A row of violins sitting in JayDean Ludiker's music shop. Ludiker Music repairs, rents, and sometimes donates instruments to area youth.
MEDICAL LAKE – A long time bluegrass musician and experienced fiddler has once again participated in the annual Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival held Aug. 11-13.
JayDean Ludiker, Owner of Ludiker Music said she tries to get involved in as many community events as possible because she is very passionate about music.
"I grew up in Spokane Valley in a family where everyone played an instrument," Ludiker said. "I watched my father play, and he took me around the country as he played in contests."
Ludiker, 59, said she has been a fiddle teacher for 45 years as she really got interested in high school.
She went on to become the National Junior Champion at age 17, and National Ladies winner the following year.
Her love and passion for bluegrassing and fiddling have grown since then, especially for teaching the music to others.
She has grown her music business to the point where she needed to move to create more room for teaching group classes.
Ludiker teaches about 100 students per week, and she needed an open space she could consistently use for teaching large groups.
That's when she decided to move to Otis Orchards.
She has also authored six books on fiddling, including beginner level lessons and some specialized teachings as well.
Ludiker said this is the busiest part of the year for her as she rents instruments to kids in music classes as well, and she hopes to work with schools throughout the region. She also loans instruments to kids that can't afford one.
That's another reason she donates instruments to the Blue Waters festival. According to Ludiker she understands a lot of people may not be able to access instruments as easily as others.
"I want to help people enjoy music, and I know not everyone can afford to go out and buy instruments," Ludiker said. "So I always try to donate instruments, and the Blue Waters festival is a great place to do that."
"I just hope it helps someone succeed in the world of music," she said.
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
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