L-R James Schlender (3rd) Brook Wallace (1st) and Ellie Goodman (2nd)

Brook Wallace of Burleson, TX, an 18-year old student took first place. Brook is a college student majoring in music at Tarrant County College and she plays in the TCC Jazz Band. This was her second trip to Winfield. She says she had to come back because she had the desire to place first in this contest. She has been playing the fiddle most of her life, taking up the instrument when she was only 7-years old. Brook also plays the guitar, mandolin and piano. Wallace’s parents gave her the first fiddle she says, “Because I kept after them to get me one.” She also plays in her family’s band, The Wallace Family Band. Brook takes back to TX the 1st place trophy, $250 and a Simon Nandor Violin provided by Keller Strings of Topeka, KS.

Ellie Goodman of Edmond, OK took home the second place trophy and a Euorpean Violin provided by Keller Strings of Topeka, KS. This is the first time she has been to Winfield and the Festival and she considers it “a wonderful and inspiring experience.” She has been playing the fiddle for around seven years and also plays mandolin. Ellie says she actually became interested in the fiddle because of the music she was exposed to as a child… music by Ricky Skaggs and Bill Monroe. She was 10 when she got her first fiddle. Her parents bought it from a local fiddle shop. “I’ll be back,” she says, because it’s a great experience and is wonderful for players like me who want to expose themselves to a wide range of music styles.”

A 13-year old student, James Schlender of Bozeman, MT captured 3nd place in this year’s contest. This was James’ second time entering the Winfield contest. Last year he finished 2nd. James said, “I came to have fun and compete against the big guys.” He has been playing the fiddle for only four and one-half years and also plays a little mandolin and guitar. James got his first fiddle from his teacher’s wife’s cousin and he now plays the one that he won last year. He takes back to MT the 3rd Place Trophy and $250.