Linda as a Musician

Linda Weber Collins grew up in the worlds of classical and church music. Her mother was a church organist. Linda began singing in the youth choir at the age of four and was studying both piano and cello by age 12. She performed with the Fort Myers Symphony in high school and won a music scholarship to Stetson University. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree at Florida State University, studying piano and cello and performing in the FSU Symphony.

While living in Ireland for 10 years, Linda studied traditional Irish singing. She sang and accompanied on guitar at choral competitions. Back in Florida, she learned to play mountain dulcimer and formed several folk and Irish bands, including The DoneyGals, Meíreacá and Toss the Feathers. A Florida State Champion on mountain dulcimer and in old-time singing, Linda has led workshops and performed at: Florida Folk Festival, Suwannee Dulcimer Retreat, Florida Acoustic Winter Gathering, Mountain Dulcimer Music Fest and Cranberry Gathering, both near Albany, NY; Nutmeg Dulcimer Festival in Milford, CT; Barberville (FL) Jamboree, Monticello (FL) Opera House, in chamber music concerts, at venues such as Shenanigans Restaurant and at church and benefit events. Since the pandemic, she has taught and performed via Zoom at several QuaranTUNEs, NGFDA Fall Festival and Dutchland Dulcimer Gathering.

In recent years, Linda was “reunited” with both the cello and piano. She continues her own study and performance of music. She is also a proud Leon Co. Schools Arts Mentor and Substitute Teacher with the Raa Middle School string program.

At Cabin Hill Music, Linda teaches mountain dulcimer, cello, piano, guitar and voice. Linda arranges music using Finale notation software and has published a highly-regarded dulcimer instruction series, Beyond the Basics: An Intermediate Course for Mountain Dulcimer and Songbook for Beyond the Basics. She published Melodies of the Scottish Isles and Mainland in 2020, followed by Melodies from the Celtic World, Tunes from the Roaring ‘20s and Celtic Duets in 2023.

In her role as Youth Music Director at Unity Eastside Church in Tallahassee, Linda returned full circle to her musical origins.

Linda as a Knitter / Fiber Artist

Linda came to the world of knitting and fiber quite naturally. Her father was the 4th generation owner of a uniform business in Buffalo, New York. Her mother was a seamstress and knitter. Her grandmother was a crocheter.

Over the years, Linda created sweaters, shawls, afghans, baby blankets, children's clothes, accessories and more. She sold her work at craft fairs and created wardrobes for family members and friends who live in colder climates.

Several years ago, Linda became very interested in knitting for people who live in the Florida climate. The resulting designs allow for ample air movement and rely on natural fibers such as cotton, linen and silk. Vintage fibers and yarns with texture and variations in color are favorites.

Her most memorable creations resulted from addressing pet peeves: cold, painful shoulders from over-cold air conditioning, shawls whose ends dangle in the dishwater, items that crease, garments that have to be turned right side out, silver necklaces that tarnish from contact with skin and always seem to require polishing.

Her unique 3-way wrap converts to three different accessories – shawl, cowl or shrug. Linda’s knitwear is reversible, often fastened out of the way with a button, and her jewelry is created with natural fibers rather than metal.

It's all about one-of-a-kind creations of comfort and vibrant color. Perfect for Zoom dressing as well.

In the midst of this pandemic, Linda opened her online knitwear shop, with help from many friends: Ben S. Johnson, who created Linda’s new logos and assisted her with web design; Bob O’Lary, who taught her product photography and digital editing; Donna Decker, who modeled some knitwear designs; Leonia Maresch, who provided exquisite jewelry props and was artistic director of photographic shoots; and Pamela Maston, who shared vintage yarns from her mother’s estate. Linda extends a big thanks to each of them.