I offer lessons at my private music studio, Four Pillars Fiddle, in the northend of Halifax and online.

I specialize in teaching adults with a student-centred , process-oriented approach. We play lots together in lessons and focus on your goals and interests, while always promoting ease and comfort with your instrument, supporting and enjoying the process of learning, and developing your sense of artistry at any level. I am always happy to meet you where you are at in any given lesson. 

“Hayley is a kind, patient and understanding teacher who creates a positive and relaxed atmosphere in her lessons.’ 

 -Maria H., 34, fiddler at Four Pillars Fiddle

Join me at Four Pillars Fiddle online or in-person to:

While my training includes 25+ years of Celtic fiddling in community, I also hold a degree in violin performance and have experience incommercial performance, improvisation, and classical violin. I also pursued my Master's in Scottish Fiddling from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. After teaching general musicianship in public schools, I developed an interst in facilitating intercultural music making for youth and have pursued this by completing World Music Pedagogy certificate (Cape Breton University), and Artistic Mentor Training with Ethnofonik (Jeunesses Musicale International). 

All that said, my expertise and greatest joy is teaching Scottish & Cape Breton fiddling traditionally (by ear) with patience and excitement and sharing craft and time this way, the way my fiddle teachers taught me. I also provide sheet music and video/audio resources for students to supplement aural learning.

I bring my experience as a learner, fiddler, and professional musician to my lessons. I also bring my training in the Alexander Technique with me, as well as personal experience with pain, injury, and recovery in playing.

I enjoy sharing tunes with my amazing students, who I see as creative and courageous by trying something new. I deeply appreciate students allowing me to support them in pursuing an interest of theirs! Let's play some music!

Email me at ryersonhayley@gmail.com to book a feeler chat to see if lessons together would suit you!