Philippe Varlet has been performing and teaching Irish music in the Washington DC area for over 30 years. While his primary instrument is the fiddle, Philippe is also proficient on the bouzouki, mandolin, tenor banjo, and guitar, and also gives beginning lessons on B/C button accordion. Over the years, Philippe has performed at the White House, the Irish Embassy, the National Geographic Society, the Smithsonian Institution, and other venues in the Washington D.C./Baltimore area, as well as at local festivals, ceilis and fleadhs, and countless private events, weddings, parties, etc. A past member and leader of the Silver Spring-based Blackthorn Ceili Band during the 1990s, Philippe has a wealth of experience playing for dancers in social and performance settings. Currently, Philippe can be heard most often playing at the Bethesda Irish pub Ri-Ra on Sunday afternoons (3-7pm).

Over the years, Philippe has taught many students of all ages in his home studio in Silver Spring, MD. Whether students are beginners or advanced students, Philippe passes on his knowledge of the intricacies of the Irish traditional style (including improvisation), following a progressive curriculum he has tested and perfected over the years.

Private lessons are $60 for one hour and are held in Silver Spring (metro accessible). Please call (301)270-9090 or contact the lessons coordinator by email.