Lauren and Brittany became close friends in 2005 at the Mark O’Connor Fiddle Camp. They both cut their stringband teeth playing second fiddle in Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings. Brittany spent years performing with Crooked Still, and Lauren with Crow Molly (with Peghead’s own Scott Nygaard and Joe K. Walsh). Following those projects, Lauren and Brittany toured as a duo for three years. Brittany produced Lauren’s debut solo album All the Brighter, and Lauren produced Brittany’s recently released banjo album Impromptu Sessions No. 1. While living halfway across the country from each other, they continue to collaborate on various online teaching projects, and occasionally meet up to teach and perform together at fiddle camps.

Lauren teaches both privately in her home state of Maine and globally with her online string resource site JamwithLauren.com. She is enthusiastically sought out for her teaching expertise, also leading classes and workshops around the world. JamwithLauren.com provides students with access to her innovative curriculum, gorgeous learning materials, inspiring and motivating blog, but most importantly- her inimitable teaching style. Lauren helps musicians (mostly string players) unlock their inner voice and achieve their potential while understanding and appreciating that the work of becoming a musician is honest and rewarding. Lauren believes that everyone has the ability to create a sound they love, experience the joy that their sound produces, and express what they’re unable to articulate with words. As a performer, she has shared the stage with Bruce Molsky, Tim O’Brien, Mike Marshall, Vasen, Laurie Lewis, Natalie Haas, and others at such festivals as Wintergrass, Delfest, Rockygrass, and Celtic Connections. 

Brittany Haas is widely regarded as one of the most influential fiddlers of her generation. She released her debut, self-titled solo album produced by Darol Anger when she was 16. Haas went on to record and perform with Steve Martin, David Rawlings, Punch Brothers, Béla Fleck, Dierks Bentley, Tony Trischka, and many more. She was a member of the house band for the radio show Live From Here hosted by Chris Thile, and spent a year as Artist-in-Residence at East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music program. Americana Music Association’s 2020 Instrumentalist of the Year, she just released Place of Growth, the third album by the instrumental quartet Hawktail, which includes bassist Paul Kowert of Punch Brothers, guitarist Jordan Tice, and mandolinist Dominick Leslie.

• Creative Jam Skills