Violin, Fiddle & Mandolin

Kathy Sommer is a violinist, fiddler and mandolinist known for her tasteful and polished style, her versatility, energetic stage presence, and for playing from the heart.

Her violin study and performance began at age seven at the Eastman School of Music under Project Super, the pioneering Suzuki program in the United States. While classical music dominated her early training, Kathy’s artistic horizons expanded over time to study and play a diverse array of genres including folk, swing, bluegrass, jazz, and gypsy jazz, while still maintaining classical performance. 

She has attended numerous fiddle and dance camps, as well as jazz camps led by the Turtle Island String Quartet, latin jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri, and a gypsy jazz camp at Django in June, all of which have contributed to her rich and diverse musical expertise.

For 23 years Kathy co-ran a long-running and popular music camp in New Hampshire called Fiddleheads Acoustic JamCamp, utilizing coaching skills she has acquired from camps she has attended and through years of private violin teaching. She has been both a coach and guest performer at the NYS Old Tyme Fiddlers' Association, Silver Bay bluegrass weekend and at the Pete Wernick bluegrass camp.

Kathy’s violin playing is featured on numerous recordings, notably her triple fiddle band “Fiddlers Three”, singer-songwriter band “The Buskers”, swing band Sweet Red, Hot and Sassy, and on several other artists’ recordings. She is a resident of northern New York, where she performs regionally as a solo folk and classical artist.

Musical Accomplishments

  • Absolutely. I perform solo or with a band, depending on your needs. When playing with a band, we combine our musical expertise for the particular event. As a solo performer, I use my own backing tracks for accompaniment. My repertoire spans various genres and appeals to a wide range of tastes. I can confidently say that there has never been a time when people haven’t complimented and thanked me for providing wonderful music.

  • Absolutely! I perform solo or with others, tailoring the music choices to match the venue’s style. Whether it’s upbeat, calm, romantic, etc I can cater to various genres like Irish, folk, jazz, classical, and more.

  • No, but it's common for me to perform solo because I have supplied myself with backing track accompaniment.  Whether solo or with a band depends on what someone is looking for. If they want piano and violin, I try to provide that. If they prefer a fiddle band, I might bring in "Fiddlers Three." For dances, I could be the fiddler alongside other musicians.

  • My favorite styles to play are swing, fiddle tunes and romantic violin pieces because they fit so well with my personal violin technique and background. That being said, you’ll hear numerous styles in my repertoire.  It’s difficult for me to settle on just one style because there is so much good music out there.

  • I’m happy to travel distance if the conditions and timing are favorable.  Since I live in a rural area it is common for me to travel hours to perform.  I lived in NH for many years and now live in NYS and still continue to travel to New England to rehearse and perform.

  • Yes, I do. I taught violin at my own studio for many years, and now the trend is online. I can also teach in person in my local area.  I was trained as a classical violinist and have widened my playing skills and styles for over 30 years.

  • I do compose, though I am not prolific. I was a member of the band "The Buskers" for 23 years, and we wrote most of our songs. Check out my instrumental tunes “Whatever You Wish” and “Night of the Yellow Moon” here on this website.  I listen intently to background music for movies and am trying to train myself to compose thematically.

  • I’m happily busy and involved outside of music.  I live in a very nice area to enjoy the woods and water so being outdoors and active is second nature to me.  I’m constantly busy with various art projects, practical sewing projects, working with my husband on outdoor maintenance projects, and working on my Asian-themed garden.  I read a lot, do plenty of yoga (and play my violin for sessions as well) and attend concerts and plays.