Len Springer

Len Springer serves as instructor for the university's traditional music bluegrass ensemble. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University, a Master of Education from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from The Pennsylvania State University at University Park. Dr. Springer toured extensively in North America, Europe, and Asia as fiddler for Brenda Lee in the 1980s. He also performed as fiddler for several Nashville-based country and bluegrass singers including Donna Fargo, Ray Price, and Ronnie Reno. Following a 12-year touring career, Dr. Springer published research on teaching and learning in higher education, holding appointments at Penn State and the University of Wisconsin Madison. While in Madison, Dr. Springer founded and directed Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass in the Schools, a program that taught middle and high school choir and orchestra students how to play a bluegrass instrument and perform in a bluegrass band. Before moving to Louisiana, Dr. Springer created 23 bands comprised of students in the Madison area.

After moving to the Lafayette area in 2000, Dr. Springer co-founded and directed the South Louisiana Bluegrass Association, which gained more than 700 members and held a concert series featuring national and regional bluegrass performers at Acadian Village for five years. He also coordinated open jam sessions and workshops as part of the series. Simultaneously, Dr. Springer founded and led the Louisiana Purchase Bluegrass Band, which performed regularly at Acadian Village and other regional venues. Dr. Springer has instructed and performed on fiddle, bass, and mandolin with UL Lafayette's bluegrass ensemble since 2014. These ensembles, including Vermilion Express and the Vermilion Heirs, have consistently gained accolades from their audiences based on their online videos and performances both on and off campus.