Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciara Hager
Hi Ciara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started playing violin when I was 4 years old, in Medicine Hat Alberta, Canada where I grew up. As a child, my upbringing included a school strings program in Classical performance, which provided me with an intensive musical learning environment.
While I was studying my undergrad degree, I began searching for the reason why I was so passionate about music. I started to learn which time periods/eras and genres of music I was interested in. I started experimenting with improvisation, and was fortunate to be apart of some jazz classes for non-majors that my school, the Eastman School of Music offered. I found myself steering towards music that allowed me to be creative and had an itch to explore more.
I began dabbling in various genres of music which allowed me to use my improvisation skills. I played some folk duo shows with my friend Greg Herman back in Medicine Hat, did some Jazz trio shows with connections I made in Calgary and Edmonton, through the Jazz festivals there. I then decided to take on the scene in Texas, studying my master’s degree in jazz violin. Once I moved to Texas, my career really took off as far as work opportunities, and I began playing in various different country bands. Some highlights of gigs I was offered included playing for Ed Sheeran and Luke Combs at the Country Music Awards in 2023 at the Star stadium in Frisco, and was the fiddle player for artist Kat Hasty’s 3 week summer tour of 2023. I had the chance to play as the first ever violinist in the One O Clock lab band, and my playing will be featured on the upcoming album release, Lab 2024.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not! One of the biggest struggles for me was embracing the sacrifices I had to make to pursue the career that I have. In high school, I remember having to give up some time spent with friends, to pursue the intense after-school musical education that I was involved in. Another sacrifice I had to make was not spending as much time with my family and friends in Canada, to pursue my career and the unlimited opportunities in America. Placing distance between family makes it much harder to get together in person, although I do manage to take a couple of flights there each year. At this point, I’ve created a life in America and feel at home.
Another thing I’ve struggled with is being content with where I am in my career at each given point in time, since I’m a person who constantly searches for new ways to grow and develop as a musician. This often leads me to question whether I’ve accomplished enough and if I’m doing what I really want, since my desires and preferences are often changing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I call myself a multi-genre violinist, because I play so many different kinds of music. Since moving to Texas I’ve been getting increasingly more involved in the country music scene, playing fiddle for many original artists in the styles of bluegrass, red dirt country, pop country, 90’s country, rockabilly, and more. When I play with my own band, I play primarily jazz music, as well as manouche style jazz which lends itself to be more inclusive of the violin. I also play in pop strings groups around the Dallas Ft-Worth area, as well as play solo sets of pop/R&B/movie music which I can bring to weddings, restaurants, proposals, etc.
Some recent accomplishments I’m proud of include getting the permanent fiddle position for Casey Chesnutt’s touring band, as well as playing in the Texarkana Symphony for the 2024-2025 season. In the next few years, I’d like to release my first jazz album playing my own original music with a band and am looking forward to planning it out.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
An additional passion of mine is my love for teaching. This fall I’ve begun teaching at Faubion Middle School in McKinney, and am really enjoying the variety of levels of playing from the students I get the pleasure of spending time with in lessons. It feels like the students really want to be there, and they work hard on their pieces and upcoming performances. I enjoy inspiring their drive and motivation to keep going, by always reminding them of real life situations in the professional world.
I also really enjoy teaching jazz students, especially string players who want to branch out and explore improvisational techniques. It’s my dream to be a Jazz Violin professor at a University one day.
Pricing:
- Private lessons, $60/hr
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciara_violin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ciara.hager/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ciaraperformingandteaching1830
Image Credits
Lauren Smith – LB Smith photo
Misty Thibodeaux
Michele Hager
Mason Moore
