Brandi Clarke
Brandi Clarke is a Fiddle (violin) teacher at Academie Musique. Brandi holds Associates degrees in Commercial Music Performance, Audio Technology and Violin performance, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Composition and Arranging.
How long have you been in Temple/Belton?
6 years
Where did you live before Temple/Belton?
Houston, TX
Musical experience:
My family formed a bluegrass band when I was 16 years old. That’s when I started playing fiddle. Classic country music is my passion, but I have toured with a folk group, Irish rock band, and square dance troop. Music has taken me to 25 states and 5 foreign countries. I stay close to home these days, but average about 180 gigs a year.
Awards you have received:
1st place in the B4 Appalachian Songwriting contest (2011)
2nd place in the Houston round of the Songwriters (2012)
Hobbies/Interests:
Mid-century antiques, personal finance, the Enneagram, cat rescue, and mom stuff, such as laundry and vacuuming.
Projects outside of the Academie:
A little bit of recording, but mostly just playing gigs.
Family life:
My husband, Bryce, and I have been married for 8 years this month. We have two daughters. Acuff-Rose just started kindergarten, and Twila is 18 months old.
Pet names:
We rescue stray cats. Currently we have 5 of our own, Dayle, Sugar, Jasmine, Aladdin, and Tom Tom.
Favorite quote:
Tell the truth, but don’t always be telling it. -My Papa
Favorite musical work:
An old spiritual called Wayfaring Stranger
Pet peeves:
People who beat around the bush and don’t just say what they mean.
Favorite food:
Tomatoes
Favorite color:
Green
Favorite story from your musical experience:
I have two and can’t choose between them. 15 years ago my husband and I met on a gig. We both played the Bartlett street dance with The Mark Richey Band.
The second one is being involved in the organization, Swan Songs. They arrange private concerts for people who are nearing the end of their lives. It’s a really beautiful thing to be a part of.
Funny or strange personal story or experience:
Years ago on I was on tour in Pennsylvania and New York with a band that traveled with two dogs, one of which was a 120 pound Mastiff that would lay in my bed and growl at me if I came near it. We had a lot of strange gigs, but the best one was in Batavia, NY. We played a bar where the walls were completely lined with glass cases filled with taxidermied (stuffed, real) animals. You had to pass a two headed calf to get to the ladies room. The funniest one was right above the bar. It was a squirrel pulling a cart, being driven by another squirrel with a little whip in its hand. The one pulling the cart was in a running pose, while the one driving the cart was wielding the whip with its mouth open, as if to yell, “Hyahhh!”