Rhiannon's Musicianship

Thanks very much for your service. I have researched you and your company [Rhiannon] and you are obviously quite reputable as a musician and business owner!

I am also a performing musician, music teacher and during the day, I work at the local Long and McQuade music store here in London. Nice to have recognition from someone as accomplished as yourself.

If anyone I know needs this type of product, I will be sure to recommend you! Thanks for everything.

I found your website/store while researching online to try and find where I can get my instrument.

There are a few shops in Ottawa, however, your shop has amazing reviews regarding your ability to help individuals match to a perfect instrument, so I decided to reach out.

I used to play in an orchestra when I was younger, and through my teens, however due to economic hardships and family issues I had to give up my instrument. Now after over a decade, I finally am stable enough to get it back. My partner did some research as well, as he wants to get me an instrument for our anniversary this year (11 years!).

I knew when I read your site that you were the perfect person to help me and your email lifted my heart so much! Thank you for taking the time to write me such wonderful and warm response, it's been a long, arduous search and it feels so good to finally have found the person to help me find the perfect piece.

Thank you so much for performing at the TRU Foundation Gala, Rhiannon! You were amazing. We really appreciated your flexibility and ability to stay longer than anticipated. We will certainly keep you in mind for next year.

[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] I have worked with Rhiannon on several projects. Her professionalism and courtesy towards others stood out to me. Being a lifetime musician her heart is clearly in the right place at the right job.

I would highly recommend her as an individual who strives for sucess in many areas.

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] This violin purchase is the biggest purchase I ever have online. Although I have not been to Fiddleheads Violin studio physically, Rhiannon went above and beyond to recommend the best violin and bow for my taste and level according to my experience described to her.

Rhiannon is not alike others who are merely typical violin collectors or sellers. With her expertise and experiences - being a violin teacher for many years and also being actively involved in orchestra; with her professional services and extensive communication throughout the whole process; and with the impressive and extensive feedback from various customers, she gradually gained my trust and made me comfortable and confident for this purchase.

She professionally packaged and shipped the Topa violin to me to the best she can.

The quality of this Topa violin totally goes beyond my expectation and my love with her grows everyday! If you ever consider getting a violin in the future, please check out Fiddleheads first!

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.

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.

The music samples of Rhiannon's playing are great and diverse. I'm a fiddler, and I like her upscale version of Growling Old Man...

Rhiannon is a very talented and hard-working professional.

I have had the priveledge of photographing her both at work and play!

A wonderful person to know and work with.

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.

[Photo] The cover photo of the Lakeshore News, December 22, 2006, features Fiddleheads teacher Rhiannon and student Rachel Bates at their Christmas Recital.

The caption reads, "Telling a story through music: At Fiddleheads Violin School's Christmas recital, Rhiannon [Nachbaur], left, encourages youngest student Rachel Bates to tell her "story" by playing her tiny violin to express different sounds. It was one of the highlights of the evening, as the tiny musician awed the audience with her presence and ability."

Clad in a stunning long red dress complete with funky black boots, Rhiannon hosted the [Fiddleheads Violin Studio Christmas Recital] while entertaining the audience with her wonderful musicianship...

Teaching young children can be a challenge. To relate to them on their level requires a talent that Rhiannon exhibits.

Encouraging youngest student Rachel Bates to tell her “story” by playing her tiny violin to express different sounds was one of the highlights of the evening. The tiny musician awed the audience with her presence and ability...

[Photo: Rhiannon and her teacher, far right, with the Helix High School Orchestra, Fall 1994]

Rhiannon was a student I taught as Orchestra Director 1991-1995. Even years later I am happy to write this as Rhiannon is among the best students I have ever had.

Rhiannon was the concertmistress of the Helix Orchestra for three years, and developed into a very fine player in the years she was here. I am sure with her talent she is a very fine player by now.

Not only a stand-out player, she took over many leadership duties during her stay here.

She organized and conducted a chamber orchestra on her own (which earned a superior rating at the SCSBOA festival)wrote several arrangements that we still use today, and did all these things without prodding from me.

She also played in the Grossmont College Symphony Orchestra starting at age 16 as their youngest member at the time.

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.

I have just begun violin lessons on an old violin which was brought over from Europe in 1927 by my father-in-law when he immigrated to Canada. Seeing this neglected instrument not being played, I then decided that I would like to learn to play it.

Then I made inquiries about who would teach this 79-year-old woman. I contacted Rhiannon at Fiddleheads Violin School and fortunately she had one lessons opening, so I took it.

Being a beginner I was given instructions on the necessary repairs before starting lessons. She saw that my violin was repaired and set up for me. The violin was returned the next week and she called me so we could commence lessons.

She taught me the proper way to hold the violin and bow. This is quite the challenge and I know I'll be at it for quite some time before I am able to make beautiful music on this antique.

Rhiannon has a lot of patience and is very thorough. She brings out the best in a person. The first lesson I had I felt comfortable and found her to be a unique person. When she does a solo concert she encourages her students to attend. This is in itself a chance to be present at the entertainment for that evening.

This young lady is a great asset to this community and area. She has given to her community many volunteering hours by playing at many functions and having her pupils entertain the Salmon Arm folks with her.

Rhiannon is certainly deserving of the prestigious awards she is earning and I am cheering for her.

I first became aware of Rhiannon Nachbaur through many of the media sources in Salmon Arm that continually listed and advertised her “Fiddleheads Violin School” in a variety of performing events throughout the community, such as recitals, concerts and performances.

Through Fiddleheads Violin School, Rhiannon provides musical training to a vast number and wide range of ages of students and adults. Many of these students are working in ensembles under my direction and I can sense the genuine respect and admiration that these students have for Rhiannon. She is totally dedicated to the art of music performance through the violin.

With Rhiannon’s help Salmon Arm now has a String Orchestra that is part School District 83 and part community in it’s nature and has provided a new and unique opportunity for students as young as 10 years old to adults 70 years old to make music together in rehearsals and performances.

As conductor of the School District 83/Community Orchestra, I rely on Rhiannon for her expertise and advice on string playing. She has arranged music for the orchestra to play as well as organizing Clinics and Master classes for all members.

I hope that she will continue to enrich our students, adults and community at large with her enthusiasm, creativeness and dedication.