Beginning Flatpicking
In this class, we will explore the elements of flatpicking from the basic down-up right hand delivery, to cross-picking, rhythm ideas and back-up guitar techniques. This class will strive for a relaxed atmosphere which will encourage a non-competitive and musical experience in order to show how much fun this very conversational style of guitar playing can be. Written materials will accompany the class.

Intermediate Flatpicking
This class assumes that you have a little knowledge of the fretboard and can play some single note lines as a soloist. Fiddle tunes and fiddle tune variations are a plus but not a necessity as we work through more advanced techniques with ear training and written materials available as a guide to having fun and sounding good.

Melodic Songwriting
Class description to be provided soon.

Guitar Tricks for Songwriters
Class description to be provided soon.

Piedmont Masters (intermediate/advanced level)
Mary will bring some great blues and ragtime gems to the plate from the recordings of Rev. Gary Davis, Willie McTell, Memphis Minnie and others. All tunes will require basic fingerpicking skills (no flatpicks, please!) along with melody and alternating thumb. Students will learn pieces in different keys and in some cases, different tunings. Fingerpicking experience a must. Audio recording devices encouraged and tab handouts will be available.

Favorite Fingerpicking Arrangements (intermediate level)
Mary will share her favorite tunes, some originals and some standards, with the class. Requests will be considered (special orders sometimes don’t upset us!) Sometimes, it’s all about the guitar arrangements: how the melody plays out in different keys, how the bass lines connect the chord changes, how the rhythm is maintained during the solo, etc.  Mary will present a number of tunes that will teach your fingers how to be responsible members of the band. Fingerpicking experience a must. Audio recording devices encouraged and tab handouts will be available.

Songwriting
A one period lecture and individual writing assignments form the basis of the week's work. This method makes everyone a beginner, a good place for any artist to be. The group learns to become an "outer critic", most likely more accurate and more compassionate than the "inner critic." Bob takes emotional safety and artistic growth very seriously - but it's a fun and rewarding ride. All levels.

Old Time Clawhammer Banjo
This traditional Southern Mountain style has deep African roots and lots of rowdy potential. We'll build a repertoire of songs and tunes, work on lead and backup techniques and try a variety of tunings.

Practical Music Theory
Come have some serious fun! We'll study the nuts and bolts of how music fits together. Emphasis will be on understanding diatonic and chromatic scales, simple chord structures, chord progressions and musical vocabulary. All Levels

Filling in the Cracks
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

Intermediate Beginners Guitar
As a graduate of the beginning guitar level, Bennett will take you to the next step. You'll become more familiar with the 1, 4 &5 chords within different keys. This will give you the opportunity to learn a new skills, chords and 11,346 bits of cool new understanding for the week. Bring a favorite song with you. Tape Recorder encouraged.

The Art of Community Singing
Come sing with Kim and Reggie ala Pete Seeger. In this class we will teach the art of singing together and explore a few musical questions. How do you lead songs and introduce new music to a group? What is the etiquette of such a gathering (as opposed to a song swap or round robin)? What about singing harmony in the midst of group singing?

Performance from the Ground Up
Whether you perform 100 shows a year or simply love to sing for your mom and her cat, this course will help you improve, expand and focus your performance skills. We will explore some key questions with examples, discussion and constructive, gentle evaluation. Together we will guide each other to make time on stage more fulfilling, fun and exciting for you - and your audiences.

Fiddle
Being from the "loving-all-kinds-of-fiddling-styles" school, I would like to offer a class on the language of fiddle styles. What makes an Irish tune sound Irish? (and how do they make those neat ornamental sounds?), an old-time tune sound old timey? (rhythm with the bow, emphasis on the correct syllable), How do those Quebecois fiddlers do that thing with their feet and fiddle at the same time? All questions answered and new techniques taught to help you on your journey.

Mandolin
This is an instrument that is so much fun to play, but don't tell anyone: we must keep our secret safe! This class will cover chords galore, rhythm in the right hand, tremolo technique, samples of music composed for mandolin by notable classical composers, and care and feeding of your mandolin habit.

Working On Both Sides of the Microphone
Learn the basics of sound reinforcement. Where do I put this thing? Is this hot? Can you make me sound like Tina Turner? Seriously though, come get some hands on experience in learning how to use a sound system and go with the flow.

Clogging
Learn the basic steps (and a couple fancy combinations too) of Appalachian clogging. This style has its roots in British Isles, African and Native American dance. Clogging is characteristic of stepping done at kitchen, porch and barn dances in rural areas. These classes will highlight flatfoot and buckdance steps as well as some more contemporary styles. "Live" music will be a part of these energetic sessions and stepping will be worked into some square and circle dance choreography. Having fun with the dance is our goal, and all ability levels are welcome.

Beginning Guitar
Tuning the guitar, learning how to hold it, and strumming chords "in rhythm" is where this class will begin. Folks who have never played as well as beginning guitarists are welcome. We will cover playing to accompany songs as well as session tunes. Bass runs and dynamics will also be practiced. Before we are through we hope to get everyone to play a blues run or a rock and roll riff...enough to make you want to play more.

Vocal Coaching
In this workshop I will share my experience as a singer, songwriter and performer; the discovery of one's music and the expression of one's self through the voice. The class will be an exploration, helping to find each person's individual voice and then releasing it. We will use a combination of discussion, movement, relaxation and sounding techniques. We will do vocal warm-ups and work-outs, and I will help each individual to develop a personal daily singing practice. for singers and non-singers alike.

Adventuresome Guitar for Songwriters
This workshop is designed for guitar playing songwriters who are looking to spice up their songs with new guitar ideas. If you feel like your guitar skills have reached a plateau, or if you’ve ever wondered if there is music beyond the first four frets on your guitar, then this workshop is for you! We’ll explore new frontiers: moving chords up the neck, walking or alternating bass lines, and playing melody with chords. We will develop a “tool kit” of skills for you to draw on as you write and arrange your songs. This is a tangible, hand's-on workshop with lots of playing. The topics will be taught in the context of song examples. This workshop is best suited for players with knowledge of all the basic 1st position chords (eg. C, C7, A, A7, Am, G, G7, E, E7, Em, D, D7, Dm, F, Bm, B7).

Intermediate Fingerstyle Guitar
Get your fingerpicking groove going in this workshop that focuses on alternate-bass picking (Travis-style) and bass-drone picking (Broonzy-style). The goal will be getting the thumb to keep independent rhythm while the other fingers pick out a melody over the chords. You’ll learn new techniques through songs in the style. From backup chording to melody, from steady bass to picking pattern fills, this incredible technique sounds fresh in any musical style. This hand's-on workshop will have lots of playing and is best suited for those who have a beginning understanding of fingerpicking and are comfortable with the basic 1st position chords (eg. C, C7, A, A7, Am, G, G7, E, E7, Em, D, D7, Dm, F, Bm, B7).