Ernie Gruner  Teaching & Workshops

                                                                     Call 03 9386 7108 or email Ernie to discuss further....

To find out about live performances use the Gig Guide.

       Teaching

                          - Violin and Fiddle - specialising in klezmer but with over 20 years teaching in folk, jazz, and up to intermediate classical violin. Specialising in adults who are picking up the violin after a long break, and kids and teenagers who want to change or expand from classical violin to folk and world music styles.  Introduction to other styles including celtic (Ernie learnt at Comhaltas initially, then thru Melbourne Irish and folk scenes), old-timey and bluegrass, middle-eastern, balkan, european, jazz, improvisation, learning to read music, learning to learn by ear, improving technique.

Ernie trained classically with VCA and Conservatorium teachers including Nathan Gutman and Christopher Martin & mentored by his paternal grandmother who trained at Vienna Conservatorium and was first woman to play in a professional orchestra in Poland. He led the Monash String Quartet for 10 years, and played in orchestras including Victorian Concert Orchestra, Melbourne Youth Orchestras, and many pit orchestras.

                          - Klezmer - most instruments...learn tunes and style - While at klezmer festivals overseas, I went to workshops for non-violin instruments as well as violin.

eg I may not play the clarinet, but I can point you in a good direction, discussing phrasing and ornaments, use CDs as examples and give reference material. Besides violin, I play mandolin, recorder and blues harp, and while my technique is not great on the latter, I can help as above.

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      Workshops

     - Klezmer workshops - see Ernie Gruner link for more information & heaps of experience

     - Nigun workshops - Introduction to Jewish wordless song

      Based on experience as busy klezmer musician for over 20 years in Melbourne, playing for weddings, sefer torah, barmitzvahs and other occasions. Recently inspired to again teach these simple but powerful songs by being part of nigun sessions at KlezKanada, Montreal 2008.

Nigunnim come from the East European Jewish chassidic tradition. Klezmer musicians often picked their favorite or most popular nigunnim and turned them into tunes. ( Examples on Klezmerits CD )

    - Improvised swimming workshop - this workshop was only run once

  at the Turramurra Folk Music Camp 17 years ago ....it appears not to be popular. (thanks Ethel)