Cassidy grew up immersed in live music — ranging from rock, bluegrass, classical, and country. Starting out at the age of 7, she was classically trained on violin and soon felt the pull of old-time music when she was a student in the JAM program in Bryson City, NC. While going to college in Boone, NC, Appalachian fiddle music quickly became an important ingredient in life for Cassidy — going to fiddler’s conventions, learning regional tunes and building community with other musicians. And going full circle, Cassidy now teaches for JAM in Floyd. Cassidy’s experiences as a violin/fiddle teacher and her journey to old-time Appalachian music continue to deepen her commitment to sharing and passing on these traditions.