Educated at the Western Conservatory of Music in Ontario, Canada, Mike Mitchell began playing the violin at the age of five.
His passion for music led him to a string performance major at Youngstown State University, and more than 10 years of national touring with rock and acoustic ensembles.
Currently Mike performs with VA and NC bluegrass bands and presents his own hybrid concert called "Classical Grass." He also plays fiddle for WV jam-band, "The Recipe." His critically-acclaimed "13 Hours" was released in 2008 and "Classics on Conners", a CD of classical music played on Conner-made string instruments, was released this past January. His latest, and best-to-date bluegrass recording, "Dead Center" will be out in time for the holidays.
Mike is founder and director of Floyd Music School, teaching violin/fiddle, viola, mandolin and guitar, all styles.
For a current performance schedule, and booking inquiries, call 540.745.6872 or visit: mikemitchellmusic.com and facebook.com/mikemitchellbandpage
Jennifer Brooke began music lessons at the piano at the age of 9 and soon added the flute to her practice schedule. She received an education degree from Point Loma College in San Diego and has been teaching for more than 25 years.
Jennifer enjoys accompanying the string students at the music school, as well as playing for church congregations.
Music instruction includes both piano and flute. Mrs. Brooke also works as the administrator for the school.
David taught guitar at Greensboro College, Winston Salem State University and Appalachian State University before moving to Los Angeles in 1985.
In LA, David worked as a studio musician, performer, teacher, composer and arranger. As a teacher, David taught full time for 25 years at Musicians Institute where he wrote much of the curriculum and also helped to train many of the instructors. He also taught at the University of Southern California Thorton School of Music as an adjunct assistant professor in the Studio Jazz guitar department from 1992 – 2006.
David loves working with students of any age and level. He teaches all styles of finger style guitar from the Atkins/Travis style, country and folk guitar to latin, jazz, flamenco, open tunings, Irish music, as well as Classical guitar. He is also well- versed in and loves to teach other fretted instruments such as the banjo and mandolin.
Since moving to Patrick County in April of 2011, David has played in and around the Floyd area on a regular basic at both Natasha’s Market Café and at The Jacksonville Center for the Arts.
Dave decided in the early nineties that he wanted to breakout on his own and focus on the music of his heart. He wanted to sing tunes that he felt personally drawn to and he wanted to study vibraphone seriously in order to have another musical voice.
Dave has played throughout the tri -state area in many different venues. He has played with small groups in local clubs and restaurants, as well as at the Homestead and Greenbrier. He has performed with the Bluefield State Big Band and been on the road with the Russ Morgan and Frankie Lester and the Don Edwards Orchestras. Dave has also taught privately and been a clinician in local colleges and public schools. With his own group Dave has performed in jazz festivals and jazz concerts in VA and NC. For the past five years he has been a regular artist for the Highlands jazz festival working with Julia Roberts and the Blue Ridge Jazz Ensemble. Most recently he has been a member of the house band and in April of this year will be the m.c. of the festival.
In the past eight years, Dave has been working the winter Florida circuit, playing the concert tours of Hopkins and Miller; as well as jobs with such musicians as Carl McVicker (bassist for Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood), the Uptown Singers (Washington, DC), Kenny Drew, Jr., the Leon Marin big band, as well as the University of South Florida Alumni Jazz Ensemble.
Dave released his debut CD playing drums and vibes as well as singing, thereby incorporating all of his talents. Three D in Blue has been well received being played in cities throughout the country.
Chance has won many blue ribbons throughout the area for his fiddling and banjo playing. He has been featured on half a dozen recordings, including his own debut recording which received much acclaim in reviews from County Records, Bluegrass Unlimited, The Old Time Herald and many other publications.
Chance teaches music on Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele and Dulcimer, delving into the styles of Old Time Mountain Music, Bluegrass, Swing, Blues, Country and Folk. Taking a tune the student wants to learn, Chance uses the tune as a way of teaching the student the important skills necessary to good musicianship and learning an instrument.
Contact Chance McCoy at (540)-285-0078 or email at oldtimefiddle@gmail.com