Yellowknife (Nov 12/04) - The fiddle turns to magic in Jaime Rokeby-Thomas' hands and elementary school students latch quickly onto her vibes.

The instrument is contagious, making youth want to pick it up and start playing immediately -- exactly the effect organizer Brenda Dragon was hoping for.

"All people have to do is see and hear the fiddle and think, 'oh, I wish I could do that,'" said Dragon.

Nine to 10 years old is the perfect age to get kids interested, she added.

Dragon arranged for Rokeby-Thomas to come to Yellowknife from Salt Spring Island, Nov. 2-9, through Strings Across the Sky, a national organization that promotes fiddling in Northern communities.

NWT communities have been benefitting from the organization for years.

Rokeby-Thomas visited Range Lake North, K'alemi Dene and J.H. Sissons schools during her trip.

J.H. Sissons students were a captive audience during fiddle sessions Nov. 4.

Rokeby-Thomas, along with Yellowknife guitarist Bobbi Bouvier, explained some facts about the instrument and got the students clapping to the rhythm.

The trick to sending the kids home begging for fiddle lessons was in the music itself, Dragon said.

Ten-year-old Alwyn Landry caught the bug when he got to play a few notes on stage. David Mitchell was hooked just by listening.

"I liked the way it makes you feel like you want to dance," said the 11-year-old, who hopes to have the chance to take lessons.

The Strings Across the Sky sessions were held at functions across the city while the group was in town.

Rokeby-Thomas taught beginner, intermediate and adult lessons, as well putting on several performances.

The highlight for Dragon was a community fiddle dance and stew dinner, held at the Baker Community Centre last Friday night.