The Turning Stile

An active dance and concert band since 2008, The Turning Stile brings audiences on emotional journeys through traditional tune sets, contemporary New England compositions, and original creations with Celtic, Canadian, and Appalachian roots.  Based in Montpelier, Vermont, The Turning Stile features fiddler and dancer Joanne Garton and multi-instrumentalist and dancer Aaron Marcus. 

For some dances and shows, the band becomes The Turning Stile+ and perform as a three- or four-piece ensemble. 

As ecologists (Joanne) and botanists (Aaron), The Turning Stile is equally at home on the stage or in the woods. Maybe you've seen these musicians at Rockfire somewhere between the flaming quarry sculptures and the pond with the floating candles? Or maybe you caught one of our field walks at Pinewoods?

Visit the Gigs page to find out where to catch us next.

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Camp Instructor and Staff Musician

A summer camp instructor since 2010, Joanne teaches fiddle, fiddle accompaniment, violin basics, dance band, Scottish step dance, and Highland Dance. 

Joanne has also served as staff musician at dance camps for children and adults. I play for contra, Scottish country, English, Scottish ceilidh, and the occasional feis.

And, as it turns out, she's not too bad at Capture the Flag.

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Contra dance fiddler

Joanne steps on stage with favorite musicians to create tunes for contra dances, Scottish Country Dances, English Country Dances, and festival gigs. She works best when melding the drive of the traditional Scottish fiddle with the groove of the New England Dance floor.

She also jumps in the studio from time to time to record tunes and harmonies on friends' albums.

Here's Joanne with Brendan Taaffe, a duo somehow now known as The Tartan Raiders. They're a little famous in some parts.

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Private Teacher

Through private or small group lessons in Montpelier, Vermont, Joanne teaches fiddle tunes, music theory, chordal accompaniment and Scottish music history. She also guides students in their work with other other stringed instruments, including viola, piano, guitar, and cello. Although her work focuses on learning tunes for the joy of learning tunes, her students have opportunities to  get on stage at a show or dance if that's what moves them.

Joanne also teaches workshops at music festivals or through music programs such as Young Tradition Vermont and the Summit School of Traditional Music & Culture.