Whether you're a seasoned vet of Old Time music or brand new, we have offerings for all skill levels featuring a variety of instruments. Grab an instrument and learn from some of the best in the scene!
- All workshops require advanced registration as we have limited capacity. Weekend Pass and Saturday Day Pass holders receive access to two workshops. Supporter pass holders can sign up for four workshops. Volunteers will have access to one.
- Please arrive at the workshop 15 minutes prior to the start time. If a workshop fills (most will), we will maintain a waitlist.
- After purchasing a ticket HERE, you can select your workshops.
Saturday, April 18
11:00AM-12:15PM
Galax Style Old Time Fiddle with Eddie Bond
Born in Galax, a hotbed for Old Time music going back generations, Eddie Bond will lead workshop on Galax style fiddling by teaching a handful of Emmett Lundy tunes. All levels welcome.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Harmonica with Alex Lacquement
Discover the joys of old time harmonica with Alex Lacquement! No experience or harmonica needed. Alex will provide harmonicas you can keep for $5.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Two-Finger Banjo with Joseph Decosimo
Discover the joys of Old Time Banjo with Joseph Decosimo, one of the finest players steeped in the tradition. A number of playing styles will be covered including clawhammer and two-finger banjo. All skill levels welcome.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Old Time Guitar with Jesse Milnes
This workshop will dive into the nuances of Old Time Guitar playing with Jesse Milnes of the State Birds. Geared towards guitar players of all skill levels.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Printing Press Basics
Participants will each contribute to the design of a Festival and print their own copy to take home. Each participant will have the opportunity to handset one line of large wooden or metal type that will be added to the poster. No experience needed!
12:30-1:45PM
Harmony Singing with Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
Share in the joy of song by learning harmony singing from Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer. All skill levels welcome.
12:30-1:45PM
Mindfulness in Music Workshop
Explore ways to incorporate mindfulness into your music playing or listening. You will learn foundational techniques to be in the present moment, reduce anxiety, and increase enjoyment in your musical experiences. Taught by Phillip McKnight
12:30-1:45PM
Old Time Jamming 101 with Rachel Eddy
Learn tips and techniques improving your jamming skills, learning tunes on the fly and developing more confidence to join the jam. Rachel Eddy & Friends will facilitate a slow jam and share ideas on how to improve your jamming skills.
12:30-1:45PM
Twin Fiddles with Gus & Huck Tritsch
Learn the skills to groove with another fiddler! Gus & Huck Tritsch of the Wild Shoats will provide insight on how to play twin fiddles and get you playing. The workshop is geared towards intermediate to advanced players but all can come
12:30-1:45PM
Printing Press Basics
Participants will each contribute to the design of a Festival and print their own copy to take home. Each participant will have the opportunity to handset one line of large wooden or metal type that will be added to the poster. No experience needed!
2:00-3:15PM
Galax Clawhammer Banjo with Jared Boyd
Jared Boyd is steeped in the clawhammer banjo style that has evolved for generations in and around Galax, Virginia, a hotbed for Old Time music. Learn tunes and techniques unique to the style. All levels.
2:00-3:15PM
Mandolin with Bryan McDowell
Learn to take your mandolin playing to the next level with one of the most musically creative and rhythmically solid mandolin players on the scene today. Bryan McDowell is an ace old-time and bluegrass musician and educator. All levels welcome.
2:00-3:15PM
Old Time Fiddle with Stephanie Coleman
One of the most influential fiddlers on the scene, Stephanie Coleman will teach a fiddle workshop geared towards intermediate to advanced fiddlers focused on bowing and groove.
2:00-3:15PM
Square Dance Calling 101 with Janine Smith
Join Janine Smith for a turbo-charged Square Dance calling playshop! We’ll cover the basics, including calling techniques, building repertoire, timing and more. Get ready to say “Square ‘Em Up” at your next gathering and throw down!
2:00-3:15PM
Printing Press Basics
Participants will each contribute to the design of a Festival and print their own copy to take home. Each participant will have the opportunity to handset one line of large wooden or metal type that will be added to the poster. No experience needed!
3:30-4:45PM
Hambone with Mark Schatz
Learn the joys of body percussion as taught by Mark Schatz. Hambone is a style of percussion that uses the body as a drum. No experience needed.
3:30-4:45PM
Old Time Fiddle Basics with Amy Alvey
Dust off that fiddle and discover the joy of Old Time Fiddle! No fiddle experience needed. Now is your chance to learn!
3:30-4:45PM
Old Time Guitar with Mark Kilianski
Boom—Chuck and Beyond! Bass notes, runs, and chords in the keys of G, A, C and D. Plus tricks for hearing the chord changes. Discover the joys of playing Old Time guitar from one of today's most beloved Old Time musicians!
3:30-4:45PM
West Virginia Fiddle with Tessa McCoy
Tessa McCoy is one of today's finest fiddlers steeped in the Old Time traditions of West Virginia. She'll teach tunes and bowings unique to West Virginia. Geared towards intermediate and advanced players but all levels welcome.
5:00-6:15PM
Flatfooting with Emily Crews
Learn from one of the best! Emily is a longtime member Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble and renowned teacher. She will share her love of flatfoot dance and clogging with you. Smooth-soled shoes encouraged but not required. All levels are welcome.
5:00-6:15PM
Old Time Banjo Basics with Cody Jordan
Dust off your banjo and discover the joy of Old Time Banjo! No banjo experience needed. Now is your chance to learn!
11:00AM-12:15PM
Galax Style Old Time Fiddle with Eddie Bond
Born in Galax, a hotbed for Old Time music going back generations, Eddie Bond will lead workshop on Galax style fiddling by teaching a handful of Emmett Lundy tunes. All levels welcome.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Harmonica with Alex Lacquement
Discover the joys of old time harmonica with Alex Lacquement! No experience or harmonica needed. Alex will provide harmonicas you can keep for $5.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Two-Finger Banjo with Joseph Decosimo
Discover the joys of Old Time Banjo with Joseph Decosimo, one of the finest players steeped in the tradition. A number of playing styles will be covered including clawhammer and two-finger banjo. All skill levels welcome.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Old Time Guitar with Jesse Milnes
This workshop will dive into the nuances of Old Time Guitar playing with Jesse Milnes of the State Birds. Geared towards guitar players of all skill levels.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Printing Press Basics
Participants will each contribute to the design of a Festival and print their own copy to take home. Each participant will have the opportunity to handset one line of large wooden or metal type that will be added to the poster. No experience needed!
12:30-1:45PM
Harmony Singing with Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
Share in the joy of song by learning harmony singing from Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer. All skill levels welcome.
12:30-1:45PM
Mindfulness in Music Workshop
Explore ways to incorporate mindfulness into your music playing or listening. You will learn foundational techniques to be in the present moment, reduce anxiety, and increase enjoyment in your musical experiences. Taught by Phillip McKnight
12:30-1:45PM
Old Time Jamming 101 with Rachel Eddy
Learn tips and techniques improving your jamming skills, learning tunes on the fly and developing more confidence to join the jam. Rachel Eddy & Friends will facilitate a slow jam and share ideas on how to improve your jamming skills.
12:30-1:45PM
Twin Fiddles with Gus & Huck Tritsch
Learn the skills to groove with another fiddler! Gus & Huck Tritsch of the Wild Shoats will provide insight on how to play twin fiddles and get you playing. The workshop is geared towards intermediate to advanced players but all can come
12:30-1:45PM
Printing Press Basics
Participants will each contribute to the design of a Festival and print their own copy to take home. Each participant will have the opportunity to handset one line of large wooden or metal type that will be added to the poster. No experience needed!
2:00-3:15PM
Galax Clawhammer Banjo with Jared Boyd
Jared Boyd is steeped in the clawhammer banjo style that has evolved for generations in and around Galax, Virginia, a hotbed for Old Time music. Learn tunes and techniques unique to the style. All levels.
2:00-3:15PM
Mandolin with Bryan McDowell
Learn to take your mandolin playing to the next level with one of the most musically creative and rhythmically solid mandolin players on the scene today. Bryan McDowell is an ace old-time and bluegrass musician and educator. All levels welcome.
2:00-3:15PM
Old Time Fiddle with Stephanie Coleman
One of the most influential fiddlers on the scene, Stephanie Coleman will teach a fiddle workshop geared towards intermediate to advanced fiddlers focused on bowing and groove.
2:00-3:15PM
Square Dance Calling 101 with Janine Smith
Join Janine Smith for a turbo-charged Square Dance calling playshop! We’ll cover the basics, including calling techniques, building repertoire, timing and more. Get ready to say “Square ‘Em Up” at your next gathering and throw down!
2:00-3:15PM
Printing Press Basics
Participants will each contribute to the design of a Festival and print their own copy to take home. Each participant will have the opportunity to handset one line of large wooden or metal type that will be added to the poster. No experience needed!
3:30-4:45PM
Hambone with Mark Schatz
Learn the joys of body percussion as taught by Mark Schatz. Hambone is a style of percussion that uses the body as a drum. No experience needed.
3:30-4:45PM
Old Time Fiddle Basics with Amy Alvey
Dust off that fiddle and discover the joy of Old Time Fiddle! No fiddle experience needed. Now is your chance to learn!
3:30-4:45PM
Old Time Guitar with Mark Kilianski
Boom—Chuck and Beyond! Bass notes, runs, and chords in the keys of G, A, C and D. Plus tricks for hearing the chord changes. Discover the joys of playing Old Time guitar from one of today's most beloved Old Time musicians!
3:30-4:45PM
West Virginia Fiddle with Tessa McCoy
Tessa McCoy is one of today's finest fiddlers steeped in the Old Time traditions of West Virginia. She'll teach tunes and bowings unique to West Virginia. Geared towards intermediate and advanced players but all levels welcome.
5:00-6:15PM
Flatfooting with Emily Crews
Learn from one of the best! Emily is a longtime member Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble and renowned teacher. She will share her love of flatfoot dance and clogging with you. Smooth-soled shoes encouraged but not required. All levels are welcome.
5:00-6:15PM
Old Time Banjo Basics with Cody Jordan
Dust off your banjo and discover the joy of Old Time Banjo! No banjo experience needed. Now is your chance to learn!