Chuck Levy

About Chuck Levy: Chuck Levy has earned the title of Florida's Old-Time Banjo Champ, as well as being a prize-winning Florida fiddler. Originally from Ohio, has been playing old-time music in north central Florida of the last 8 years. He is equally at home on 5 and 6 string banjos (five strings plus a short string), whether fretted or fretless, playing clawhammer and minstrel styles. He draws inspiration from the music of the Midwest, southern Appalachians, and most recently the flatlands of Florida. His repertoire includes its share of uncommon tunes as well as a few intriguing originals. He leads the string bands "Physical Medicine" and "Fear No Weevil". He is the current president of the Florida Banjo Society and a past president of the Florida State Fiddlers Association. He also performs monthly as an Artist-in-Residence for the Arts in Medicine program at Shands Hospital of the University of Florida. Chuck teaches fiddle and banjo in Gainesville, Florida, and directs the Suwannee Old-Time weekend and the Suwannee Banjo Camp.In July, 2007, Chuck spent two weeks in Gambia, Africa, studying the akonting with Jola master musicians Remi Diatta, Ekona Diatta, as well as with noted researcher and performer, Daniel Jatta. The akonting is an African 3-stringed instrument, similar in construction to the banjo, that is played in a clawhammer-like style.Organizational Responsibilities and ConsultingFounder and President of the Florida Banjo Society, 2006-2008Director: Oldtime Banjo Contest at the Florida Folk Festival: 2005-6This is an annual contest that draws competitors from Florida and neighboring states.Co-Director and instructor: Suwannee Banjo Camp:2007, 2008The Suwannee Banjo Camp gathers some of the nations most prominent banjoists for a weekend of performance and instructionDirector and Instructor: Suwannee Old-Time Camp 2006, 2007The Oldtime Camp presents national and Florida performers on guitar, voice, banjo and fiddle for a weekend of performance and instructionBanjo Design Consultant to Goldtone: 2006Goldtone manufactures musical instruments including banjos, guitars, and mandolins.President of the Florida State Fiddlers Association: 2002-4The FSFA promotes oldtime and fiddle music throughout Florida and holds a yearly convention with a string band contest and also conducts a fiddle contest at the Florida Folk FestivalInstructor: Beginning fiddle, Suwannee Old Time Camp 2005Competitions:2006: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddle Contest 2006: 1st Place Florida Old-Time Music Championships: Banjo 2005: 1st Place: Florida State Banjo Contest 2005: 2nd Place: Southeast Pickin’ & Fiddlin’Contest: Old-Time Banjo 2005: 3rd Place: Southeast Pickin’ & Fiddlin’Contest: Old-Time Fiddle 2004: 1st Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Fiddle) 2004: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddle Contest 2004: 4th Place Florida Old-Time Music Championships: Banjo 2004: 3rd Place: Florida State Banjo Contest 2004: 1st Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Fiddle) 2001: 1st Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Fiddle) 2001: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Banjo) 2000: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Banjo)