The World Fiddle Ensemble and Bluegrass Ensemble Perform at the Massey

The World Fiddle Ensemble performing at the Massey Performing Arts Center, Anna Blubaugh 

The World Fiddle Ensemble and Bluegrass Ensemble showcased an impressive collection of folk, country and bluegrass performances on Wednesday at the Massey Performing Arts Center.  

The showcase kicked off with a five-song set from the World Fiddle Ensemble, a group of eleven musicians.  

Performing songs with Scottish, Jewish and Indian origins, the group made a point to draw light to the different styles of fiddle music.  

The performance also showcased an original song by fiddler Naomi Dornfeld, inspired by “The Chronicles of Narnia.”  

“The forest has a big role in the Narnia books,” explained Dornfeld during the performance. “I renamed the song after I started the song and then named it after the Narnia forest because I thought it gave that vibe. Because this is World Fiddle, we’re bringing another world to you.”  

The set brought the audience to their feet.  

“It’s not a popular genre and there’s so much skill that goes into it,” said audience member Castle Greene after the performance. “The skill of those fiddle players to stay in tempo and to play like that is insane.”  

Shortly after, the Bluegrass Ensemble took the stage. Playing a total of 15 songs, the group performed a variety of bluegrass tunes from originals to well-known hits.  

The Bluegrass Ensemble performing at the Massey, Anna Blubaugh.  

With four vocalists, each member switched out for different songs, allowing the audience to hear different vocal blends and tones.  

Exchanging smiles, laughs and quips during the performances, the close-knit nature of the groups was palpable.  

Both groups are directed by Dr. Ryan Ogrodny, assistant professor and coordinator of strings at Belmont University. He has directed the group since 2019.  

Ogrodny guides each group and leads rehearsals but makes it a point to have the students involved in creating repertoire for performances.  

“Ryan is so willing to let us try things,” said Ava Grace Harper-England, a second-year member of the Bluegrass Ensemble. “His willingness to be open to things gives us so much opportunity to just grow and evolve and be whatever the members want it to be at the time.”  

This allows the students to become closer and learn to work as a team.  

“I always say that I love music, but I love people more,” said Ogrodny. “My favorite part of the ensembles is that it brings the members together through music.”  

This article was written by Anna Blubaugh