About
Alec Barker is a passionate performer, teacher, arranger, and audio engineer. His musical voice is grounded in the fiddle, guitar, and other stringed instruments. On stage, Alec takes a modern and experimental approach to the traditional bluegrass style. As a teacher, he illuminates a path of fun and discovery while challenging students to find improvement through consistency and positive self-reflection. His philosophy of music combines virtuosity and musicianship with groove and simplicity.
Alec is a founding member and fiddle player of the Utah-based progressive bluegrass band, The Pickpockets. This group has created a new dynamic by substituting the banjo with electric guitar. While remaining true to bluegrass, they bring aspects of southern and classic rock, singer-songwriter, jam band, and funk into the fold.
A Florida native, now based in Salt Lake City, Alec can be found performing on stage and in studio across Utah. He is a graduate of the DePauw University School of Music and the Southern Utah University Master of Music in Music Technology program.
Alec plays on a Jonathon Cooper 5-string violin, a German-made Franz Sandner violin, and a Martin D-18 guitar. He recommends Grace Designs Preamps, Bartlett Fiddle Mics, Ithaca Stringed Instrument Pick-ups by Eric Aceto, and Walrus Audio effects.
Lessons
Alec is available to teach private violin, fiddle, and acoustic guitar lessons online, or in person in Salt Lake City, Utah. Students of all ages, skill levels, and styles should inquire. If you are serious about improving your technical skills, musicianship, and literacy on a weekly schedule, fill out the contact form to get started!
Session Work
If you need fiddle or violin added to your recording session, Alec is available for hire. He has experience with bluegrass, country, jazz, classical, and singer-songwriter sessions. You can have him play in your live studio session in the Salt Lake City area, or he can record remotely from home. Fill out the contact form to get started!
