Music & Poetry: The Merchant Family & Patrick Amelotte

From high-speed fiddling to schmaltzy waltzes, the Merchant Family brings a fun blend of old-time fiddling and bluegrass music.

Both Ana and Rachel began learning classical violin at age five and now play violin with the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra. Both were Wyoming State Fiddle Champions in each age division, and now challenge each other as adults with entertaining performances. Their dad, Kim Merchant, enjoys backing the two up on guitar and banjo.

Alumni of The University of Wyoming, Ana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and Rachel recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physiology. Ana works part time as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and full time as a studio owner and teacher of WyoHarmonic Music Studio. Rachel is preparing for medical school entrance exams and applications. Kim is a retired school teacher, who fills his days with horseback riding, bee keeping, and giving banjo lessons. Kim’s love for bluegrass and old time fiddling is what made this family into the dynamic performers they are today.

Patrick Amelotte has taught in the English department at Casper College for twenty years. His classes have included Composition, True Crime, Introduction to Shakespeare, War Literature, and Poetry. A father of five, his life pulsates with the rhythms of family life – band concerts and soccer tournaments; Irish dance competitions and track meets. Sometimes, in the lull between one thing and the next, he writes.

Co-Sponsored by TownSquare Casper and the Wyoming Community Foundation – Casper.