Bluegrass Fiddler Michael Cleveland Leads Off Arts in Bloom Season
BLOOMSBURG, PA (08/21/2024) — Renowned bluegrass fiddler Michael Cleveland will kick off Commonwealth University's Arts in Bloom 2024-25 season on Thursday, Sept. 12. Cleveland will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall.
From an early age, Michael Cleveland heard old-time and bluegrass music at local jams and festivals near his hometown of Henryville, Indiana. His grandparents hosted regular bluegrass gatherings at the American Legion, and at age four, he began playing the fiddle. He attended the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville, where he learned the Suzuki violin method. Cleveland had always dreamed of leading his own band. In 2006, he formed Flamekeeper, seven-time recipients of the IBMA's "Instrumental Group of the Year" award, including Josh Richards, Nathan Livers, Jasiah Shrode, and Chris Douglas.
In addition to touring with his band, Cleveland has performed with a legendary list of bluegrass greats: Bela Fleck, Tommy Emmanuel, Billy Strings, Vince Gill, and more. Widely considered the bluegrass fiddler of his generation, Cleveland has been recognized 12 times as the IBMA's Fiddle Player of the Year and in 2018 was inducted into the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame. In 2019, he won a GRAMMY for his album Tall Fiddler, and in 2022, he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship.
Other headliners in the Arts in Bloom 2024-25 season include:
- Ailey II Dance Company, Saturday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m., Haas Center, Mitrani Hall
- Melt, rock ensemble, Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., Haas Center, Mitrani Hall
- Mutts Gone Nuts, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, 7:30 p.m., Haas Center, Mitrani Hall
- Ensemble Mik Nawooj, Hip Hop Orchestra, Saturday, March 1, 2025, 7:30 p.m., Haas Center, Mitrani Hall
- Aaron Diehl Jazz Trio, Saturday, April 5, 2025, 7:30 p.m., Carver Hall, K.S. Gross Auditorium
- Reduced Shakespeare Company, All the Great Books (Abridged), Friday, May 2, 2025, Carver Hall, K.S. Gross Auditorium.
Tickets and information are available at commonwealthu.edu/arts-in-bloom.
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Michael Cleveland with his band.