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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Early this summer, 14-year-old violinist Elisa Hazenberg performed for an eclectic audience in downtown Yellowknife.

The sidewalk in front of Northern Images gallery on Franklin Avenue was her stage.

"Busking is for money but people do it to have fun and to let people know you can play," she said. "People seemed to like it. I was nervous, but, you know, it's a lot of fun."

Elisa picked up the fiddle three years ago while living in Fort Simpson.

She has since participated in three Kole Crook fiddle camps in Fort Smith, Fort Simpson and on the Hay River Reserve. She attended a fiddle camp on Salt Spring Island, B.C., as well.

After moving to Yellowknife in June she performed on stage during Aboriginal Day, Canada Day and in Old Town for the Ramble and Ride festival.

She also plays at Javaroma during the Saturday night open mics.

"I perform when I get the chance," she said. "I still get a little nervous but I'm not scared anymore."

Elisa said she likes experimenting with all kinds of music and plays a variety of styles well, but she prefers losing herself in a waltz.

"I enjoy playing slow songs more," she said. "It feels relaxing and you just get into it and forget about the bad things."

Elisa's mom, Gerta Hazenberg, is president of the Kole Crook Fiddle Association. She said she is pleased to have a violinist in the household.

"It's so great to hear that music," she said. "I just think fiddle music is such a happy sound and I think we need that happiness in our life."

Gerta served on the board of the association four years ago but became more deeply involved as her daughter's passion for fiddle grew.

In addition to the enjoyment of listening to Elisa play, the former elementary school teacher said she appreciates the other benefits that come with mastering an instrument.

"It's given her a depth and joy," Gerta said. "It gives her something to focus on. What it's done, too, is it has helped her relate to people of all ages."

Children love hearing Elisa play, Gerta said. She has also performed for seniors at the extended care facility in Fort Simpson.

"I think playing violin is a challenge and I like challenge," Elisa said. "You have to find the note yourself with the fingers on the strings without having the key right there. I like to learn by ear but recently I'm learning to read music. I'm hoping to go far with this and learn more."

Elisa is taking lessons from fiddle instructor Andrea Becker this fall. In January she will return to Fort Simpson to perform.