Here’s some of my favorite things. Additions to this page are ongoing!

Alter - historical violin mute
Gamut Music, Inc. - I use Academie gut strings.
Gusset & Gather - custom products for early musicians such as silk bags, short bow case supports, and more
Melos - Baroque violin rosin
Sarah’s Violin Bags LLC - custom silk bags for instrument protection by a Baroque violinist

Carolyn Foulkes at Perrin Violins - I had a fantastic experience purchasing my beautiful transitional bow from Carolyn, and she’s my go-to for instrument or bow advice. She is kind, flexible, and wonderfully knowledgeable. I can highly recommend her to any young professional string player looking for an honest and knowledgeable vendor for early instruments, bows, and equipment!

Dumanoir: 20 Orchestral Suites (mid 17th century; published 1906). This modernized edition of many of Dumanoir’s works (along with manuscript facsimiles) has continuo scored for piano. However, it can be easily transferred to a historical instrument.
Haydn: Scottish Songs Part 1 || Part 2, Hob.XXXIa:1-150 (1792-1795). I adore Haydn’s distinct musical fingerprint present throughout these folksy Scottish traditionals!
Soldt: Susanne von Soldt Manuscript (1599). This collection was was copied by an adolescent girl at the turn of the 17th century. It is also the earliest known collection of Dutch keyboard music before Sweelinck.
Various: The Hibernian Muse (late 18th century).
Various: Select Preludes and Voluntaries for the Violin (1705).
Various: Twelve English and Twelve Irish Airs with Variations (1746).

HISTORICAL

Geminiani: The Art of Playing on the Violin (1751).
Geminiani: A Treatise of Good Taste in the Art of Musick (1749). I love this treatise because it focuses on aesthetic and affect, which makes it a precious first-hand source on 18th century performance conventions.
Muffat: Georg Muffat on Performance Practice: The Texts from Florilegium Primum, Florilegium Secundum, and Auserlesene Instrumentalmusik (17th century, translated 20o1).
President Thomas Jefferson’s Music Library (compiled 18th and early 19th centuries).

CONTEMPORARY

Donington: The Interpretation of Early Music (1992).
Fader: Music, Dance and Franco-Italian Cultural Exchange c. 1700 (2021).
Ritchie: Before the Chinrest: A Violinist's Guide to the Mysteries of Pre-Chinrest Technique and Style (2012).
Watkins & Scott: From the Stage to the Studio (2012).

Early Music America
Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. The Convention was where I learned much of the folk music I still know and love. I highly recommend attending a TVOTFC convention if possible!

Pumpkin Marinara Sauce like this one. I’ve been addicted ever since eating a bowl of pumpkin-infused pasta in Mantova, Italy, where it’s a regional specialty. Serve with a crisp, cold vinaigrette salad and chardonnay (if you drink) or a fruity iced tea (if you don’t, like me!).
John Adams by David McCullough. One of the best books I have read, and the HBO series based on this book is masterful, and historically accurate.
Beehive Bathhouse. For several years, I have been purchasing my signature scent, Marshmallow Fluff, from this woman-owned small business in Hartselle, AL. Her products are of consistently high quality, and the scents are long-lasting, and honestly unlike anything else I have found. Other fave scents include “Amazing Grace,” “Volcano,” “Sweet Orange & Chili Pepper” and “Shake Your Pom Poms.” (And if you don’t see these on the website, they’ll custom-make whatever you like!)