Fiddler extraordinaire, and Berklee grad, Casey Driessen, has accepted a teaching position at the Berklee College of Music’s European campus in Valencia, Spain. He will direct a masters program in Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration) that is not instrument specific.
Driessen came up as a bluegrass fiddler, but since graduating from Berklee he has developed a fascinating performance vehicle for himself creating complex arrangements through live audio looping. He uses his fiddle to trigger and record a variety of percussive and melodic loops, which he then interacts with on stage.
He has also toured with a number of experimental string bands, like Sparrow Quartet, Béla Fleck, Jerry Douglas, and others, and has recorded an album of duets with noted drummers and percussionists.
In describing his own music experience, it becomes clear why Berklee has tapped him for this opportunity.
“I’m a traditional American fiddler turned electrified live looper; a studio musician with producing, mixing, and engineering experience; a sideman who has become a band leader and solo artist; and also a tour manager, stage manager, merchandise manager, and drum tech.”
Casey and his young family will be moving to Spain shortly to begin their adventure.
