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"Big Eyed Rabbit", performed by The April Verch Band (www.aprilverch.com) at the Institute of Musical Traditions (www.imtfolk.org), Takoma Park, Maryland, USA on December 4, 2013.

April Verch doesn't just perform music, she exudes it. The internationally renowned Canadian fiddler, singer, songwriter and stepdancer has a passion for performing and her goal is to touch the lives of those who are listening at any given moment. "The world is this amazing puzzle that we can't fully understand and music is the joy that pulls it all together and helps us make sense of it," says Verch, with a dynamic excitement and confidence that makes you believe her in a heartbeat.

Verch was born to traditional music in Canada's hard-working, hard-dancing Ottawa Valley. She was a local star at four, step dancing with her sister and winning awards at contests. She became the first woman in history to win both of Canada's most prestigious fiddle championships, the Grand Masters and Canadian Open; and when Canada hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, she was asked to represent her country's music at the opening ceremonies.

Sound: Art Isaacs, Dave Eisner, Dave Richardson, Nate Belasco

Camera: Dick Tufts, Kate Tufts, Laura Christoplos, Jim Ralph, Tim Twomey

Editing: Ralph Lillie

© 2013, Institute of Musical Traditions