Oklahoma native, Betty Schoonover, has been playing the violin since the age of four. She started her formal studies in her hometown of Ardmore, Oklahoma and at age fifteen was accepted in to the studio of head violin professor of the University of Oklahoma, Felicia Moye. At eighteen, Betty began playing bluegrass fiddle and later moved to Nashville where she had lessons with world renowned jazz violinist Tracy Silverman, Jason Carter of the Del McCoury Band and Casey Driessen who has played with the Zac Brown Band, Tim O’Brien and many more. Betty has also been a guest on the Byron Berline show at the Double Stop Fiddle Shop in Guthrie, Oklahoma. She has recorded with members of Ricky Skaggs’s band, Kentucky Thunder and has performed with Natalie Grant, Casting Crowns, Avalon, Michael English, B.B. King, Mac McAnally, jazz singer Cassandra Wilson, Paul Overstreet, Shannon McNally, The Williams Brothers, the North Mississippi Allstars, Benjamin Wright, Swedish sensation, Beatrice and many more. She performed on the televised tribute to songwriter Ben Peters where she performed with Charlie Pride and Jimmy Fortune. She has also subbed for the San Juan Symphony.
Betty is certified in both Suzuki and O’Connor methods and has been teaching violin for 25 years to students ages 4 to 70. She currently has a studio in Lone Grove, Oklahoma.