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Music has always been a large part of my life. Even when working with Macintosh computers was my career, my first consulting job was with Geffen Records. There was no getting away from it!

I have played violin since I was nine. Who would have thought I would end up making a living teaching not only violin, but fiddle, mandolin, guitar, ukulele, pennywhistle and bodhrán? It was my father who gave me the most encouragement, and who bought me the violin that I still own and play today. It was school music in California that first taught me how to play. God bless my Dad, and Miss Varé!

I've been in bands since I was in highschool. I have played electric guitar and electric bass. I can also teach viola and get cello players started.

Jean McDermott
PO Box 82002
Fairbanks, Alaska 99708

to email click on the envelope below

Musical Performance & Teaching

A performing musician since 1976. Jean has been involved in music from a young age, singing in church choir, school choir, and playing in orchestras, rock bands, hootenannies, folk bands and Celtic bands.

She has taught private lessons since 1997.

2003- Current Teaches violin, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bodhrán, ukulele, pennywhistle, and other instruments in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Plays in the band the Tanana Highlanders at various folk festivals and other events.

2005 Performed, recorded and contributed music for the score to Klondike Alaska: A Rail History, a PBS documentary.
2003-2004 Taught orchestra, guitar and mandolin at Fairhill Christian School, grades 1 through 12.
1996-2003 Raggle Taggle Gypsies Albuquerque, New Mexico

Performed regularly with this Celtic band as a singer, fiddler, mandolin player, bodhrán player, occasionally a guitar player and a percussionist. Created arrangements for songs.

2002 August Wrote, cast and produced a program for the City of Albuquerque called A Gaelic Journey, which incorporated music, dance, history, and poetry in a program designed to entertain and teach simultaneously. This program was videotaped and is used in the Albuquerque Public Schools as a teaching device, and also runs on the City Cable Channel 16 quite often. A copy of this video tape can be made available if desired.
2000 - 2002 Gypsy Wagon Celtic & More Store
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Owner

Carried a student load of approximately 15 students per week. Also managed and arranged for other music teachers to give lessons in many other instruments, including harp, hammered dulcimer, pennywhistle and others.

Gypsy Wagon was the mainstay of the Celtic community in Albuquerque and New Mexico.

1990-1996 Distant Cousins Albuquerque, New Mexico

Performed regularly with this Celtic and Variety band as a singer, fiddler, mandolin player and percussionist.

1993 - 1995
Sandia Preparatory School
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Substitute teacher in many subjects, including biology, geology, Spanish, German, drama, English, history, grades 2000

Skills Teaches and plays Classical, Irish, American, Cajun, Swedish and Scottish fiddling and other styles

• Plays violin, guitar, viola, bodhrán (Irish drum), mandolin, ukulele, pennywhistle and many percussion instruments.

Good singing voice, sight reads music • Familiar with SATB choir

Works well in multicultural settings

Skilled in English, having written and published both fiction and non-fiction

Has produced concerts and festivals: Albuquerque Celtic Jubilee (2 years), Andy Irvine in concert, assisted with Lúnasa, Susan McKeown & Johnny Cunningham and others.

Patient and talented teacher whether the subject is English, computing, or music

Awards Journalism Award 1973 College Park High School, Pleasant Hill, CA

3 Achievement Letters in Music, 1970, 1971, 1972, College Park High School, Pleasant Hill, CA

Education Graduated 1973, College Park High School, Pleasant Hill, California

Attended University of California at Santa Cruz, University of New Mexico 1973-1999

•Letters of recommendation available upon request•