About Us
A few Words About Us
the Fiddlershop Academy
Pierre Holstein and Michael O’Gieblyn have been playing violin for a long time (just trust us, also….math). We believe that everyone can love playing the violin, and we want to help you experience the same joy it has brought us.
Through our work at Fiddlershop.com, we realized that purchasing a violin is only the beginning of our job to serve our customers. Learning how to play the violin in a fun, supportive, yet methodical way was still missing.
The Fiddlershop Academy was started to help you get started and guide you every step of the way.
We’ve seen a lot of violinists struggle to find a good local teacher, or get lost in the sea of random YouTube videos and buggy apps. What they need is helpful feedback from actual humans.
A Violin school like no other
While the fundamentals and methods we teach have been passed down for generations, we believe in expressing them in dynamic and unforgettable ways.
We teach familiar tunes in a variety of styles from classical, folk, and modern genres. We mix in some traditional exercises and focus on building a solid foundation so that you can play whatever you want to play.
We’re proud to offer the largest free library of courses to get you started, but enrolling to become a premium member is when real progress happens.
Help from the experts
As a premium member you’ll get personalized video responses through the Masterclass Exchange, access more advanced lessons, and get the help you need when you feel stuck.
Meet Your instructors
Michael O'Gieblyn
Michael O’Gieblyn is originally from Detroit, Michigan, and plays the violin professionally with Miami City Ballet, Florida Grand Opera, Boca Symphonia and Palm Beach Symphony. Before moving to South Florida, he was a member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and performed regularly with the Nashville (TN), Louisville (KY), and Huntsville (AL) Orchestras.
In the studio, Michael has recorded for many award winning albums, video games, and movie soundtracks including Sony Playstation’s Uncharted 4, Aliens: Colonial Marines, The Unfinished Swan and recordings for OneRepublic, Keb Mo, Norah Jones, Travis Tritt, Darryl Worley, David Phelps, Caitlin Rose, Larnelle Harris, and Sandi Patti.
One of the highlights of Michael’s career was performing live on WSM at the Grand Ole Opry with country music legend Ray Price and the Cherokee Cowboys. Michael also has performed live with multiple Grammy Award winning artists including Casting Crowns, Gungor, Paper Route, Michael W. Smith, Selah, Steven Curtis Chapman, Natalie Grant, and Matthew West.
Michael studied at Carnegie Mellon University with Cyrus Forough, and also received a Masters of Music degree in violin performance from Belmont University as a student of Elisabeth Small. In the summers, Michael has been on the faculty of Belmont’s String Crossings Camp, and the Masterworks Festival.
While preparing for orchestral auditions, the lack of resources for violinists led Michael to create www.OrchestraExcerpts.com a resource which helps musicians learn audition excerpts and have a positive audition experience. He is also the host of the PerService Podcast, and product/video specialist at Fiddlershop.com
Pierre Holstein
Pierre Holstein, aka Fiddlerman, has played the violin for over 40 years. He has performed professionally as a violinist for over 30 years in the United States, Europe, and Asia, holding positions as concert master and section leader in full-time symphony orchestras.
He has also coached many professional violinists, as well as beginner violinists and students. His goal is to provide all violinists, beginners and advanced, a friendly place to visit, learn, and improve.
Ready to pursue
your dream?
Let’s work together to make it happen.