mclewin.com

Months ago I decided to compete in the Kansas State Fiddling Championship held in Lawrence, KS. I've been preparing for a while with a goal that was quite frankly to get up, play as best as I could, and get down. I consider it a performance more than a competition.

Claire has been watching this process, and declared on Thursday that she wanted to compete on Sunday. So why not.

We worked on and off for three days on the logistics of her playing three tunes without us talking to each other (talking is a disqualification in this blind judging event) and how to work with a rhythm accompaniment.

Claire was contestant #6. By far the youngest there, and the only contestant who had to put down their balloon before playing.

She loved it. The audience loved it, and it was the highlight of my day.