U.S. Fiddle Camps & Workshops, A-L

U.S. Fiddle Camps & Workshops, A-L

(To be listed, please email your camp info to info@fiddle.com)

Note: Many of these listings need to be updated, but meanwhile, the dates generally only vary a day or two year to year. Please check the camps’ websites for details on current and upcoming programs.

The Acadia Trad Festival, to be held June 28-July 3, 2020, is a week of classes, workshops, concerts, community dances and music sessions held at the College of the Atlantic campus on the shores of Frenchman Bay in Bar Harbor, Maine. The 2019 Acadia Trad Festival will focus on Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Acadian, and Québecois music and dance styles, and boasts a world-class faculty. Major classes are offered in fiddle, songs & accompaniment, bodhran, guitar, harp, cello, flute, whistle, accordion, dance, and fiddle-making. Additional instruments and genres are offered as afternoon workshops. For more information, and to register or purchase concert tickets, please visit https://acadiatradschool.org.

Acoustic Music Camp, Dallas, Texas, August 6-8, 2015. Fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, vocals. Fiddle instructors: Jim “Texas Shorty” Chancellor, Nate Lee… Info: (214) 236-0783; http://AcousticMusicCamp.com

Alasdair Fraser’s Sierra Fiddle Camp, June, Nevada City, CA. Fiddle instructors include Alasdair Fraser, Jeremy Kittle, Hanneke Cassel… Info: www.alasdairfraser.com

Allegheny Echoes Workshops, Pocahontas County, West Virginia, June. Fiddle (T.J. Lundy, Danny Arthur…), mandolin, bass, dulcimer, guitar flatpicking, voice, creative writing, etc. Info: www.alleghenyechoes.com

Appalachian String Band Music Festival, Clifftop, West Virginia, June. Info: West Virginia Division of Culture & History; (304) 558-0220, ext. 123; www.wvculture.org/stringband

Ashokan Music & Dance, Catskill Mountains, New York. Come celebrate our 40th Anniversary! 2020 Camps: Old Time Rollick, April 24-26; Scottish String Fling, May 1-3; Western & Swing Week, June 28-July 4; Northern Week, July 19-25; Bluegrass Camp, Aug. 10-14; Family Camp, Aug 3-7; Southern Week, Aug. 16-22; New Years Weekend, Dec. 29-Jan 1; and more! Since 1980 our camps have been a destination and a home-away-from-home for music and dance enthusiasts of all ages who are eager to delve deeper into tradition and self-expression. Work exchange, youth discounts and scholarships are available. For more information: (845) 246-2121; camps@ashokancenter.org or http://ashokan.org

Augusta Heritage Center, Elkins, West Virginia. Cajun/Creole Week (Beth Chrisman, Jason Frey, Michelle Kaminsky, Mitch Reed, Kevin Wimmer…), July 7-12, 2019; Old-Time Week (Tatiana Hargreaves, Ben Nelson, Justin Robinson, Emily Schaad), July 14-19, 2019; Bluegrass Week (Kimber Ludiker, John Mailander, Patrick McAvinue), July 21-26, 2019; October Old Time Week & Fiddlers Reunion (Dave Bing, Rachel Eddy, Annie Stroud), Oct. 13-18, 2019. Info: Augusta Heritage Ctr., Davis & Elkins College, Elkins, WV 26241, (800) 624-3157, ext. 1209; http://augustaheritagecenter.org

Banjo-Fiddle Frolic old-time music retreat, Bryson City, NC, March 31-April 2, 2017. Workshops in fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and more. Workshop hosts are the South Carolina Broadcasters, The Freight Hoppers, and Michael Ismerio. Registration ends March 16.

http://www.frankleeandallieburbrink.com/banjo-fiddle-frolic

Berklee College of Music Summer String Program, Boston, Mass. Global String Intensive: June 22-26, 2015. Roots Weekend: June 26-28, 2015. Instructors include Bruce Molsky, Darol Anger, Jason Anick, Matt Glaser, many more. Many other summer programs available. Info: https://www.berklee.edu/summer/programs

Berkshire Summer Strings, July 13-17, 2015, French Park, North Egremont, Massachusetts.
Director: Erika Ludwig. Instructors: Mia Friedman (fiddle, banjo), Ariel Friedman (cello, viola), Aldo Lavaggi (fiddle), Jordan Tice (guitar), Jeffrey Lewis (mandolin). Programs: Youth Program during the day and Adult Program in the evenings. More information, contact info and registration: www.berkshiresummerstrings.com

Bethel Spring Adult Fiddle Camp, April 18-21, 2018, Bethel, Missouri. Fiddle instructors include Charlie Walden. Info: http://fiddlecamp.missourifiddling.com/ADULT_CAMP.html

Bethel Youth Fiddle Camp, June 17-26, Bethel, Missouri. Celebrating 32 years of fiddlin’ fun! Instructors include Vesta Johnson and Steve Hall. Info: http://fiddlecamp.missourifiddling.com/KIDS_CAMP.html or contact camp director Wendy Brumbaugh at wendyinbethel@gmail.com or
660-651-2718.

Bluegrass Jam Camps, various locations and dates in 2020. Wernick Method classes are available in many locations throughout the U.S. Check website to find one near you! Info: Pete Wernick, www.DrBanjo.com

Blue Ridge Old-Time Music Week, Mars Hill, North Carolina, June 7-13, 2015. Fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, dulcimer, storytelling. Info/registration: Mars Hill College Conferences Office, P.O. Box 6785, Mars Hill, NC 28754, (828) 689-1167; http://www.mhu.edu/oldtimemusic

Bluff Country Gathering, Lanesboro, Minnesota, May 14-17, 2015. Instructors include Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones, Roger Cooper, L. Scott Miller, Dwight Lamb, Joseph Decosimo, Pop Wagner… Workshops in fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, old time singing, clogging, plus concerts and barn dance. For info: Gail Heil at 507-498-5452, http://www.boveeheil.com/bluff-country-gathering.htm

Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School, Thompson Island, Boston, Mass. August 9-15, 2015. A residential camp for all ages, all instruments, and all levels, with emphasis on traditional Scottish/Cape Breton tunes for fiddle. Fees include 6 nights in comfortable dorm rooms, all meals, music instruction, parties, concerts, ferry service to Thompson Island, and limitless Scottish musical enjoyment. In addition to fiddle classes on six levels, piano, accordion and guitar, we offer electives, parties, jam sessions, dancing for all with sit-in bands, and Visitors’ Day. Teachers for 2015 include Alasdair White (Battlefield Band – Scottish Fiddle), Katie McNally (Contemporary Scottish Fiddle), Cynthia MacCleod (PEI fiddle), Sandy Brechin (Scottish Accordion). Info: http://scottishfiddleschool.org/

Brian Wicklund’s Fiddle Pal Fiddle Camp: Come enjoy and be inspired during 4 days of instruction by some of the country’s top teachers. Learn fiddle, mandolin, bass or guitar. Evening activities include a barn dance, jamming at local restaurants, a student recital and an instructors’ concert on the last night. June 16-19, 2015 in Stillwater, MN; or June 23-26 in Madison, Wisconsin; Aug. 18-21 in Newton, Mass. See www.fiddlepal.com for registration and information.

California Bluegrass Association Music Camp, Grass Valley, California, June 14-17, 2015. Intensive instrumental classes, jam group classes, and many electives. Followed by Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival. Info: 707-878-2415; www.cbamusiccamp.org

California Coast Bluegrass Camp, Placer County, California, July 5-11 and July 12-18, 2015. Workshops for many instruments/styles. Info: 650-306-0399; www.musiccamp.org

Camp Bluegrass July 17-22, 2016 at South Plains College, Levelland, Texas. Featuring Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys. Instructors: Alan Munde, Raymond McLain, Bill Evans, Ned Luberecki, Dede Wyland, Steve Smith, Anne Luna, Roland White, Diane Bouska, Elliott Rogers, Nate Lee, Tim May, Ivan Rosenberg, Chris Sanders, Gerald Jones. Info: http//campbluegrass.com

John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, North Carolina. Weeklong and weekend classes taught by nationally-known instructors. Fiddle, banjo, mountain & hammered dulcimer, guitar, folk harp, harmnica, dance. Info: 800-FOLK-SCH; www.folkschool.org

Cascadia Irish Music Week, Evergreen College, Olympia, Washington, July 19-25, 2020. Instructors include Randal Bays, Antoin MacGabhann and Nathan Gourley, fiddle. Also flute, harp, concertina, banjo, guitar, button accordion, sean-nos and set dancing. Info: cascadiairish.org

Catskills Irish Arts Week, East Durham, New York. July 13-18, 2015. Fiddle, flute, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, harp, Irish folk songs, guitar, button accordion, bodhran, concertina, tenor banjo, mandolin, piano accompaniment, set dancing, ceili dancing, Gaelic language, Irish music history. Info: P.O. Box 320, Rt. 145, East Durham, NY 12423 ; (800) 434-FEST; irish@francomm.com. catskillsirishartsweek.org

Celtic Fiddle Camp, The Old Avoca Schoolhouse, Avoca, Nebraska, March 18-20, 2020, 9 a.m. to noon. For fiddlers, violists, mandolinists, guitarists, recorder players, and ukulele players. Music from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales will be featured. The sessions will be led by championship fiddler and author, Deborah Greenblatt. One day: $60; two days: $110; three days: $150. Sign up for one, two, or three days. For more information, and to register, email Debby at debby@greenblattandseay.com or visit greenblattandseay.com/schoolhouse_fiddle_camp.shtml

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, O’Neill-Malcom Branch, Washington, DC, MAD Week: July 6-10, 2015. Instrumental, singing, and dance classes for all ages and levels. http://www.ccepotomac.org

13th annual Creative Strings Workshop – Columbus, OH, June 28-July 4, 2015. The Creative Strings Workshop provides string players age 14 and up a week of immersion in study and performance of improvisational music including jazz, rock, world music, and fiddle styles. The Creative Strings Workshop offers you the opportunity to hone your skills and perform live in small groups alongside world-class artists. Our faculty includes world-class string players such as Billy Contreras, Jason Anick, Alex Hargreaves, Robert Anderson, Christian Howes, and many more. For all the details, go to http://christianhowes.com. Otterbein University, Westerville, OH 43081. Christian Howes: 614.332.8689; chris@christianhowes.com.

Colorado Roots Music Camp. May 31-June 6 and Aug. 9-15, 2015. Come join us for a week of bluegrass, folk, blues, swing, jazz, Irish, old-time, flatpicked and fingerstyle guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bass, singing, learning and fun! Instructors include Rose Flanagan, Gretchen Priest… Class sizes are small, with an average of 10:1 student teacher ratio, so you’ll be sure to get plenty of individual attention. For more information please go to www.coloradorootsmusic.com or call (719) 632-7872.

Common Ground on the Hill, Traditions Weeks: June 28-July 3; July 5-10; Festival: July 11-12, 2015, McDaniel College, Westminster, Maryland. http://www.commongroundonthehill.org/index.html

Country Dance and Song Society, American Dance & Music week, Aug. 8-15, 2015, Pinewoods Camp, near Plymouth, Mass. Info: www.cdss.org

Cowan Creek Mountain Music School, June 22-26, 2020, Whitesburg, Kentucky. A week of learning and fun for students of all levels and ages. Classes in old time fiddle, banjo, guitar, dulcimer, singing and string band. Music and arts for kids ages 5 to 10. Fiddle faculty include Jimmy McCown, Megan Gregory, John Harrod, Carrie Wells Carter, Blakeley Burger and Meghan Bryant. In-class visits and performances by masters Bruce Greene, Sarah Wood and Sam Gleaves & Deborah Payne. Afternoon jam sessions for all levels, evening square dances and concerts. Info: (606) 335-5350; cowancreekmountainmusic@gmail.com; cowancreekmusic.org

Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week, April 9-14, 2016, Chicot State Park, near Ville Platte, Louisiana. Intensive instruction and workshops on Cajun and Creole fiddle, accordion, and more. Information/registration: (337) 234-8360; www.lafolkroots.org

9th Annual Earful of Fiddle Music & Dance Camp, June 25-30, 2017. School Section Lake County Park, 9003 90th Ave, Mecosta, MI 49332. Instruction Mon.-Thur. All Ages. Earful of Fiddle

Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, WA, June 28-July 5, 2020. Spend a week living, learning, and playing music with masters of a wide variety of fiddling styles. Performers/instructors include Bruce Molsky; Eddie Bond; Erynn Marshall; Charlie Walden; Hank Bradley; Pete Sutherland; and many more. Info: (360) 385-3102, ext. 117 or visit www.centrum.org

18th Annual Fiddleheads Acoustic JamCamp, Contoocook, New Hampshire, September 11-13, 2015. A weekend of learning and fun with jamming, workshops and concerts. All acoustic instruments are welcome. Learn more at www.FiddleheadsCamp.com or email fiddleheads_nh@yahoo.com

2nd Annual Fiddle-icious Traditions Musical Weekend, Lewiston, Maine, April 17-19, 2020. Featuring Seamus Connolly, Mairi Rankin, and Joy Adams. Enjoy classes in melody, rhythm, piano, learning by ear, step-dancing, jams, a contra dance, and a concert finale! Lodging nearby. Breakfast and lunch included on Saturday and Sunday. For more information: https://fiddleicioustraditions.com Created by Don Roy, 2018 National Heritage Fellow and music director of Fiddle-icious, Maine’s Largest Fiddle Orchestra.

Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Festival, Westford, MA, Nov. 5-8, 2020. Fiddle styles: Bluegrass, Cajun, Cape Breton, French Canadian, Jazz, Irish, Klezmer, New England, Oldtime Southern, Scottish, Swedish, Swing, Texas, Western Swing. Instruments: Fiddle (of course!), mandolin, cello, guitar, banjo, singing, dances. Levels: Beginner through Advanced. Fifteenth annual gathering, with inexpensive rates for 2, 3, or 4 days, or even just 1 day. DIscounts for kids, young adults, seniors, and for advance payment. 90 instructors lead 450+ workshops and guided jams and play for 12 mini-concerts throughout the four days in picturesque New England Inn. Free parking all 4 days. Public concert and dance Nov 9 at 7PM (doors open 6:30), $20 at door. More info: Fiddle Hell Website, Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Facebook Group, or call (781) 367-7316.

Fiddle Pal Massachusetts, August 20-23, 2019, Newton, Mass. Players of the violin, viola, cello, mandolin, guitar, and bass learn tunes and techniques from a variety of traditions such as Bluegrass, Scottish, Jazz, Appalachian, Irish, and Blues. Students learn in groups with others of a similar experience level, and the instructors teach by ear. In the evenings, we host a traditional Barn Dance and a Fiddle Masters staff concert. The camp wraps up with a all-camp student recital Friday afternoon. For ages 9 and up. Info: https://americanfiddlemethod.com/fiddle-pal-camps/massachusetts

Megan B. Lynch’s FiddleStar Adult Beginner Fiddle Camp, Sept. 9-11, 2016, Ridgetop, Tennessee. A long weekend retreat with great fiddling and lots of fun. Every day we will work on fiddle tunes, learn how to rehair bows and do basic fiddle repair, learn to dance to fiddle music, and lots more. Info: 615-428-1681; www.fiddlestar.com; http://www.nashvilleacousticcamps.com

Megan B. Lynch’s FiddleStar Youth Fiddle Camp, May 6-8, 2016 (sold out — email for waiting list), Ridgetop, Tennessee. Come join us for a week of great fiddling and lots of fun. Every day from 9-3:30 we will work on fiddle tunes, learn how to rehair bows and do basic fiddle repair, take hikes, learn to dance to fiddle music, and lots more. We’ll even get a chance to record in a real recording studio and the students will get a CD of their hard work! http://www.nashvilleacousticcamps.com Email for updates: megan@fiddlestar.com or call 615-428-1681

Fiddlin’ on the Hill at Powers Music School, Belmont, Massachusetts, July 23-27, 2018. Fiddlin’ on the Hill is a full day, one week strings camp for violin, viola, and cello students ages 9-15. Students will explore the challenging fun of fiddle and “new string” styles, learning music by ear, improvising, arranging, and composing their own music. Mornings will be spent learning repertoire and styles on your instrument, including Scottish, Old Time, and Irish. After a break for lunch, the afternoon will be spent learning singing, dancing, and playing with harmonies, and learning to arrange the tunes in the context of small and large ensembles. http://www. powersmusic.org/fiddle

Folk College with Simple Gifts, May 22-24, 2015, Huntington, Pennsylvania. A fun, hands-on weekend of workshops, concerts, jams, dancing, and friendship for all ages, instruments, and levels. Workshops ranging from old-time to celtic to international. Friday night contradance. Performers/faculty include Laurie Hart, Simple Gifts (weekend hosts) and several more. www.folkcollege.com

Greenwood Furnace Folk Gathering, Sept. 11-13, 2015, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. A weekend of playing for fiddle, guitar, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, dulcimer, and other folk instruments includes workshops, jamming, concerts, and a contradance. No age limit. Evening concerts, contradance, and Sunday morning hymn sing. www.folkgathering.com

Grey Fox Bluegrass Kids Academy, July 16-19, 2015, Oak Hill, New York. Instructors include Ellen Carlson, Cathy Goode, Lew Gelfond, and Amanda Kerr. Info: www.greyfoxbluegrass.com

The Hardanger Fiddle Association of America presents Annual Workshops in Hardingfele, Norwegian Folk Dance, and Hardingfele Construction, Folklore Village, Dodgeville, Wisconsin. July 16-19, 2015, Dodgeville, Wisconsin. 2015 workshop will feature the music and dance of Telemark. Instructors include Torunn Raftevold Rue, Sarah Nagell, Loretta Kelley and Jennifer Elton Turbes. Info: info@hfaa.org; www.hfaa.org

Harald Haugaard’s West Denmark Fiddle School, June 11-15, 2017, West Denmark, Wisconsin. Modeled after Harald’s extremely popular fiddle school in Breklum, Germany, it is an intensive study for people of all ages who share an interest in music based on Scandinavian and Anglo/Celtic traditions. Harald will be joined by fiddle instructors Hanneke Cassel from Boston, MA, Antti Jarvela from Finland, and Kevin Henderson from the Shetland Islands. We welcome the addition of Helene Blum’s vocal class. www.westdenmark.net

Headwaters Fiddle Camp, June 13-17, 2016, Bemidji, Minnesota. Instructors lead this fun week of Celtic, Scandinavian, Old-time, and folk music in private lessons, small and large ensembles, and improvisation workshops, ending with a final performance. http://hwschool.org/summer-string-camp

Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling, Valle Crucis, North Carolina. Week One: July 24-31; Weekend: July 29-31 (can be combined with Week 2 for an alternative week-long camp); Week Two: July 31-Aug 5, 2016. Seven full days of classes with instruction by Dr. John Turner, 10-time National Scottish Fiddling Champion; internationally acclaimed concert violinist, Rachel Barton Pine; Calum Pasqua and Mari Black, both winners of the Glenfiddich Championship (Scotland) and National Scottish Fiddling Champions. Info: 11302 Avocet Drive, Chesterfield, VA 23838-8945, (804) 647-2164. www.jinkdiddle.com; jinkdiddle@aol.com.

John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, North Carolina. Weeklong and weekend classes taught by nationally-known instructors. Classes for all skill levels in fiddle, banjo, guitar, folk harp, harmonica, dulcimer, dance, and more. Info: www.folkschool.org; 800-FOLK-SCH

Julian Family Fiddle Camp, April 10-14, 2019, near the historic town of Julian, California. JFFC is for “kids” from 6 to 86, individuals and/or families, and boasts a team of instructors who are some of the best acoustic roots/Americana musicians around. Genres covered in 2018 include Appalachian old-time, Celtic, Texas swing and bluegrass, with instruction in upright bass, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, cello, banjo, vocals, dance. For more information, visit www.familyfiddlecamp.com

Kids Mini-Music Camp, Independence, Virginia, June 14-16, 2016. In the heart of the Appalachian mountains on “The Crooked Road.” Featuring Eddie Bond, Brandon Davis, and Grayson Tuttle. An intense and inspiring 3-day camp. Lessons and workshops centered around improving young musicians’ skills. Creative and fun agendas are in the works. Full 3 day tuition: $150.00. Can assist with lodging at the Grayson Inn. Info: http://shutterlife1944.wix.com/music-camp Norma McLeod njmcleod@att.net

Lark Camp, Celebration of World Music, Song & Dance, July 29-Aug. 6, 2016, Mendocino Woodlands, California. Workshops, sessions, dances, cabins, great food… Fiddle-oriented workshops include Cajun & Zydeco; Bulgarian; French-Canadian; old time; contra dance band lab; swing; Irish; blues; French; many more. Info: (707) 964-4826; mickie@larkcamp.com; www.larkcamp.com

3rd annual Live Oak Fiddle Camp in Hallettsville, Texas from May 24-28, 2015. An advanced level camp where musicians have an opportunity to learn, play, and share techniques & tunes in a fun and relaxed environment. Limited space available; advanced players only. Info: www.liveoakfiddlecamp.com