. Her musical experience deepened with the privilege to jam with dozens of regional and nationally renowned artists such as Gaelic Storm, Darol Anger, Grant Gordy, Doolin, Talisk, and Grammy award winner Jeremy Kittel. She is in the band Whorled (World Folk Trio, Nominated for Artist of the Year WYCE Jammies 2023) and Pocket Watch (Jazz Fusion 6 piece) and she has been instructed by Dan Seabolt and Grant Flick of Full Cord (2022 National Telluride Bluegrass Competition Winner) .A graduate of Michigan Academy of Folk Music, Keala has been intern teaching private and group lessons since Fall 2021 and has been instructed by Nate Roberts. She has taught private fiddle lessons since 2019 and finds a passion to carry on the tradition of folk music to younger students. She aims to bring her knowledge of alternate fiddle styles to local orchestras and is teaching a summer camp about Celtic fiddling at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in 2023.
Contact
Feel free to reach out with any questions or contact for booking private parties, weddings, festivals, or private lessons by text at 616-204-5885 or by email at [email protected]If interested in Keala's art, follow the link to her portfolio here
Lessons
Violin lessons focusing on fiddle style and alternative styles such as bluegrass, celtic, and gypsy jazz are available for $40 per 50 min or $30 per 25 mins