How it all started...

The Society owes its origins to the "Strings Across the Sky" program. The program was founded in 1987 in Inuvik by Andrea Hansen of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Hansen had identified an interest and aptitude for fiddling in the North and worked tirelessly to provide youth with the opportunity to learn to play the fiddle. Throughout the communities, many people volunteered countless hours through workshops and performances to revive the history of fiddling. Thirty eight years later, the Yellowknife chapter of "Strings Across the Sky" decided to develop a Yellowknife-centric fiddling organization and opted for independence. So, in January 2008, Aurora Fiddle Society was registered under the NWT Societies Act. The Kole Crook Fiddle Association, one of our partners, continues to deliver fiddle programs outside of Yellowknife.

This organization runs through the generous and hardworking Board of Directors who put in tireless hours planning programs, showcase opportunities and coordinating community gathering events.

2026/2027 Board of Directors

President - Allison Scott
Treasurer - Vacant
Secretary - Liny Lamberink
Director - Lisa Worthington 
Director - Robert O'Rourke
Director - Christine Senkow

Artistic Director and AFS Fiddle Instructor - Andrea Bettger
AFS Alum and Fiddle Instructor - Alice Twa

 

Membership
 

Aurora Fiddle Society (AFS) promotes fiddling in Yellowknife and the North Slave Region through fiddle jams, workshops and other fiddle related events. AFS brings people of all ages together to enjoy fiddle music and work cooperatively with other organizations to the benefit of fiddling.
 

Benefits of membership include an invitation via e mail to participate in regular fiddle jams, as well as notification of fiddling workshops, music camps, special events, and other fiddle related activities.
 

Only $15/year for individuals or $30/year for families.