Meet the instructors!
Taija Warbelow began studying violin, viola, and chamber music in Fairbanks, Alaska under the guidance of Dr. Gail Johansen and Dr. Kathleen Butler-Hopkins. She eventually went on to study with Toby Appel at the Juilliard Pre-College, and Jodi Levitz at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her chamber music education includes intensive workshops with Brentano String Quartet, Emerson String Quartet, St. Lawrence String Quartet, and Kronos Quartet.
In her final year at SFCM, Taija auditioned for and won a place in the Friction Quartet. In her 5 years with Friction, they performed twice at Carnegie Hall, worked with numerous composers including Andy Akiho and Nicole Lizée, performed and recorded internationally, and developed an educational curriculum with the San Francisco Symphony that was presented in all San Francisco School District elementary schools.
After leaving Friction Quartet, Taija obtained a certificate in Backend Computer Programing and performed as fiddler in the acclaimed Broadway show “Come From Away” both in NYC and on the First National Tour.
Fiona Stowell is a 20-year-old fiddler from Montpelier, Vermont, now based in Boston, where she is continuing her musical education at Berklee College of Music. She picked up the fiddle at age four and hasn’t really put it down since. While she has a deep love for Old Time, Cape Breton, and New England fiddle styles, she enjoys exploring a wide range of musical traditions. Fiona is also a singer and Celtic dancer.
A central influence in Fiona’s musical life was her seven-year mentorship with Pete Sutherland. Fiona is committed to being a tradition bearer - sharing not just tunes, but their stories, roots, and the musicians who shaped them.
Fiona has performed widely across New England and beyond. She has sung with Village Harmony and Northern Harmony, and was a core member of Young Tradition Vermont from 2019 to 2024, touring everywhere from New York City to Cape Breton and Quebec, taking on leadership roles as YTV Youth Commission Leader in 2023 and Touring Group Youth Artist Leader in 2024. Her band, Sap Line, will tour Vermont in June and Boston in September. And her duo Fiona & Emmett will be popping up at libraries, weddings, and contradances all summer long.
A Trad/Classical Summer Camp for String Players
Explore two musical worlds through collaborative music-making, skill-building, and ensembles with classical and traditional teachers. Explore the culture behind the music, and grow as confident, curious musicians.
For newer to intermediate string players ages: 8 - 14
(Not ideal for true beginners - reach out and we’ll point you to great options!)
Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monteverdi Music School, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT
$395 ($50 deposit at registration), includes snacks & concerts
We take equal access seriously. Please reach out for scholarships: info@summit-school.org
Monteverdi Music School • Summit School • Green Mountain Youth Symphony
STRINGS WEEK
June 29th - July 3rd, 2026
Downtown Montpelier VT