Plumas Arts is pleased to feature Johnene McDonald at Patti’s Thunder Café for February’s Words & Music on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m.
McDonald, a lifelong musician, started piano at the age of 4 and violin at the age of 8. As a young musician, she sat first chair in her elementary school orchestra, attended UCLA Conservatory for young musicians, and performed the Vivaldi A Minor Violin Concerto during competition, where she received an honorable mention. At the age of 17, she attended University of Oregon as a violin major. It was then that she began to explore fiddling and alternative styles of music.
As a contest fiddler, McDonald has won over 100 trophies, been named the California adult fiddling champion seven times, the California state twin fiddling champion six times, and the national twin fiddling champion twice. Additionally, McDonald was principal violinist in the Foothill Youth Symphony, Highland Park Symphony Orchestra and the Eugene Symphony Orchestra.
In 1982, McDonald founded and coordinated the Sierra Nevada Fiddling Championships in Quincy, where she also began Quincy’s stringed instrument program. Over the last 40 years, McDonald has brought music to the community in the form of youth and adult orchestra programs, lessons in multiple instruments, and a greater community appreciation for music in general. McDonald’s music studio, Face the Music Studio, has been a Quincy gem since the mid-1980s and is responsible for the musical education of hundreds of children and adults in the community.
Beyond her music, McDonald is an involved dog trainer at Harmony Ridge Pet Parade, where she has been competing for a decade in agility competitions with her four dogs.
McDonald will be performing on the nyckelharpa, which she began playing just over a year ago.
As always, attendees to Words & Music are encouraged to join in by bringing an instrument or a spoken word performance for open mic following the featured artist performance.
Patti’s Thunder Café will offer baked goods, coffee, tea and specialty drinks including wine and beer for purchase. Located at 557 Lawrence St. in Quincy, it has been the host of Words & Music for 35 years.
Words & Music is a program of Plumas Arts, featuring acoustic performances of music and the spoken word. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., with the featured artist starting at 7 p.m. The show goes until 9 p.m. Sign up at the door for an open mic spot. Late signups may not be included, so those interested should arrive early.
Admission is $3 in cash or via Venmo. For more information about this or other programs sponsored by Plumas Arts, call 530-283-3402 or visit online at www.plumasarts.org.
Information submitted by Plumas Arts
