The Gilbert Town Fiddlers was established in Fall 2012 by Taylor Morris, Sara Duce, & Martha Hughes (Emeritus).
Taylor Morris // Founding Co-Director
Hailed by a class of 2nd graders as “wreely nice and kind” and “the coolest man on erth,” Arizona native TAYLOR MORRIS enjoys blurring the line between violin and fiddle. After studying classical violin at Arizona State University with Dr. Katie McLin, he spent four years touring the world as one of five fiddlers with “Barrage,” a Canadian-based, world-music violin troupe. His travels, both with Barrage and personally, have led to performances in 48 states and 13 countries with musicians from a multitude of backgrounds. Strongly believing we can learn more about the world through collaboration with others, Taylor actively pursues musical projects in different genres. Currently, he is part of Tricia & Taylor, a genre-bending violin/fiddle duo with concert violinist Tricia Park, and a member of The Sound Accord, a string sextet that creates vibrant arrangements of folk music.
Offstage, Taylor obtained a master's in education from Harvard University and is a passionate advocate for arts education. Since 2000, Taylor's teaching has taken him into classrooms around the country, with activities ranging from creating music-inspired art with kindergarteners to leading workshops colleges and national conferences (e.g., ASTA, NAfME, Midwest). Outside of his year-round work with the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, he is a committed private teacher with a dynamic studio of young violinist and fiddlers. Additionally, he serves as a Guest Lecturer at Arizona State University, runs a summer camp for young musicians called StringPlay, and regularly works with students and educators around the country to explore the incredible variety of ways to make music with string instruments.
To learn more about Taylor, visit his website.
Offstage, Taylor obtained a master's in education from Harvard University and is a passionate advocate for arts education. Since 2000, Taylor's teaching has taken him into classrooms around the country, with activities ranging from creating music-inspired art with kindergarteners to leading workshops colleges and national conferences (e.g., ASTA, NAfME, Midwest). Outside of his year-round work with the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, he is a committed private teacher with a dynamic studio of young violinist and fiddlers. Additionally, he serves as a Guest Lecturer at Arizona State University, runs a summer camp for young musicians called StringPlay, and regularly works with students and educators around the country to explore the incredible variety of ways to make music with string instruments.
To learn more about Taylor, visit his website.
Sara Duce // Founding Co-Director
After watching high school students perform at a grade school assembly while in 2nd grade, SARA DUCE was smitten with the violin and vowed to play it one day. When the opportunity came to choose an instrument, the viola chose her instead.
Sara graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in music education from Arizona State University (Go Devils!) while studying viola under Patricia Cosand and the late Dr. William Magers. She also holds a Master’s Degree in music education from Northern Arizona University.
Now in her 21st year as orchestra director at Greenfield Junior High in Gilbert, AZ, Sara loves working with young string students and helping them to grow and develop as musicians and as people. While orchestra director is her “full time” passion, she also finds great joy in sharing her love of folk music with many talented high school musicians as a founding co-director of the Gilbert Town Fiddlers. Sara encourages students to play many styles of music and experiment with their approaches to music-making.
Sara has worked with fiddlers of all ages at various local fiddle camps and workshops. She is committed to sharing fiddle with other educators, including through a workshop sponsored by ASTA-Arizona and a presentation at the National ASTA Convention, the latter with the Gilbert Town Fiddlers. Sara currently plays violin with Sunflower Strings, subs with various local quartets on both violin and viola and works as a freelance fiddler and instructor.
Sara graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in music education from Arizona State University (Go Devils!) while studying viola under Patricia Cosand and the late Dr. William Magers. She also holds a Master’s Degree in music education from Northern Arizona University.
Now in her 21st year as orchestra director at Greenfield Junior High in Gilbert, AZ, Sara loves working with young string students and helping them to grow and develop as musicians and as people. While orchestra director is her “full time” passion, she also finds great joy in sharing her love of folk music with many talented high school musicians as a founding co-director of the Gilbert Town Fiddlers. Sara encourages students to play many styles of music and experiment with their approaches to music-making.
Sara has worked with fiddlers of all ages at various local fiddle camps and workshops. She is committed to sharing fiddle with other educators, including through a workshop sponsored by ASTA-Arizona and a presentation at the National ASTA Convention, the latter with the Gilbert Town Fiddlers. Sara currently plays violin with Sunflower Strings, subs with various local quartets on both violin and viola and works as a freelance fiddler and instructor.