Grace McManus has been playing the violin/fiddle for 15 years. Her first violin teacher was from the Bethlehem Area School District. This teacher poured the foundation for Grace’s musical future by teaching her violin discipline. By the time she had reached fourth grade, Grace began experimenting with folk music.

Grace then began studying at Moravian College with the fiddle player from the traditional Celtic band “Blackwater”. Grace then plunged head first into Celtic music. Before Grace had reached the age of 15, she had already won numerous competitions, performed in Moravian College’s orchestra, the Scottish Society of the Lehigh Valley, the Celtic Fest, and the Noltin River Fest in NJ. Recently, Grace McManus has performed in Washington, NJ for a mock “American Idol Competition” to raise money for troops going to Iraq.

Grace has also played in and helped organize a fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, which took place in the Bucks County area. Shortly after, Grace McManus competed in Washington, D.C., and returned home with the title, “Eastern Regional Fiddling Champion of the United States”. Grace is one of 5 other people in the United States with this title. She is planning on competing in the National Competition soon. Currently, Grace McManus is attending Moravian College, and working towards 2 bachelor degrees in Music Performance and Biochemistry. She regularly performs in Moravian College’s prestigious orchestra as 1st chair violinist.

Grace and her brother, Jimmy McManus, have also founded the McManus Band, and are just about ready to release their first CD. Grace loves working with aspiring violinists of all ages in hopes that she can spread her knowledge and love of music to the next generation. She currently teaches Violin at Saucon Valley Music. Private lessons are once a week for 45 minutes.