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DocuSign Envelope ID:5DF3D075-C96D-4B76-8708-51E2CC79723E <br /> As a writer—and as a poet—that's meant being open to wherever a piece of writing may <br /> take him. As a teacher, that's meant being open to all kinds of students and sharing <br /> what may take them to the next stage of their development, which necessarily varies by <br /> student. He emphasizes, too, as serious as the writing process and teaching process <br /> may be, there better be room for fun. Aside from his work in colleges and universities <br /> and at schools, he's led writing workshops in communities throughout Alaska, as well as <br /> in more than a dozen other states. <br /> Ken Waldman primarily plays old-time music, which predates bluegrass. Historically, <br /> this is a string-band music linked to Appalachia, though, really, there are variants most <br /> everywhere in North America. Some of the tunes he plays are more than two centuries <br /> old, though he also has recorded over a hundred he's composed in the style. <br /> Though solo fiddling has its own long-standing tradition—and Ken will still occasionally <br /> play solo, especially in conjunction with literary or storytelling events—there's also a <br /> long tradition of fiddle and banjo, and of four-piece string-bands with fiddle, banjo, <br /> guitar, bass. The permutations are endless: some groups will add a second fiddle, or a <br /> mandolin, or will specialize in singing. Some will feature a percussive dancer. <br /> What distinguishes Ken is that he uses this music in performance as backdrop as he <br /> shares original poems—poetry often about this music—and tells stories, most often <br /> about the music, or about Alaska. And while bluegrass may he considered flashier, old- <br /> time music may be considered more soulful, which doesn't preclude a high level of <br /> musicianship, or satisfaction in the listening. Ken started playing fiddle in 1981, long <br /> enough that he knows, and has as friends, hundreds of musicians who are among the <br /> very best in this genre. When Ken performs, he can bring "local" accompanists who are <br /> highest level musicians themselves, artists who headline their own regional, national, <br /> international shows. <br /> Video Samples: https://wwwkenwaldman.com/video-young-children-s-programs <br />