Mary Taylor
Mary Taylor
Mary Scott Taylor is a classically trained violinist and Celtic fiddler. She received her Bachelor Degree from Lamar University in Violin Performance and Music Education where she studied with Eduard Schmieder, a student of David Oistrakh.
She received her Master Degree from Sam Houston State University, in Violin Performance and Conducting. She is also a certified Suzuki Violin instructor through Book 7, in addition to having training in the Mark O’Connor method, level 2.
In the classical world she has been a symphony player since the age of 15. She has played in professional orchestras in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Georgia, South Carolina, Austria and Italy. In the Celtic folk area she has performed, recorded and collaborated with such artists as John Doyle, David Greenberg, Kim Robertson, Martin Hayes, Liz Carroll, Kevin Crawford, Joey Abarta, and Cillian Vallely.
From 2000 to 2019 she was the founder and director of Na Fidleiri, which trained young fiddlers in the art and performance of Celtic music. What emerged was a very well known ensemble of young fiddlers who performed and were featured prominently in the US and Ireland. They have been seen on NPR, local TV and radio, as well as multiple periodicals and newspapers.
Taylor now directs Na Fidleiri Reimagined which produces professional Celtic and classical performances of the highest caliber. Na Fidleiri – Reimagined will also run a Pathways to Healing initiative which will focus on bringing these performances into the medical arena to nurture not only healthcare workers but also those healing from illness.
Along with Tiffany Rice, she built the string program at Ashley Hall from 2006 t 2017.
Classical students under her instruction have attended many institutions including, Julliard, San Francisco Conservatory, Florida State University, Interlochen, Eastman and others.
She can be heard performing on Sing We Now of Christmas on the MSR Classics label, So Hallowed the Time on the Delos label, and Celtic Mass also on the Delos label. As a fiddler she is heard on Organic Tangerines and All Through the Night on the Hungry Monk label.
