Adding to the conversation:
This from a friend sent to me privately:


My training is classical and I believe that it has created a solid technical foundation for playing the violin efficiently and understanding sound production. Classical posture is based around getting the most out of one's arm and fingers without compromising the physical structure of the body thus and avoiding injury. The Suzuki method of learning violin is also greatly focused on training the ear, a skill essential to fiddle playing (my background).

As far as switching from classical style to a folk idiom, I don't believe anything can not be unlearned, but there are some notable different physical differences in playing the instrument. The difference stylistically between Irish and classical music is huge. Sound production, phrasing and the 'swing' of Irish music stand out the most to me. I do not believe it is impossible to be a great Irish fiddler and come from a classical background, but it takes a serious immersion in the music to understand the differences and be able to control their production. It also depends greatly on the desired sound of the folk player a classical violinist is trying to imitate and learn from.

Example: Kevin Burke was trained classically and he sounds like it, smooth articulate and very controlled playing, but ultimately an amazing musician in the Irish idiom. A player like Paddy Canny however, no classical training and his sound is unique, and I know from my background I could never play like him.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I believe it is possible to learn a folk idiom from a classical background and understand and communicate it's intricacies, it is not so easy however to sound like a self taught or folk schooled fiddler when coming from a classical background. The best approach for your daughter I believe depends on what she wants to become.

Making this change has been a big part of my development and I'm no way near to mastering it, but I've put a lot of time into it and had a lot of instruction as well. I'd be happy to talk with your daughter's mother more about my personal efforts and struggles if she would find it at all helpful.

Best of luck with whichever avenue is pursued.