Bio

Folksinger & fiddler from the lakelands of Duluth, Minnesota

Kyle Orla is a multi-faceted strings player from Duluth, Minnesota. Equally versed as a solo artist as he is as a music collaborator, his fingerstyle guitar work and folk fiddling have become well-lit fixtures in clubs and dance halls across the upper-midwest. 

In late 2018 Kyle was awarded a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council to record and release,”Used To Wear That Old Straw Hat, but Now You Wear the Crown“, his first full-length solo album of American folksongs. He and Charlie Parr collaborated on the title track of Ollah’s 2016 EP, “Wouldn’t Mind Working From Sun to Sun“,  as well as Parr’s Red House Records EP, “I Ain’t Dead Yet“. You can also catch Kyle performing old rags and blues with MPLS folk musician, Mumbln’ Drew, and oftentimes fiddling for folk dances with Four Mile Portage and Merila Hill.

He is currently teaching online and in-person music lessons through k.o.stringworks. His studio is located in the Duluth Folk School, where he also restores and resells vintage instruments.

Recordings

RECORDINGS

Videos

VIDEOS

Teaching

Kyle Orla StringWorks is a small studio located in the Duluth Folk School. He offers personalized private instruction and also specializes in the restorations of vintage instruments.

Kyle teaches a number of instruments from a wide cast net of traditions. He provides lessons for guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, uke and upright bass, and he loves to offer his insights on learning music by ear, through notation, and music theory. Lessons are held at his studio harbored in the Duluth Folk School, but are also offered via Zoom. Individual, group and family rates available upon request.

Outside of the studio Kyle is often featured as an artist-in-resident at schools and for organizations. He explores a large range of workshops in American string styles and the ties that bond music and culture.

K.O. StringWorks also offers instrument repair and restoration, and is a dealer of John Pearse guitar strings. Please feel to reach out for a quote!

Click here for a full teaching resume.

Contact Kyle to inquire about teaching availability, opportunities, and rates.

Feedback about Kyle’s teaching…

“Kyle’s relaxed teaching style makes it fun AND I learned lots about the banjo and music theory”

“Kyle was able to pay attention to all students and provide helpful feedback, encouragement and enthusiasm.”

“I liked the progress that we all made during the week — we played a song together!”

“The group setting is very helpful to me. I enjoyed learning from the instructor and also being carried by the group. Excellent format.”

“Excellent communication and presentation skills, kept things moving and interesting.

Events

There are no upcoming events.


Past Events:

Date: December 9, 2018
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
Location: Duluth, MN 55806

Ursa Minor Brewing

Contact

For additional information, please  fill out the form below:

 

Bookings:
[email protected]
@facebook.com/k.o.stringworks

Lessons:
[email protected]
#k.o.stringworks Instagram