Sound Reinforcement
We will learn real world sound skills and wander through some "big picture" theory without getting too technical. Much of what makes good sound is really basic: beat back hums and buzzes, set up your stage well, monitor levels in the right places, have good communication with the stage. Class tips and hands-on experience will come in handy at festivals, coffee houses, and home recording. Class members will be asked to crew on stage and be at the mixer for the final student concerts.

Melodic Songwriting
In the class, Cliff will listen to songs by the students, then suggest a chord change to make the melodies more interesting. Song structure, intros, outros, and bridges will be explored, and chord progressions of classic songs will also be taught so that when the course is over everyone has a new perspective of how to write melodies that stick with you.

Guitar for Songwriters
In this class, Cliff will teach songwriters how to arrange the song and the guitar part to make the song more interesting. Cliff will make the class available to all levels of Guitar/Songwriters.

Flatpicking Guitar
As always, we’ll study the basics of right hand pick technique and how they apply to playing fiddle tunes, bluegrass music, swing, and gypsy jazz with a flatpick. New students will find crucial foundational material. For returning students, this will serve as a reinforcement and continuation of previous years, with new tunes, exercises, and ideas.

Fingerstyle Guitar
We’ll consider the guitar as a solo fingerstyle instrument, and also look at the interplay of guitar and voice for the solo performer. We'll explore the charms of Drop D tuning, learn some tools for arranging our own tunes, and offer students the opportunity to present arrangements in a "master class" format. And we may try to answer the eternal question; “Can a fingerpicker jam with others?”

Delta Blues Classic (Intermediate)
The sound of the Mississippi Delta blues pervades American music of the last half-century, from R&B to Hip-Hop and Elvis Presley to the White Stripes. This intermediate-level class will look at pieces from some of the most influential artists of the 1920’s and 30’s including Charlie Patton, Son House, and Robert Johnson. We’ll work with rhythms, open tunings, left- and right-hand technique, and probably some slide. Bring a steel-string guitar and a bottleneck to class, and, of course, the recording device of your choice. For intermediate players who have some experience with finger-picking and can change chords readily.

East Coast Blues (Advanced)
The term East Coast blues (also known as Piedmont blues) encompasses a wide range of guitarists, but the piano-influenced style’s hallmark is a solid, alternating bass played by the thumb on the lower strings, with the fingers playing a syncopated melody on the treble strings. A list of the style’s best-known practitioners would include Blind Blake, the Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Boy Fuller, and even Mississippi John Hurt. We’ll look into the work of these and other players, using well-known pieces to gain insight into particular techniques of each artist’s style. Bring a steel-string guitar and the recording device of your choice to class. For advanced players with experience in this style of music. Finger and thumb picks optional.

Beginners Harmonica
This class is intended to introduce basic techniques, styles and approaches to the use of the harmonica in blues and folk music. Topics covered include playing in both 1st and 2nd positions, bends, trills, tremolo, rhythmic comping and other effects. Students are required to bring at least one harmonica in the key of C.

Advanced Harmonica
Take a leap for m Basic harmonica and start moving toward difficult techniques. Cross harping, more advanced work in different effects. The Art of being a sideplayer: Side Player Versus Leader aka - Check your ego at the door.

Filling in the Cracks for Guitar
Mostly for lazy guitar players who just want to spruce up what they already play without having to work very hard. Also perhaps, for more dedicated drop-ins needing a technical boost. All Levels

Beginning Guitar
Bennett is the consummate guitar teacher. He can teach any level. In his beginning guitar class, we hope you have taken some time to toughen tender finger tips and get ready to be reintroduced to this instrument you are trying so hard to learn.

Morning Song
We'll start each day with vocal warm-ups and wakeups. We'll then move to familiar and not-so-familiar songs for the fun of it. All levels are welcome. Come even if you feel less than confident about your singing.

Mountain Dulcimer
First time and experienced players will be encouraged and challenged with music selected by Lorraine according to each student's playing level. We'll play both from tab and by ear. If you want to take this class but don't have access to a dulcimer, please contact us in advance.

Advanced Mandolin
Carl will develop several areas of the mandolin by teaching some good tunes in several keys. He will work to improve right hand technique with a variety of exercises as well as teaching a basic understanding of music theory to encourage confidence "up the neck" and applying it to "backing" up"" songs and tunes. Carl will encourage improvisation and creativity while having too much fun. It is helpful if you have some knowledge of the mandolin prior to camp.

Vocal Harmony Class (includes Beverly Smith)
No partner required and you don't need to have a great voice but participants do need to be able to hold a pitch. This class will be mostly working with duet style singing.  We'll learn basic three part harmony theory and how to find parts for some familiar songs, and then we will move on to learning new songs in the duet style. Working with a duet partner, we'll learn to listen to another person, match quality, style and phrasing -- all those things that make for a great vocalist.

Mandolin Primer
This class is geared towards beginner mandolin students who want to familiarize themselves with the instrument in the context of jamming along with people. Beginning with a fun but relatively simple tune we will look at both a basic melody and the chords required to back it up.  From there we will take the basic chord pattern from this tune and move it to other keys expanding its applicability to chord progressions found frequently in folk music.  This class will also address fundamental mandolin conventions such as tremolo, the chop, and how to hold a pick.

Beginning Flatpicking Guitar
Strumming? Sure sometimes, but in the context of more country and bluegrass genres flat picking rhythm is king.  We will look at the rhythm guitar and really focus on tone, timing, and the runs that really make all the difference in coloring your backup rhythm playing.  Also in the class we will address the fundamentals of up-down flatpicking basic leads with a strong emphasis on intros and tags.

Fiddle
Beverly's fiddle class will focus on old time tunes from the southern mountains. We'll work with open tunings and bowing rhythms. We'll learn some cool versions of standard tunes and some unusual tunes as well. Some basic familiarity with the instrument is essential.

Vocal Harmony Class (includes Carl Jones)
No partner required and you don't need to have a great voice but participants do need to be able to hold a pitch. This class will be mostly working with duet style singing.  We'll learn basic three part harmony theory and how to find parts for some familiar songs, and then we will move on to learning new songs in the duet style.   Working with a duet partner, we'll learn to listen to another person, match quality, style and phrasing -- all those things that make for a great vocalist.

Voice/Vocal Health
Whether you want to sing Opera, Pop, Gospel, Musical Theater, Blues or Traditional Folk, your instrument is your voice, your body, your intelligence and your soul. Learn vocal technique through vocal exercise and breath management. Learn how to use breath energy to produce a free and effortless tone. Charles will share the tips and techniques that have kept him singing for forty years. You will reach into the depth of your own spirit to bring out the music that is unique to you.

Songwriting
A class for those who have written one or more songs and want more. We'll explore Initial ideas, Lyric-writing, Melody-writing, Accompaniment, Rhythm, Editing/finishing... a different facet every day. Bring at least one original song (with printed lyrics) for discussion and critique.

Guitar: Playing Music "You hear In Your Head"
Exploring the music "in your head" and making it happen on your guitar... immediately Getting out of musical ruts and away from habitual playing.  "Training" your ear, where you can KNOW what you're playing and even what chords, melodies, and bass-lines you're hearing on recordings or in live performance. Improving your skills for playing competently in jams, song-circles, and ensembles. Improving improvisational skills - replacing "muscle-memory" with musical freedom. "Connecting" more directly to your music, to not play "absent-mindedly" or by chance - but mindfully. Exploring melodic vs chordal & thinking – escaping the tyranny of The Almighty Chord. Touching on the big "M": Music Theory.... and how to separate the wheat from the chaff.