Maybe she fell in love with fiddling before she was born, the day her mother, eight months pregnant with her, competed in a fiddling contest. Aarun was taught suzuki violin at the age of 2, and never stopped learning! At 4 years old, Aarun won the Colorado State Small Fry Division. Soon after, she won an award for the “youngest fiddler” at the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest. Aarun attended Denver School of the Arts High School in Denver, CO and majored in Orchestra. She got to experience many amazing things while being a part of the DSA family. In addition to being one of the top rated Orchestras in the state, they got to perform with Garrison Keillor at Boettcher Concert Hall for "A Prarie Home Companion."
Aarun has studied under many award winning fiddlers including Wes Westmoreland (Mel Tillis), Christian Howes (Les Paul), Randy Elmore (Willie Nelson), Alex DePue (Steve Vai), Katie Glassman (Western Flyers), Lisa Barrett, Joey McKenzie (Quebe Sisters) and Jimmie Don Bates, as well as studying commercial music at South Plains College under the tutelage of Joe Carr (of the Country Gazette) and Cary Banks (of the Maines Brothers Band). Aarun has also shared the stage with many note-worthy performers such as Ashley McBryde (Grammy nominated, ACM, CMA winner) Floyd Domino (Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Strait, The Texas Playboys, Waylon Jennings), Lonestar, Carolyn Martin (The Time Jumpers) and many others! |
Along with her 7 Colorado State champion titles, Aarun has won state titles in Oregon (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022), Wyoming, Washington (2017, 2019, 2022), and Arkansas (traditional old time state champion). She has also been awarded the title of Two Time National Young Adult Champion at the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest in Weiser, ID.
Aarun is currently living in Portland, OR where she plays with multiple bands, operates the graphic design company Innovative Formations, and is the founder and executive producer of the music documentary production company “Fiddle TV,” in addition to touring with various bands and doing studio projects such as recording 59 fiddle songs to accompany the instructional Mel Bay book entitled “Anthology of Contest Fiddle Tunes.” Aarun also has a high-demand teaching studio and teaches in Portland, Oregon in conjunction with her mother's "Suziddle" program, where Suzuki and fiddling merge. They also organize rehearsals and performances for their audition only "kid" fiddle group, "Fiddlocity". Aarun is currently working as a freelance artist, and has been working closely with Cole Hauser of the Yellowstone franchise, as well as producing the podcast, "Fiddle Legends" |
Ongoing Projects
Fiddle Legends Podcast
Washington State Fiddle Championships
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Sunnyside Youth Contest
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