About Kai Gronberg

Short Bio:

Kai Gronberg is a champion fiddle player based in Vancouver, BC. With a longstanding presence in the Canadian Old Time fiddling scene, Kai has spent decades performing and teaching at fiddle camps, music schools, retreats, and workshops across the country, and has also served as a guest adjudicator at contests and festivals.

Kai is a three-time finalist at the Canadian Grand Masters and a three-time BC Provincial Champion. Regarded as a leader in the community, Kai is committed to building meaningful, lasting relationships with students and peers through both teaching and performance.

As a performer, Kai hopes to share authentic and creatively fulfilling representation of traditional fiddle music. As an instructor, Kai creates a welcoming, community-oriented environment that inspires students of all levels and ages.

Kai is also a co-founder of the Open Door Fiddlers, a youth performance group and organizer of fiddle events.

Beginnings:

Kai Gronberg grew up in Abbotsford, BC, beginning formal violin studies at age 4 at the Central Fraser Valley Academy of Music. At age 7, he joined the Central Fraser Valley Fiddlers, where he immersed himself in Canadian fiddle music. Through monthly dances and weekly practices, he learned numerous old-time Canadian tunes and honed his skills for many years.

Kai expanded his musical education by studying privately with great fiddle players such as Keith Wilson and Mike Sanyshyn, and attending fiddle camps. These experiences not only fostered his musical growth but also forged lasting friendships with fiddlers across Canada. Over a decade, camps like Camp Calvin, Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party, and the John Arcand Fiddle Fest provided opportunities to learn from esteemed fiddlers such as Calvin Vollrath, Mark Sullivan, Patti Kusturok, and Shane Cook.

In his youth, Kai performed with his sister Lia in their band, Fiddlin’ Frenzy. He has showcased his talents at various festivals and events, including the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Seattle’s Northwest Folklife Festival, Nanaimo’s Maple Sugar Festival, the Envision Coffee Series, Surrey Canada Day main stage, and even the Great Wall of China.

Performance:

Currently, Kai is an active performer across the Lower Mainland, involved in a wide range of musical projects. With extensive experience performing at weddings, private events, and live shows, Kai is equally at home as a featured artist or as a collaborative and reliable backup fiddler.

A versatile musician, Kai performs comfortably across a variety of styles. From traditional and Celtic fiddling to classical repertoire and contemporary genres. This adaptability allows Kai to meet the unique needs of each event, whether it’s providing music for multicultural weddings, high energy St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, or more intimate, refined settings.

Known for professionalism and flexibility, Kai takes pride in responding to the many demands of a working violinist, always aiming to create memorable experiences and leave audiences with lasting smiles.

Accolades:

Kai has an impressive resume in fiddle contests across Canada and the US. His accolades include being a three-time champion at the John Arcand Fiddle Fest, a two-time finalist at the Canadian Grand Masters, the Prairie West Fiddle Champion, and a three-time BC Provincial Champion.

Teaching:

Kai began teaching violin and fiddle at age 16, starting at A&D Music in Abbotsford and later at the Central Valley Academy of Music. He directed group lessons at the Mamele'awt Community Indigenous Centre to engage Indigenous students in traditional fiddle music and has instructed at Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party, Gavin Lake Fiddle Camp, and has been invited as a guest instructor to many youth groups across Canada.

Based in Vancouver and serving the metro area, Kai is dedicated to inspiring and sharing his passion for Canadian old-time fiddle music. As an enthusiastic educator, his mission is to foster and strengthen the local fiddle community. Central to Kai’s teaching philosophy are principles of creating a welcoming, inspiring, non-judgmental, and encouraging environment to nurture students’ musical growth. He prides himself on adaptability, tailoring lessons to meet the unique needs and interests of each student. Kai is an LBTQIA2S+ ally and prides himself in teaching a diverse group of students.

Currently, Kai teaches privately and at Open Door Music School. He frequently serves as a guest instructor and adjudicator at various fiddle camps and workshops nationwide. Alongside Michael Burnyeat, Kai co-directs and founded the Open Door Fiddlers—a weekly performance group aimed at educating students and preserving fiddle music. This initiative focuses on learning core fiddle tunes across styles, techniques, and cultures, creating arrangements, and refining performance skills. The Open Door Fiddlers provide a supportive environment where students learn common jam tunes, are encouraged to contribute creatively, and connect with fellow Vancouver fiddlers. The group includes Junior and Senior Youth groups, as well as an Adult group. The Open Door Fiddlers also host workshops, and have included guest instructors such as Calvin Vollrath, Pierre Schryer, Trent Freeman, and Alisdair Fraser & Natalie Haas.

Projects:

In 2024, Kai began “Kai’s tune a day livestream”, a livestream via Instagram, where Kai plays a fiddle tune each day in the calendar year, and then uploads to YouTube, and Instagram. This project was started to share some of his favourite tunes, challenge himself by making it “live” - no re-do’s, begin his personal “tune list”, and to hopefully collaborate with some of his many talented traditional music playing friends & peers.