Our Community Support

I find your business fascinating

I was at the Business Excellence Awards on June 1st that our firm, Pushor Mitchell LLP, had the pleasure of sponsoring.

I wanted to reach out to you and congratulate you on your nomination for the Green & Sustainability Award: you should be pleased with the efficient work you have accomplished!

On a personal note, I find your business fascinating. I am on the Board at Opera Kelowna, and I admire the work you are doing within our region.

Once again, I wanted to pass on our congratulations from everyone here at Pushor Mitchell LLP to you on your nomination. We hope to see you next year.

June 20, 2023

Hand-picked instruments here are superior to 'mass marketed' junk at other shops

I am so glad that your business, Fiddleheads, is thriving. I have followed it for years.

You demonstrate such wonderful ethics and values.

I am embarrassed that I haven't written sooner about my appreciation… of your great work encouraging string playing.

I was a double-bass player for many decades and know the value of quality string instruments. (Your article on Blair Borden touched me deeply.)

Your hand-picked instruments are obviously so much better than the 'mass marketed' junk found all over the internet.

December 24, 2021

Christmas gift for our family

I placed an order for a fiddle for my daughter (21 years old)... we are looking forward to Christmas morning as it is a gift.

Thanks for your help last winter, I am really enjoying learning to play & lessons are often the highlight of my week :)

Violin wise, I am working the the 1st Suzuki book, as well as French folk song, rosin the bow, a bunch in the learn to fiddle book, edelweiss & now a few Christmas tunes... so much to learn yet, but I am happy with my progress :)

So excited to gift my daughter this instrument! I have twin girls - the other is getting a guitar. Need to keep doing joyful things in these strange [Covid] times.

All the best, your new website is lovely.

November 25, 2021

The whole transaction was perfect

Thank you very much for your advice and for your help with my order. I [feel] happiness and excitement about the new shoulder rest and the Strad Pad. I haven't had much of an opportunity to play and to get them set up 100% (returning to work from a vacation.....trying to catch up) but so far, it has been a good change.

I used the long retaining claw and that helped, and I could still feel my violin resonate which was great!

I appreciate your help and time, and I'll share your business cards with the members of our group.

What you do makes a positive difference in your customers' lives. Thank you so much and congratulations!! Your awards are excellent!

(The quartet that I'm a member of plays Baroque music and I noticed you sell Baroque bows. I may be in touch about one.)

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] Rhiannon was very helpful with setting me up with the right accessories for improved comfort with my violin and her expertise is greatly appreciated!

She quickly replied to questions and the whole transaction was perfect!

August 25, 2021

Rhiannon's contributions

Thank you for your contributions to the wellbeing of violinist and teachers.

July 15, 2021

Venture Kamloops supports the Fiddleheads' relocation

Venture Kamloops has been working with Rhiannon, owner of Fiddleheads, since May of this year and supports her intentions of bringing her business to Kamloops. To this point I have assisted Rhiannon in Fiddleheads' Business Relocation plan. The plan outlines numerous facets of the business' past successes and limitations, future projects, goals and benefits of relocating the business.

Fiddleheads' comprehensive relocation plan outlines past sales analysis and quarterly comparisons, sales projections based on remaining in the current location versus relocating to Kamloops. The projections speak for themselves and strongly support the move to Kamloops. Rhiannon has put an impressive amount of time and energy into her relocation plan and her efforts are commended by Venture Kamloops.

The relocation will help Fiddleheads access and invest in necessary resources to ensure the sustainability and growth of the business. This includes programs offered by local organizations such as Venture Kamloops and Kamloops Innovation. Rhiannon has emphasized the sustainability of moving her business to Kamloops as it will meet the best needs of everyone involved, including her family.

Venture Kamloops supports Fiddleheads' relocation as it will help grow an already successful business and further support the economic development of our city and region. We have discussed future projects and ideas for Fiddleheads' expansion, but moving forward Venture Kamloops can only provide this and ongoing free service to Fiddleheads if it operates from Kamloops.

I have seen the tremendous effort Rhiannon has put into ensuring this move is for the best.

August 23, 2015

Moving to Kamloops is beneficial for Fiddleheads and Rhiannon

I have known Rhiannon Nachbaur since 2009 when I was engaged to provide accounting services to Fiddleheads Violin School ("Fiddleheads").

Fiddleheads is a thriving and expanding business that will benefit from moving to a larger centre (Kamloops) where Fiddleheads can draw upon a larger population base to provide violin lessons and sales.

A Kamloops would also allow for decreased shipping costs and easier access to an airport for international travel that is key to Fiddleheads operations. Also, relocating will provided access to violin repair services and a business arrangement with such a service has already been established in Kamloops.

Rhiannon is an established member of two orchestras (Kamloops Symphony and Brandenburg Orchestra)in Kamloops with options to play in other groups and study to further her career as an orchestral musician. Maintaining her orchestration skills is a key element to Fiddleheads success in current operations and future growth.

Rhiannon is writing a business relocation plan with the assistance of Venture Kamloops to ensure a smooth transition in relocating Fiddleheads. Having Fiddleheads relocated to Kamloops will give local violin students an opportunity to learn from an accomplished musician and to purchase top quality instruments.

My professional opinion as an accountant for many years is that relocating to Kamloops will result in the continual growth and viability of Fiddleheads which supports Rhiannon and her two children.

June 15, 2015

In support of Rhiannon's achievements and future goals

I had the pleasure of meeting Rhiannon Nachbaur more than twelve years ago while serving as Okanagan University College Regional Dean for the Shuswap-Revelstoke Region.

The University College was exploring the possibility of the creation of a music program at the Salmon Arm Campus and I sought Rhiannon's opinion as I knew that she was a very talented musician with a great involvement in the artistic community. In addition to our consultations, Rhiannon has delivered courses through our Continuing Studies Department.

From a career perspective, Rhiannon has demonstrated a great deal of creativity, perseverance, and fortitude while seeking ways in which to support her family in this small town setting. I admire and applaud her endeavors and success.

It is no easy feat to establish a non-profit violin society, host countless concerts and educational experiences, fundraise for music, win multiple young entrepreneur and business awards, and build a successful online violin shop within the constraints imposed by a small rural community with a population of 17,000. All of this was accomplished while working from home and caring for her two children.

Rhiannon's efforts have continued in Salmon Arm over a sixteen year period. However, the limitations placed on her career as a highly skilled violinist have been significant. The opportunity for growth and development of her expertise has required her to seek options further afield than Salmon Arm. Rhiannon plays with two orchestras: in the Kamloops Symphony, one as a section leader; she has also been invited to join others upon relocation to Kamloops.

Rhiannon's talents have been recognized and she has established a reputation as a talented musician in Kamloops. Further opportunities are bound to emerge. In all instances, being away from home to pursue existing and emerging opportunities for income generation in the world of music causes stress due to the demands of travel and the complexities of child minding arrangements.

A move to Kamloops facilitates Rhiannon's career development, employment opportunities and income generation.

In summary, I support Rhiannon's desire to relocate to a larger centre such as Kamloops. For the reasons cited in this letter, such a move would be beneficial for her sons, their needs and aspirations, and for Rhiannon, who wishes to provide her children with a happy home life and a rewarding future. A relocation would definitely increase and enhance the opportunities available for the entire family.

June 12, 2015

A benefit to Kamloops' musical community

I'm writing in support of Rhiannon's plan to move to the city of Kamloops.

I have been the Music Director/Conductor of the Kamloops Symphony for twenty-five years and first met Rhiannon during the 1999/2000 season when she joined us as a member of the violin section. Unfortunately she couldn't continue at that time, due to the birth of a child but she returned to us in 2011 and, for the most part, has been playing in the orchestra ever since.

Rhiannon is an asset to the orchestra on many fronts. She is, of course, a committed member of the violin section, she loves the music we perform and the act of performing it, and brings a positive, social personality to every rehearsal and performance as well as on social media.

Rhiannon's participation in the orchestra while residing in Salmon Arm [population 15,000] does come with sacrifices. These would certainly be mitigated by establishing residency in Kamloops. The 1.5 hour commute each way, the cost of fuel, and concerns and stress related to the length of time away from her children in order to participate would no longer be a factor.

Rhiannon has recently been asked to play with other organizations in Kamloops so being more available would create more opportunities of a similar nature. If her long-term goal is to become an established orchestral musician then living where such opportunities exist would facilitate that program. There are always teaching situations in a city with a musical infrastructure as well as a need for instruments which I understand Rhiannon imports and sells.

Salmon Arm has none of the musical organizations that Rhiannon requires to further her musical development while Kamloops has so many. Kamloops is also a city with all the amenities to provide a wonderful environment for young children to develop and grow.

I think Rhiannon's plan to relocate to Kamloops is beneficial to her musical growth and to the music community in Kamloops as a whole.

I'm writing in support of Rhiannon's plan to move to the city of Kamloops.

I have been the Music Director/Conductor of the Kamloops Symphony for twenty-five years and first met Rhiannon during the 1999/2000 season when she joined us as a member of the violin section. Unfortunately she couldn't continue at that time, due to the birth of a child but she returned to us in 2011 and, for the most part, has been playing in the orchestra ever since.

Rhiannon is an asset to the orchestra on many fronts. She is, of course, a committed member of the violin section, she loves the music we perform and the act of performing it, and brings a positive, social personality to every rehearsal and performance as well as on social media.

Rhiannon's participation in the orchestra while residing in Salmon Arm [population 15,000] does come with sacrifices. These would certainly be mitigated by establishing residency in Kamloops. The 1.5 hour commute each way, the cost of fuel, and concerns and stress related to the length of time away from her children in order to participate would no longer be a factor.

Rhiannon has recently been asked to play with other organizations in Kamloops so being more available would create more opportunities of a similar nature. If her long-term goal is to become an established orchestral musician then living where such opportunities exist would facilitate that program. There are always teaching situations in a city with a musical infrastructure as well as a need for instruments which I understand Rhiannon imports and sells.

Salmon Arm has none of the musical organizations that Rhiannon requires to further her musical development while Kamloops has so many. Kamloops is also a city with all the amenities to provide a wonderful environment for young children to develop and grow.

I think Rhiannon's plan to relocate to Kamloops is beneficial to her musical growth and to the music community in Kamloops as a whole.

May 12, 2015

Rhiannon's talents and business are coming to Kamloops

I am delighted Rhiannon Nachbaur is moving to Kamloops to pursue her musical goals and to provide a richer life for herself and her children.

I met Rhiannon in Salmon Arm in 1999 when she moved from Nelson, BC. I was impressed by her warm musical personality and her entrepreneurial spirit. A dynamic and energetic self-taught musician, she quickly became involved in the same artistic endeavours as I.

During my time in Salmon Arm I served many years as President of the Shuswap District Arts Council, Chair of the Performing Arts Committee on the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and BC Choral Federation boards, etc. In a few short years Rhiannon established her successful violin school, served on music and education societies, founded the Shuswap Violin Society, hosted concerts and violin/fiddle workshops, and, working within the limitations of a small town, started her violin shop.

Rhiannon had indicated a strong desire to move to Kamloops to further her performance career since returning to the Kamloops Symphony in 2011. (She had played with the symphony from 1999-2000 but had to quit upon starting a family). I completely understand this need for change as, in 2007, I moved to Kamloops to seek a renewed career and fresh challenges and opportunities as provided by the larger centre. My move was transformative and I'm currently a board member and musician with groups promoting high-level musicianship.

Kamloops is obviously a much richer and more varied city than Salmon Arm, boasting a university campus, the professional symphony orchestra in which Rhiannon plays, a theatre company, large modern art gallery and library, as well as excellent sports and recreational facilities, and a top-performing school system including French immersion and an arts school.

I found it very stimulating and refreshing to experience such a multi-cultural environment, and I feel Rhiannon and her young family will enjoy it too. Musically-speaking, Rhiannon is already established here as a season member of the Kamloops Symphony and as a Section Leader of the Kamloops Brandenburg Orchestra since 2012 [update, she became Concertmaster in 2016]. Opportunities for her to play with other groups such as the Thompson Valley Orchestra [update, Rhiannon became their concertmaster in 2017] and the Chamber Musicians of Kamloops will arise.

Her violin shop will surely flourish here, creating another essential service to violin students, of which there are many here and potential for many more new players with another teacher in town. This will surely improve her ability to provide for her family financially. I am sure she will find other ways to utilize her deep talent, experience, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit in this broader and richer artistic environment.

Living in Kamloops will also allow her less time away from the children and home responsibilities on weekends, elimination of much winter driving, and the ability to make an income and teach lessons between rehearsals on extended symphony weekend stints, whereas currently she cannot ship orders or teach students during symphony weekends.

I'm glad to have been able to offer my wholehearted support of and confidence in Rhiannon's career and life choices. I'm sure that, in the end, this decision will result in a positive and happy future for Rhiannon and her young family.

April 29, 2015

Rhiannon's work changes people's lives

I'd like to congratulate you for the wonderful work you've been doing over the years.

It's a pleasure to see such dedicated and competent musician, whose work changes people's lives.

April 1, 2011

Such generosity with the beautiful violin package

I am writing to express our gratitude for the support Rhiannon has shown for the Annual Roots and Blues Festival and our yearly concert series.

Her donation to our 2007 Silent Auction Fundraiser was extremely generous – we cannot thank her enough for the violin package she contributed and for taking the time to come down (pregnant) to the Auction to demonstrate the exceptional tone and quality of the instrument.

I would also like to acknowledge Rhiannon's contributions in working with us during our yearly concert series both as an artist, and for sharing the progress of her students with our audiences. Each performance has complemented our presentations greatly and added a first rate representation of the talent found right here in our own region.

We consider ourselves very fortunate to have such a strong relationship between our Society and Fiddleheads.

It is with great pleasure that I look forward to maintaining this relationship for many years to come.

March 13, 2008

Fiddleheads proves that the world is still full of music

I was hired to set up "New Horizons" for a seniors program in our small charter community of Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories, Canada.

Our program mandate for 2007 was to bridge the growing age gap between Native elders and the youth. We decided to purchase some fiddles and some of the elders would teach the childen to fiddle.

I was in charge of the puchasing and did not know a thing about fiddles so I did some net surfing to find a dealer close to home and found Fiddleheads.ca.

What caught my attention was [Fiddleheads'] commitment to commitment to going green as I am always for saving the planet. I got in touch with Rhiannon and over a few phone conversations found her to be very helpful in helping me with the purchases and sizing of the fiddles. What a relief that was for me as I did not have an idea what to look for.

An order was made for eight fiddles to start up our fiddle classes. A few days later Rhiannon phoned and said "one of the violins will be FREE." I was so surprized . "Is this for real," I thought to myself, "Do companies really give away free merchandise to help community projects?"

Fiddleheads proved to me that that the world is still full of music - you just have to look for it.

The shipping and handling was taken care of and the fiddles arrived safe and sound. We are now in the process of hiring a professional to come in and teach music lessons to the young and elderly once a week.

Thanks to Rhiannon we are now in the process of bridging the gap between young and old. Thanks once again!

December 19, 2007

Pinchas Zukerman praises violin society as "Important in nurturing the next generation"

Music education is an integral component of a young person's development.

The work that the Shuswap Violin Society does is so important in nurturing the next generation of fiddle players in Canada.

Keep up the great work!

- Pinchas Zukerman, Concert Violinist/Violist

[Background: Rhiannon created and founded the Shuswap Violin Society, a successful non-profit group that promoted violin and fiddle music in her former small town]

October 10, 2006

A musician and entrepreneur who stands out above the rest

As the publisher of a weekly newspaper in Nelson, BC, I meet many professional musicians, many of whom make frequent requests to promote their concerts, lessons, and other business activities in my paper. Rhiannon Nachbaur stands out in my mind as truly dedicated to her community and one of the most persistent and hard-working musicians I’ve met in my time as owner of this paper.

I first met Rhiannon when she was preparing for her end-of year recital at the music college in 1997. She hand-delivered me her promotion package and press release for the event and spent weeks distributing posters and invitations around town.

She was the only student in her class who had taken such initiative to promote her recital and her efforts paid off. Hers was the best-attended concert of the year, due to her work in the classroom, on the stage and around town.

The Selkirk Music Program promises to produce "professional musicians" and was right on the mark with Rhiannon. The life of a professional musician is not an easy one, as work is inconstant and limited and there are always people who doubt the viability of such a profession. Thankfully Rhiannon didn't allow this negative reputation to keep her from making music her career. She was driven even more so to do well at it.

Rhiannon is a professional musician of the highest calibre. As a businesswoman she is creative, hard working, and enterprising.

I watched this young entrepreneur as she played almost weekly at the Farmer's Marketplace and at monthly Art Walk openings. It didn't matter that it was raining or that there was an audience of three people- she would just play under cover and continue to serenade her listeners with all her heart. This exposure led to many other performances, which there are too many to name.

It seemed wherever I went I saw either one of her posters or Rhiannon herself, playing. Anything from a Shakespeare play to a jazz group in the café, she was a busy working musician.

I have always admired Rhiannon for the effort she put into the music community through her performing, where she devoted countless hours playing for charity and fundraiser events.

She did it because she loved classical music and was excited to share that love with the community. This is just one example among Rhiannon's countless admirable community service contributions.

One of the greatest effects Rhiannon had on this community was that of her influence on her students and other young musicians in town. Even now I hear from musicians of all ages who studied violin with Rhiannon during her time here. They were all deeply influenced by her spirit, energy and effectiveness to motivate and were very sad when she moved away.

Nelson has yet to fill the gap that Rhiannon left nearly five years ago when she moved to a larger centre for music.

Rhiannon is an innovative self-starter, who motivates and inspires those around her.

April 11, 2004