Laura Waters Black
Laura is a National and Grand Master fiddle champion from Idaho Falls, Idaho. She began classical violin studies at age six and discovered her passion for fiddle music at age nine. Laura has studied with renowned fiddlers Joe and Jacie Sites, Jesse Maw, and Matthew Hartz. In 2013, at just 17 years old, she earned the National Junior title and later that year became the youngest female ever to win the Grand Master Fiddle Championship in Nashville, Tennessee. Throughout her career, she has consistently placed in the top five at both state and national competitions. Laura has had the honor of performing on legendary stages including the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall. For 3 years, she toured internationally throughout Europe and China as the lead singer and fiddle player for BYU’s Mountain Strings. In addition to performing, she has taught music for over 15 years and is deeply passionate about mentoring the next generation of contest fiddlers. She currently has a thriving private studio of 30 students, teaching classical violin, fiddle, guitar, and voice. Outside of music, Laura’s greatest joys are her two baby girls and her husband, Austin. As a judge, Laura values strong intonation, solid rhythm, and creative expression. She believes confident, passionate playing is more important than perfection.
Cristin Boeck
Cristin is a Nationally Ranked Fiddle Champion and Orchestra teacher at Borah High School in Boise, Idaho. She has been playing fiddle for over 30 years. She grew up playing in the Idaho Junior Jammers and competing in various competitions around the Northwest. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance and a Master’s in Education. Cristin taught music internationally for 10 years in the Cayman Islands and Dubai before settling back in Boise. As a judge, she is looking for clean, rhythmic, playing with interesting and innovative variations. You can win her over with a beautiful waltz!
Rachel Beck
Rachel is an accomplished fiddler, violinist, and vocalist with deep roots in both traditional and classical music. She began playing fiddle at age three and quickly found her voice as a singer, becoming widely known as the soul of her family band, Fiddle Express. Her playing is especially influenced by swing and Twin fiddle.
Rachel is a recognized competitor, earning top honors at state, regional, and national fiddle contests throughout the Western United States. Highlights include being named Fanciest Fiddler at the National Oldtime Fiddle Showcase, multiple first-place finishes at the Western Open, and repeated Idaho state titles in fiddle, twin fiddle, and jukebox categories. She has taught fiddle at the Idaho Suzuki Institute and remains passionate about mentoring young musicians while preserving and celebrating traditional fiddle styles.
In addition to fiddle, Rachel brings a strong classical foundation to her musicianship. She has served as concertmistress in multiple orchestras, including the Boise Philharmonic youth programs and Borah High School Chamber Orchestra, and has performed with the Idaho All-State Orchestra and the All-Northwest Orchestra. She is also an award-winning soloist through MTNA and the National Federation of Music Clubs.
Her latest success has been with her band, Fiddle Express, which has recently signed with Gravy Records of Sound Biscuit Productions. Their music can be heard on all major music platforms.
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