Tim Ball Bio

Tim Ball is an accomplished American fiddler, singer, and guitarist whose playing is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Ireland, New England, Canada, and Appalachia, tied together by the distinct musical heritage of his native upstate New York. With over two decades of experience performing in Celtic and contra dance ensembles, Tim has built a reputation for his expressive style and deep musical knowledge. His latest album, Upstate Crossroads, marked a major milestone in his career, earning the No. 1 spot on the January 2023 Folk Alliance International music chart. 

A relentless collaborator, Tim brings a wealth of performing experience from other projects. Tim is well-known to upstate New York audiences as the guitarist for the acclaimed Celtic trio Arise & Go, appears as a guitarist with Pennsylvania-based Irish band Poor Man’s Gambit, and has performed with popular Renaissance festival acts Empty Hats and Cantiga. In addition, he’s taught at music and dance camps such as Ashokan and Pinewoods.

Traditional music became part of Tim’s life at the age of 5, when his father brought home two tin whistles and a method book and they learned to play together. He devoured his parents’ LP collection, listening to groups such as The Boys of the Lough and Fennig’s All-Star String Band. Other influential recordings included Sackett’s Harbor, a CD of fiddle tunes from 19th century upstate New York manuscripts, and Toss the Feathers, a cassette sent from Ireland by his grandmother with a note indicating that the tenor banjo player was also their plumber. While attending Ithaca College Tim became an avid contra dancer and eventually an in-demand contra dance musician, afterwards falling headfirst into Ithaca’s vibrant Irish session scene.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Ithaca College, where he studied with Susan Waterbury. In the fiddle world, he has sought out respected mentors in the New England and Irish-American traditions, including David Kaynor, Brian Conway, and Ed McGowan. Tim has also studied early music, jazz improvisation, Suzuki Pedagogy, and the Creative Ability Development method.

When he is not on stage, Tim directs the Finger Lakes Fiddle Orchestra, leads Irish sessions, serves as a visiting lecturer in violin at Cornell University, and maintains a private violin and fiddle studio in Ithaca, NY.

50 word bio

Tim Ball is a fiddler, singer, and guitarist whose playing is rooted in the traditions of Ireland, New England, Canada, and Appalachia, connected by the musical heritage of his native upstate New York. His album, Upstate Crossroads, earned the No. 1 spot on the January 2023 Folk Alliance International chart. 

100 word bio

Tim Ball is an accomplished American fiddler, singer, and guitarist whose playing is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Ireland, New England, Canada, and Appalachia, tied together by the distinct musical heritage of his native upstate New York. With over two decades of experience performing in Celtic and contra dance ensembles, Tim has built a reputation for his expressive style and deep musical knowledge. His latest album, Upstate Crossroads, marked a major milestone in his career, earning the No. 1 spot on the January 2023 Folk Alliance International music chart. 

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