Tap your toes to the fiddle tunes of the April Verch Band. The energetic trio takes classic country and combines it with bluegrass and swing to create an upbeat style and flavor.

Verch is an internationally touring Canadian fiddler, step dancer and singer/songwriter in the second decade of her career. She is fluent in folk traditions of both Canada and America. As a dancer and a musician, Verch combines the two in her stage performance. She also performed in the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Walterson started playing upright bass in college. He has played a variety of styles, from bluegrass to jazz. He more recently started playing the claw hammer banjo, adding melody to his sound. He has been a member of the April Verch Band since January 2007.

Griffin started playing guitar when he was 9 years old. As a teenager, Griffin won the Dan Emmett Flatpicking Competition two years in a row. He studied bluegrass and jazz and earned a B.A. in musical performance at Denison University, then went on to get a master's degree in contemporary improvisation at the New England Conservatory in 2012. Shortly after, he joined the April Verch band.

The band has recorded a new album, which will be released in April. Prior to launch, sneak peeks of the album are being released on the band's website,aprilverch.com.

April Verch Band

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, and Friday, Feb. 6

Where: Smith Recital Hall, Western Oregon University, 345 N Monmouth Ave., Monmouth

Cost: $25 in advance, $28 at the door, $11 students

Information: (503) 838-8333 or wou.edu/president/advancement/smith