LEWISTON – Lissa Schneckenburger, a rising young traditional fiddler and Maine native, will return home to perform at Olin Arts Center at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24.

The concert will feature new arrangements of traditional and original fiddle tunes, as well as songs from her forthcoming solo CD to be released in early 2005.

Schneckenburger grew up in Maine as an active member of the contradance community, where she was playing music at a young age. She’s continued to explore music throughout her life, leading to her graduation three years ago from The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

Called an “exhilarating young traditional performer” by the folk-music magazine Dirty Linen, Schneckenburger has performed in Russia, Western Europe and Canada, as well as across the United States.

She has opened for master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, singer Judy Collins and songwriter Richard Thompson. Her recordings include two solo titles, “Different Game” in 2001 and “The Mad Hatter” in 1997, as well as recent CDs with the bands Halali, Phantom Power and Spin.

As a child in Litchfield, she picked up the fiddle at age 6 and was quickly recognized as a prodigy.

Her teachers included Greg Boardman, a member of the Bates College music faculty and a pillar of Maine’s folk music community who brought his young protégé into the state’s thriving contradance scene.

She went on to become a champion fiddler, taking top awards at contests across New England. She also has studied with such top fiddlers as Fraser, Jay Ungar and jazz artist Matt Glazer.

“It’s been exciting to observe her progress as a performer over the years,” says Boardman, “as her facility, experience and ardor continue to expand.”

“The bulk of the music I play could be described as New England fiddle style,” says Schneckenburger. “But I’ve been influenced by plenty of other traditional music along the way – French Canadian, Scottish, Irish, Cape Breton, old-time and klezmer. I’ve used those influences to create a style that is all my own.”

Schneckenburger, who typically divides her sets evenly between fiddle tunes and folk songs will be accompanied by guitarist Matt Heaton and double-bassist Corey DiMario.

Olin Arts Center is at 75 Russell St., on the Bates College campus. Tickets are $8 at the door; $5 in advance. For reservations or more information, call (207) 268-4013 or visit www.lissafiddle.com.

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