Fiddle Pie Award

The Fiddle Pie Award began in 2016 as a way to recognize and honor someone in our community for their significant contribution to continuing the tradition of old time music and dance.  

Fiddle Pie Award Winners are recognized for making a significant contribution to the continuation of old time music and/or square dancing or flatfoot dancing by meeting at least three of the following criteria:
  • Is a dancer, caller, or player of traditional old time music that inspires others to participate
  • Teaches others to play traditional old time music
  • Teaches others to square dance, flatfoot, or to call dances
  • Organizes community events that help further traditional old time music or dance
  • Volunteers in the community in ways that significantly further traditional old time music or dance
  • Significantly involved in the Oly Old Time Festival

2023 Fiddle Pie Recipient
​LISA ORNSTEIN

In 2023 we were honored to present the Fiddle Pie Award to Lisa Ornstein, a fiddle virtuoso who is an outstanding interpreter of the traditional music of French Canada and Appalachia, blending compelling and inventive playing with impeccable tune choice. Befriended by North Carolina fiddle legend Tommy Jarrell while she was in her teens, Lisa quickly became an accomplished fiddler in the Round Peak style. A musical friendship with Franco-American fiddler Louis Beaudoin set her on a path to Quebec in 1978. When La Bottine Souriante — Quebec’s internationally renowned traditional supergroup — invited her to join the band, Lisa’s projected six-month stay began to stretch, eventually lasting twelve years. Lisa has taught, concertized, and toured extensively in North America and Europe with some of Quebec’s finest musicians, and recorded for both Smithsonian Folkways and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

We are fortunate to have Lisa here in the Pacific Northwest and so involved in our Oly Old Time Community. Lisa has infused our whole community with her knowledge, love of music and community, and generosity, and has helped to shape our entire Oly Old Time community. 

2020 Fiddle Pie Recipients
​THE OLY OLD TIME KIDS
​

In 2020 the Fiddle Pie Award was a group award, given to a cohort of young people who are not only old time music enthusiasts and musicians, but have also taken on leadership roles with the festival.  They were selected in recognition of their dedication to the festival, as demonstrated by having taken on significant volunteer roles and/or contributing to the program by leading workshops.  Thank you Oly Old Time Kids for your energy and enthusiasm and for helping to inspire yet another generation of old time music and dance participants.

Award Recipients: Hatcher Cox, Rizley Cox, Annie Davis, Ellie Davis, Eros Faulk, Dante Faulk, Maggie Neatherlin, Ruby Neatherlin, Sophia Olhson-Kiehn, Nicholas Ohlson-Kiehn, Mateo Plimpton, River Scheuerell, Sage Scheuerell

2019 Fiddle Pie Recipient
JESSE PARTRIDGE

We were excited to award the 2019 Fiddle Pie Award to Jesse Partridge! Jesse is central to the Olympia Old Time community and helps to inspire new generations of musicians to take up fiddling and traditional music. Jesse is an amazing fiddler, caller, and multi-instrumentalist who always welcomes in those around him. His leadership in the Olympia All Volunteer String Band, his provision of individual music lessons, and his role in local kid jams are all ways that he fosters the next generation, and nurtures an appreciation of playing music with others.  Jesse also played a critical role in the festival's early years and held down the crucial role of Volunteer Coordinator for several years.  Often found in hallway jams at one festival or another, Jesse is known for his driving fiddle tunes and infectious smile.  

2018 Fiddle Pie Recipient
CHARMAINE SLAVEN

Charmaine Slaven, was the recipient of the 2018 Fiddle Pie Award! The award recognizes important tradition bearers in our community. Charmaine is a dedicated event organizer, musician, dancer, caller, and mentor to so many of us. She was busy growing the next generation of flat footers so she was unable to accept the award in person at the festival. But lots of love went out to Charmaine during the entire event!!!

2017 Fiddle Pie Recipient
JOHN FLORY

The 2017 Fiddle Pie Award went to John Flory! John is a stalwart supporter and nurturer of the old time music community.  John has always been incredibly generous and committed to the Olympia Old Time Community, and has been instrumental in helping the Oly Old Time Festival be successful.  You're always welcome at his camp for a jam or a sip of medicinal spirits.  He’s a master craftsman who builds beautiful and sought-after banjos.  His tune learning sessions have introduced scores of people to new repertoire and his corn feed has become an important annual tradition for many of us.  He's always ready to lend a hand, without fail, and steps in wherever needed.  His love of community is palpable and contagious.  He has a heart of gold, and "Olyville" would not be the same without him. Thanks for all you do John!

2016 Fiddle Pie Recipient
ANTHEA LAWRENCE
The Oly Old Time Festival is thrilled to present the first annual Fiddle Pie Award to local fiddler and music teacher, Anthea Lawrence.  Anthea has a huge role in sustaining and growing our beautiful, energetic, and inspiring music community.   She’s taught scores of adults as well as kids (multiple generations!) and has given much of her time and energy to creating opportunities for jamming, recitals, as well as participation in workshops and special events like the "All Volunteer Stringband".   Her influence has led people to participate in The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Wintergrass, Valley of the Moon, the Whidbey Island workshop, and many other life-changing experiences.  She's helped produce CDs, provides performance feedback and sits in with bands when that kind of support is needed.  She is a truly unique teacher:  one who can meet any student where they are, and inspire them to reach further.  Whether teaching a simple melody to a beginner, to exploring the world of harmonies and adventurous improvisation, (all the while infusing her lessons with solid music theory) Anthea brings a special knack for building relationships between her students, the music, and herself.  It's a beautiful thing!  We are grateful to Anthea for being an inspirational and skilled tradition bearer in our community!