Biography
April Verch (born April 7, 1978) is a Canadian fiddler, singer, and step dancer known for carrying the traditional music and dance of the Ottawa Valley onto stages around the world.[3][1] Raised in the small community of Rankin in northeastern Ontario, she grew up immersed in local fiddle tunes, country music, and social dances, attending weekend festivals and watching her father play in a country dance band.[1][5] She began step dancing at age three and took her first fiddle lesson at six, soon performing at fairs, festivals, and television shows, often alongside her step-dance teachers Buster and Pauline Brown.[1][4] Her early promise led her to formal study at the Berklee College of Music, where she learned from noted string educators such as Matt Glaser and Darol Anger, deepening her grounding in North American fiddle traditions.[1]
In her late teens Verch achieved major success on the Canadian contest circuit, winning the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship at 18 and the Canadian Open Old-Time Fiddlers’ Contest at 19, then turning professional soon after.[1] She first toured as a sidemusician with acts including Canadian country star Tommy Hunter and Celtic pop band Mad Pudding before launching the April Verch Band in 2000.[1][2] With that group she has toured four continents, performing in 14 countries and appearing at venues such as the Kennedy Center and the Ryman Auditorium, while releasing a catalog of recordings that includes at least 14 solo albums, two of which received JUNO Award nominations.[1][2] Alongside her bandleading, she has been part of the Canadian fiddle supergroup Bowfire and has toured as a special guest with Irish tenor John McDermott, further broadening her audience.[1]
Verch’s musical style is rooted in the Ottawa Valley fiddle tradition but also embraces American old-time, country, and other folk influences, often combining intricate bowing with precise step dancing and a clear, gentle singing voice.[1][2][9] Since 2016 she has also co-led a duo project with American old-time musician Joe Newberry, and in recent years she has toured extensively as a duo with her husband and musical partner Cody Walters, whose banjo, guitar, and bass playing complement her fiddle and dance.[1][2] Widely regarded as one of the leading tradition-bearers of her generation, Verch is celebrated for preserving regional Canadian styles while presenting them with contemporary vitality, using performance, composition, and teaching to connect audiences to living folk traditions.[1][2][7]
Fun Facts
- April Verch started step dancing at just three years old and took up the fiddle at six, performing publicly as a child at fairs, festivals, and on television.[1][5]
- By her late teens she had won both the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship (at 18) and the Canadian Open Old-Time Fiddlers’ Contest (at 19), two of the country’s most prestigious fiddle titles.[1]
- She often sings, fiddles, and step dances simultaneously on stage—sometimes adding sandpaper foot percussion at the same time—creating a highly choreographed, multi-layered solo performance.[1][2]
- During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Verch and her husband Cody Walters developed a dedicated fiddle–banjo duo show out of necessity, which evolved into a key ongoing format in their touring career.[2]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Buster Brown - Ottawa Valley step-dance teacher and early performance mentor; Verch performed with him from childhood at fairs and festivals. (Early step-dance performances and fiddle/step-dance stage appearances in the Ottawa Valley) [1980s–early 1990s]
- Pauline Brown - Ottawa Valley step-dance teacher who trained Verch from age three and featured her in performances. (Early step-dance and variety-show appearances in Ontario) [1980s–early 1990s]
- Matt Glaser - Berklee College of Music fiddle and string educator who helped shape Verch’s broader understanding of North American fiddle styles. (Studies and ensemble work at Berklee College of Music) [Mid–late 1990s]
- Darol Anger - Renowned fiddler and Berklee instructor whose genre-crossing approach influenced Verch’s stylistic breadth. (Instruction and workshops during Verch’s time at Berklee College of Music) [Mid–late 1990s]
Key Collaborators
- Cody Walters - Multi-instrumentalist (banjo, bass, guitar) and Verch’s husband; long-time member of the April Verch Band and co-leader of an ongoing duo. (Touring and recording with the April Verch Band; April Verch & Cody Walters duo repertoire and concerts) [Band member from 2007; duo and marital partnership from 2018 onward[2]]
- Joe Newberry - American old-time musician who partners with Verch in a duo project blending Canadian and American roots traditions. (Collaborative albums including "Newberry & Verch" and related touring shows) [2016 onward[1]]
- Members of the April Verch Band - Rotating trio-format ensemble built around Verch’s fiddle, voice, and step dancing, featuring world-class accompanists from various traditions. (Multiple tours across four continents; recordings making up Verch’s solo discography (14 albums, including JUNO-nominated releases)) [2000 onward[1][2]]
- Tommy Hunter - Canadian country music legend with whom Verch toured as a backing fiddler early in her professional career. (Touring performances as part of Hunter’s band) [Late 1990s[1]]
- Mad Pudding - Canadian Celtic pop band that hired Verch as a touring fiddler before she launched her own group. (Touring performances as a backing fiddler) [Late 1990s[1]]
- Bowfire - Canadian fiddle supergroup in which Verch performed as a touring member, contributing fiddle, vocals, and step dancing. (Large-scale concert productions and tours as part of the Bowfire ensemble) [After establishing the April Verch Band, 2000s[1]]
- John McDermott - Irish tenor with whom Verch toured as a special guest, bringing her fiddle and step-dance traditions to his audiences. (Guest appearances on McDermott tours) [2000s[1]]
Artists Influenced
- Younger Canadian fiddlers and step dancers (general) - Verch is frequently cited in press and agency bios as a leading Ottawa Valley tradition-bearer whose contest victories, recordings, and international touring have raised the profile of the style for emerging players. (Her 14 solo albums, contest history (Canadian Grand Masters and Canadian Open Old-Time titles), and educational outreach/performances) [2000s–present[1][7][9]]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chick Habit | 1995-10-20 | Album |
| Paris In April | 1996-01-01 | Album |
| Gainsbourgsion | 1994-01-01 | Album |
| April March Sings Along With The Makers | 1996-12-01 | Album |
| Chrominance Decoder (Bonus Track Version) | 1999 | Album |
| Chick Habit | 1995-10-20 | Album |
| Triggers | 2003-01-01 | Album |
| April March Meets Staplin | 2023-05-05 | Album |
| In Cinerama | 2022-03-18 | Album |
| April March & Los Cincos | 1998-11-01 | Album |
| Magic Monsters | 2008-06-01 | Album |
| Paris In April | 1996-01-01 | Album |
| Quai d'Orsay (Bande originale du film) | 2013-11-04 | Album |
| April March & Los Cincos | 1998-04-01 | Album |
| In Cinerama | 2022-03-18 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Chick Habit (Chick Habit)
- Laisse Tomber Les Filles (Chick Habit)
- Le Temps De L`Amour (Chick Habit)
- While We're Young (Paris In April)
- Deux Garçons Pour Une Fille (Chick Habit)
- Tu Mens (Chick Habit)
- Chick Habit (Gainsbourgsion)
- Caribou (Chick Habit)
- Cet Air-La (Chick Habit)
- Surfing Castafiore
External Links
Tags: #bluegrass, #folk
References
Heard on WWOZ
APRIL VERCH has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 14, 2025 | 10:10 | ON THIS CHRISTMAS DAYfrom ON THIS CHRISTMAS DAY | Old Time Country and Bluegrassw/ Hazel The Delta Rambler |