I grew up with both formal classical in piano and violin, but also hearing my mom and dad play for dances, both by ear and off the music. I was fortunate in all of my teachers and in the choices they made for music. IMO, one couldn't help but be moved by the glorious harmonies, etc. of Mozart, Beethoven, Telemann, Vivaldi, etc. Of course, I was just as moved by the songs and tunes I learned from mom and dad.

I think Itzak Perlman is a great example of someone who can bridge the gap - ever heard him on klezmer fiddle?!

I am very grateful for the early training, esp. for my ear, both classical and trad. It's priceless, as far as I am concerned, to my happiness and satisfaction when making music.

I think where classically trained violinists who try to fiddle get into trouble is if they try to do it all by the dots and don't just do it by ear. They have to learn to loosen up, realise they do not have to be formal about it. It's almost like riding a bicycle without the training wheels for the first time (NOT that classical music is at all simple in the playing technique, etc!)

Ciaran Carson had some good points about all of this in his book on Irish music and time. If I get a chance I'll post an excerpt from the most excellent book!:-) There are also a couple of old thread about this I'll try to find.

kat