We were lucky to catch up with Keala Venema recently and have shared our conversation below.

Keala , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I grew up in West Michigan and I am a (mostly) self-taught fiddle player. I grew up playing classical piano since I was 6, but I was really 16 or so when I picked up my current main instrument and life-long passion. Fiddle teachers were hard to come by in my area of living and I instead turned to learning by ear through local opportunities.

I think speeding up the learning process is only determined by how much passion you have and how much inspiration you have access to. I wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t have national level women fiddlers whom I’ve gotten the chance to meet. They keep me reaching higher and striving to play like them. I think even having a smaller scale like having a parent or sibling or persistent friend to keep you motivated to play will be exponential. The only obstacles to learning and growing are yourself and your belief and expectations in yourself! Persistence and patience is key.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a freelancing fiddle player based in West Michigan doing primarily teaching and gigging and the occasional recording session. The wholesome and welcoming community brought me in as a shy teenager, and has kept me going and playing confidently into adulthood. As aformentioned, I currently teach fiddle at a folk music academy. Fiddle is a very specific niche that is rare in the music scene here in Michigan and often overlooked even though it’s such a crucial part of America’s history and sound. Many times, you will easily find a classically violin player that is capable to sound ‘good’ on their instrument but never able to improvise a single note. I believe that we can do better with how we approach music education. I think that many children whether or not they will keep playing professionally will find more meaningful life lessons from their relationship with music once they learn to stray away from the script and start learning how to write their own story. It creates independence and the ability to think on the spot…because we all know life is never predictable!

Learning a new skill (especially violin, as it isn’t too pleasant on the ears in the beginning) as a teenager who was already good at other things equipped me to see from the perspective of a young adult/adult learner as well. It’s easy to compare yourself but I equip all learners with small steps of confidence-boosting goals to set them up for success in the long run.

I also play wedding gigs, fill in for local violin/fiddle players, and play in two different bands. I keep myself challenged and work towards something I would want my students to model as well!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

As a freelancer in the local West Michigan community, I play a lot of gigs and that’s how people find out about me. Gigs and recommendations get passed around by word of mouth and if you show up early, practice well for your performance, and connect and be a personable person… I think that will do a lot for your reputation. People appreciate reliable hires for their gigs and weddings and corporate events. Reliability can look like showing up early in case sound check stretches longer than originally written in the schedule or having extra power cables in your car if your fellow musician is lacking or having swift communication with whoever is interested in hiring you.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I think people underestimate the in-person marketing approach. As much as I love social media, for me an in-person marketing approach makes me feel much more connected with the community around me. My best source of clients is playing gigs and being present with my audience no matter the gig and how much I’m getting paid. You never know who is listening and what needs could be met just because you looked willing and approachable to talk to after you finished your live set!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kealavenema.carrd.co/?fbclid=IwAR3XBQTFG8t9mJzSnc5uolCIVHaFQVpBHYOHiwhnMK9d07XELmE8vs5Jxg8
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kealavenema?fbclid=IwAR1WhljlE8IP5PK8cxweIv6oB3EzHzJblk9cv0eez2MgLA7U2sfYWNVIZgA
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070188200872
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCAkMLkQp2LReqKRGQkYuqQ

Image Credits
Kevin Calderon Loren Johnson