Hi, I’m Sophie!
I am a Middle Tennessee fiddler and artist with a passion for helping others thrive. On my blog you’ll find art, fiddle videos, recipes, wildflowers, garden tips, and more!
I have over twelve years of multi-style fiddling experience in Celtic, old-time, bluegrass, wedding, classical, and church music. My most recent album is The Butterfly, a collection of my favorite old-time and Celtic fiddle tunes.
My goal is to encourage, delight, and inspire others and bring glory to God in all that I do. Here is one of my favorite verses:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
When did you start fiddling? I began playing the fiddle when I was nine years old. My parents did a wonderful job exposing me to many genres of music, and I began playing by ear before learning to read sheet music. I began taking lessons with Jim and Inge Wood at age twelve and discovered a love for other instruments as well, including viola, guitar, mandolin, cello, and voice.
Where have you performed? I gained experience playing at local contra dances, in church, and various events around Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama. I played with several bands in high school, including an old-time string band, a Bluegrass band, and a Celtic-Americana band. I have played on TV multiple times, including on Alabama Public Television. In 2020, I recorded my first album, titled The Butterfly, a collection of my favorite old-time and Celtic fiddle tunes. I have also taught beginning and intermediate fiddle lessons at the Huntsville Strings Shop.
Since coming to college at Middle Tennessee State University, I have played viola and violin in several ensembles, including the Mixed Chamber Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra, and a String Chamber Ensemble. I am currently taking violin lessons with Dr. Andrea Dawson and plan to resume teaching violin/fiddle in Summer 2024.
Where do you currently perform? I play regularly at weddings, contra dances, the Murfreesboro Saturday Market, and as a violist with the Middle Tennessee State University Symphony Orchestra. I also serve on the church worship team at Family Worship Center. For bookings or questions, please email sophiebuckmusic@gmail.com.
When did you begin making art? I have loved drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. My mom often read aloud to us as kids, and some of my favorite children’s books were the Beatrix Potter stories. During our time together, I loved drawing horses, birds, cats, flowers, and butterflies. As I got older, I began to hone my skills by making art for the Lincoln County Fair. In high school I was commissioned to paint a city mural for my hometown (Fayetteville). My artwork has received multiple awards in The Tennessee Magazine, and my photography has also been featured in Birds and Blooms magazine.
How did you learn to draw? Mostly by practicing. When I was learning to read, we found out that I had dyslexia. My parents helped me work past the dyslexia by using the Davis Dyslexia Method from Ron Davis’ book, The Gift of Dyslexia. This approach helped me tremendously, and to this day I rarely struggle with reading or writing. In high school, I took art lessons from a dear friend named Ms. Nancy Sims. My mom and I used to stop by her house on our way to music lessons, drink coffee, make art, and talk about life. What fond memories!
Where do you find your inspiration? The beauty found in nature is my biggest inspiration. As a child, I found endless entertainment in flipping through wildflower books or exploring the woods with my brothers and sister. I have spent untold hours on birding trips with my older brother, Evan, who is now a professional ornithologist. Binoculars in our hands and cameras around our necks, we loved observing the beauty of the natural world together. Even though we live far apart now, my love of nature and photography has not been lost.
What is your favorite medium? It depends on the style of art. I enjoy the accuracy of colored pencils, the vibrance of watercolor, and the control of acrylic. I also use gouache, charcoal, pastels, graphite, oils, and alcohol markers. Recently I have been learning to use more digital media.
What are your plans as an artist? Once I graduate college, I would love to become a full time children’s book illustrator and music teacher. I am planning to write and illustrate my own children’s book series, sell my art online, and offer virtual or in-person fiddle/violin lessons.
