#21 Fiddling Around - with Teresa Walter Artwork

A Brush With Life

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A Brush With Life is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

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A Brush With Life

#21 Fiddling Around - with Teresa Walter

January 13, 2026 • Susan Waughtal • Season 2 • Episode 21

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Teresa Walter grew up playing classical violin, and she was really good at it, but she took a 20-year hiatus from music to focus on family and career. When her daughters were grown, she picked up the violin again and started to play casually at community venues, such as the Salvation Army kettle at the grocery store.

One night, she attended a bluegrass jam session, joined in, and fell in love with playing her violin in the fiddle style. Just ten years after playing her first bluegrass jam session, she won first place in the Minnesota State Old Time Fiddle Championship in Mountain Iron, Minnesota.

Enjoy Teresa's story of becoming a champion fiddle player and beloved musician in the community! This interview ends with Teresa performing "Blugrass in the Backwoods," composed by Keny Baker.

Hear Teresa's music:

Teresa Walter - From Classical Violin to Fiddle Fun

Teresa competing at National Old Time Fiddle Contest in Wieser, Idaho, 2025