Lydia Conway studied violin classically throughout her youth and went on to earn a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance before fully embracing her path as a fiddler. As a performer she has shared the stage with bluegrass bands and songwriters, as well as gaining a reputation as a studio recording fiddler. As a teacher, she has completed training with Suzuki, Mark O’Connor Fiddle, and String Sprouts methods.
Lydia has built an online following with her fiddle tune videos, posting a tune every day on TikTok for 100 days in 2024. In addition her popular “Waltz Wednesday” YouTube series boasts thousands of views. She is the fiddler for “Release the Squirrels”, a new bluegrass band based in Missoula MT. Lydia is also a frequent duo partner with celebrated singer/songwriter Miller Campbell.
Lydia has diverse experience both teaching and performing, but has a heart for administrative work too. Lydia is the Secretary of the Montana State Old Time Fiddlers Association and previously served as Educational Programming Manager at Omaha Conservatory of Music, both are 501(c)(3) non-profit music organizations. She enjoys working “behind the scenes” to create educational opportunities for students and share the love of fiddling.
Lydia resides in the Mission Valley of Montana with her husband and two children where she enjoys yarn, gardening, chicken keeping and sourdough baking.
Tobi Magruder has been fiddling for 40+ years. She grew up in Pocatello Idaho and started contest fiddling when she was 12 years old. Though Tobi has been experiencing difficult medical realities that limit her playing, she continues to love the music and the community. Dick and Lisa Barrett most influenced her playing as she spent many weeks at their house in Rapelje during her teen years. Among her most notable contest successes, Tobi won the National Adult Championship in Weiser Idaho in both 2008 and 2012. After teaching fiddle lessons for years out of her home, she now works in the IT Department as a Business Analyst at Benefis Hospital. Tobi has judged many fiddle contests including the Montana State Contest, Northwest Regionals, and the National Fiddle Contest. When Tobi judges she looks for a nice groove, intonation, and danceability above difficulty.
Tobi Magruder has been fiddling for 40+ years. She grew up in Pocatello Idaho and started contest fiddling when she was 12 years old. Though Tobi has been experiencing difficult medical realities that limit her playing, she continues to love the music and the community. Dick and Lisa Barrett most influenced her playing as she spent many weeks at their house in Rapelje during her teen years. Among her most notable contest successes, Tobi won the National Adult Championship in Weiser Idaho in both 2008 and 2012. After teaching fiddle lessons for years out of her home, she now works in the IT Department as a Business Analyst at Benefis Hospital. Tobi has judged many fiddle contests including the Montana State Contest, Northwest Regionals, and the National Fiddle Contest. When Tobi judges she looks for a nice groove, intonation, and danceability above difficulty.
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