Classical Training,
Sophisticated Fiddling

From the Conservatory to the “Nashville Cats”

Cadek Conservatory of Music - University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
At the early age of 3, Meredith was accepted into the prestigious Cadek Conservatory of Music where she studied classical violin and music theory under the tutelage of Andy Lee, Brad Harbuck, June Stinson, and Todd Harmon.

Private Study with Crystal Plohman-Weigman - Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music
By middle school, Meredith was studying advanced technique and improvisation with Crystal Plohman-Weigman, fiddle virtuoso, noted author, composer, and Senior Artist Teacher of Suzuki Violin and Fiddling at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music.

Private Study with Buddy Spicher, Member - Country Music Hall of Fame
When her performances at fiddle contests and festivals caught the eye of Country Music Hall of Famer Buddy Spicher, Meredith found her mentor. Spicher’s trademark double-stops, fiddle harmonies, and the eclectic blend of bluegrass, jazz, country, rock and swing he perfected while touring with Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe, the Osborne Brothers, Ray Price, Hank Snow, Faron Young, the Nashville Symphony, and Crystal Gayle had a profound impact on Meredith’s fiddling style. Spicher is perhaps best known as a member of the legendary crew of session musicians known as the “Nashville Cats.” Echos of the hundreds of recordings he made with fellow stars ranging from Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Roger Miller, Charley Pride, Marty Robbins, Hank Thompson, and Bob Wills to Joan Baez, Elvis Presley, The Monkees, JJ Cale, and George Strait can still be heard in Meredith’s music today.

Private Study with Hunter Berry, Bluegrass Virtuoso
Meredith honed her traditional (and sometimes not-so-traditional) bluegrass chops with multi-award winning American fiddle virtuoso Hunter Berry. Known best for his current touring role with Rhonda Vincent, Berry’s high-energy fiddling career includes stints with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and multiple wins as SPBGMA Fiddle Player of the Year.

Private Study with Stephen Panchaud, Assistant Concert Master - Chattanooga Symphony
Meredith credits the late Stephen Panchaud for igniting her passion for advanced violin and bowing technique. A graduate of both the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London and the Hoschschule fur Musik in Vienna, Panchaud was a devoted teacher and longtime member of the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, serving as Assistant Concert Master from 2012 until his death.

Private Study with Michael Smartt - Murphreesboro, TN
Embracing her bluegrass roots from an early age, Meredith studied with multi-instrumentalist and gifted instructor Michael Smartt. A globetrotting musician, Smartt has celebrated Tennessee’s bluegrass and old-time fiddle traditions from Europe to the Grand Ole Opry, including feature performances during the 1996 Olympics.

Private Study with Willard Hamilton - Jasper, TN
Willard Hamilton played fiddle with Meredith’s late father Spencer “Todd” Goins and is responsible for her first bluegrass fiddle lessons, her love of fine violins and bows, and a lifetime of trusted advice, instruction and guidance. He can still be heard playing gigs around Tennessee and remains a personal mentor and close friend of the family.

East Tennessee State University - Johnson City, TN
Bachelor of Science - Public Health, Microbiology
Minor in Bluegrass Music

Meredith played fiddle in the prestigious Pride of ETSU Bluegrass Band while earning her degree.

Certified Violin/Fiddle Instructor - Mark O’Connor Teaching Method for Violin and Fiddle

Luthier - Apprenticed with Master Violin Builder Jim Humble

Notable Performances

• Grand Ole Opry “Tribute to Roy Acuff” with Vasser Clements, Aubrey Haynie, Daniel Carwile and Charlie Collins

• 2-Time National Champion for Country Fiddle by the age of 12

• Chattanooga Symphony Guest Soloist - Memorial Day Pops Concert

• Earnest Tubb’s Midnight Jamboree on WSM Radio with George Hamilton, V

• Guest appearances with Vasser Clements at The Station Inn - Nashville, TN

Guest Appearances with:

• Vasser Clements

• The Boxcars

• Buddy Spicher

• Aubrey Haynie

• Darryl Webb Band

• Larry Sparks

• Pine Mountain Railroad

• Jeff Brown

• Tom Morgan

• Wayne Henderson

• Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain

• Goodwin Brothers