By James Bowler

4th generation fiddler teaches his art to many

Oct 28, 2012 | 8:29 AM

He’s not just a proud teacher, but a proud father as well.

Dean Bernier of Bernier Music was able to celebrate the win of not just two of his own students, but his son as well in the 26th Old Time Fiddling contest in Nipawin last week.

Bernier’s son Wyatt, won first place in the Junior Class category, and his two sibling students Bria and Bryden Howden won first place in the Novice and Pre-novice categories.

Bernier is a fourth generation fiddler and has carried on his family’s talent to other children as from his own in the Prince Albert and surrounding area. He doesn’t just teach fiddling; he brings the joy of most any musical instruments to kids who want to learn.

Despite all this Bernier said he does see a decline in interest in playing music overall, as well as a decline in the amount of his students this year.

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“I think it’s still going strong in some areas, the culture is still there,” Berniersaid. “But one thing I have noticed is times are changing and people are turning to activities other than music and dancing.”

Bernier is not exactly sure what it is that is dragging the attention away from these centuries old arts, but he is doing all he can to try and keep them alive.

“One thing I do is teach,” Bernier said. “I wrote the curriculum and designed the program at Rivier.”

Bernier’s two sons both play instruments and as Bernier said, Wyatt especially doesn’t just focus on one instrument. Bernier said Wyatt plays in the school band as well as his own band playing bass, but every morning he can hear his son listening to fiddle music getting ready for the day.

While Bernier may have a decline in students this year he doesn’t have any shortage of students that have gone on to lead successful lives in music.

“They’re all over the world,” Bernier said, adding that he tries to keep up with some of them to see how far they’ve gone.

One thing is for sure, Bernier will never give up on teaching children and adults the art of music.
“I always joked that I’d work until the day I die,” Bernier said and he may do just that.

jbowler@panow.com

On Twitter: @journalistjim