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!
A few notes on our 2025 Workshop Offerings
*see full listing and descriptions below*
*space is limited - check current availability HERE*
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.
*see full listing and descriptions below*
*space is limited - check current availability HERE*
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 19
11:00AM-12:15PM
Ballad Singing with Elizabeth LaPrelle **Located on the Studio Stage**
All levels welcome. Ballads contain some of the oldest poetry in the English language! Elizabeth shares 20 years of experience singing Appalachian ballads and some tips on how to sing these ancient story-songs in your "own voice," while adopting some of the stylistic hallmarks of mountain singing.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Banjo with Richie Stearns
A clawhammer banjo icon, Richie has a unique approach to Old Time banjo that is innovative and creative while steeped in tradition. Learn from one of the modern greats! The workshop is geared towards intermediate to advanced players, but all can come.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Fiddle with George Jackson
One of the most influential young fiddlers on the scene and a member of Tall Poppy String Band, George Jackson will teach a fiddle workshop geared towards intermediate to advanced fiddlers.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Old Time Guitar with Morgan Harris
Learn how to pick out melodies while sitting in the pocket and grooving along in an Old Time jam on your guitar. Morgan has developed a unique guitar style as featured with Tall Poppy String Band. All levels welcome.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Midwest Fiddle with AJ Srubas and Rina Rossi
Stewards of the rich Midwest fiddling tradition, AJ Srubas and Rina Rossi of the bands Steam Machine and the Alum Ridge Boys will share a handful of their favorite Midwest hornpipes. For intermediate to advanced fiddlers.
12:30PM-1:45PM
Fiddle with Greg Canote
Dips, pulses, and doodads! We’ll take a handful of beautiful old tunes and together explore some of the simple left and right hand techniques that make it sound like fiddling. Learn from one of the best! All levels welcome.
12:30PM-1:45PM
Pitchfork Banjo with Cameron DeWhitt
Pitchfork Banjo is an extension of the clawhammer technique that solves for clawhammer’s melodic and rhythmic limitations and simplifies the left hand, all while maintaining the driving pulse that drew you to old time in the first place. In this workshop Cameron will give examples of pitchfork's many applications and get you started with the basics.
12:30PM-1:45PM
Mandolin with Andrew Small
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. Andrew performs with The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee. All levels welcome.
12:30PM-1:45PM
Mindfulness in Music with Phillip McKnight
Explore ways to incorporate mindfulness (being present) 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 certified mindfulness meditation teacher and musician Phillip McKnight.
2:00PM-3:15PM
Blue Ridge Style Guitar with Kyle Dean Smith
This workshop will dive into the nuances of Blue Ridge Style guitar playing with Kyle Dean Smith of The Wildcats. Geared towards guitar players of all skill levels.
2:00PM-3:15PM
Flatfooting with Becky Hill
Learn from one of the best! Becky is an award-winning flatfoot dancer and renowned teacher. She will share her love of dance with you. Smooth-soled shoes encouraged but not required. All levels are welcome.
2:00PM-3:15PM
Old Time Jamming 101 with Brendan Hearn
Learn tips and techniques improving your jamming skills, learning tunes on the fly and developing more confidence to join the jam. Brendan Hearn & Friends will facilitate a slow jam and share ideas on how to improve your jamming skills.
2:00PM-3:15PM
Blue Ridge Banjo with Mac Traynham
Discover the joys of Blue Ridge Banjo with Mac Traynham, one of the finest players steeped in the tradition. Learn the Galax Lick and the styles from past elders. Mac performs with the Wildcats. All skill levels welcome.
3:30PM-4:45PM
Harmonica with Alex Lacquement
Discover the joys of old time harmonica with Alex Lacquement! No experience or harmonica needed. Alex will provide harmonicas that you can keep for $5.
3:30PM-4:45PM
Old Time Guitar with Jere Canote
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!
3:30PM-4:45PM
The Basics of Old Time Fiddle with Rachel Eddy
Dust off that fiddle and discover the joy of Old Time Fiddle! No fiddle experience needed. Now is your chance to learn!
3:30PM-4:45PM
Harmony Singing with Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small
Share in the joy of song by learning harmony singing from Ashlee Watkins and Andrew Small of the Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee. All skill levels welcome.
5:00PM-7:00PM
Black Banjo Talk n' Jam *no workshop registration required*
Drop in on the Black Banjo Reclamation Project’s affinity space at the Baltimore Old Time Music Festival! Centering Black folks on their journey of banjo reclamation, enjoy a jam session and conversations about Old Time Music and the genre’s relationship with the African Diaspora.
5:00PM-6:15PM
Metis Fiddle with Jamie Fox
The class will explore the Metis (Native American) fiddle styles of North America, particularly of Montana. We will cover tunes that are “crooked” reels and a waltz - these particular tunes work great for playing for square dances. All levels welcome
5:00PM-6:15PM
The Basics of Old Time Banjo with Trish Fore
Dust off your banjo and discover the joy of Old Time Banjo! No banjo experience needed. Now is your chance to learn!
5:00PM-6:15PM
Partner Dancing Basics with Evie Ladin - Open to All Festival-Goers
Honky tonk, square dance, waltz - let's develop those basic skills for dancing with a partner. Weight sharing, leading, following, turns, and footwork free you up to have even more fun, and be a good partner. Apply at the square dance tonight!
11:00AM-12:15PM
Ballad Singing with Elizabeth LaPrelle **Located on the Studio Stage**
All levels welcome. Ballads contain some of the oldest poetry in the English language! Elizabeth shares 20 years of experience singing Appalachian ballads and some tips on how to sing these ancient story-songs in your "own voice," while adopting some of the stylistic hallmarks of mountain singing.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Banjo with Richie Stearns
A clawhammer banjo icon, Richie has a unique approach to Old Time banjo that is innovative and creative while steeped in tradition. Learn from one of the modern greats! The workshop is geared towards intermediate to advanced players, but all can come.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Fiddle with George Jackson
One of the most influential young fiddlers on the scene and a member of Tall Poppy String Band, George Jackson will teach a fiddle workshop geared towards intermediate to advanced fiddlers.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Old Time Guitar with Morgan Harris
Learn how to pick out melodies while sitting in the pocket and grooving along in an Old Time jam on your guitar. Morgan has developed a unique guitar style as featured with Tall Poppy String Band. All levels welcome.
11:00AM-12:15PM
Midwest Fiddle with AJ Srubas and Rina Rossi
Stewards of the rich Midwest fiddling tradition, AJ Srubas and Rina Rossi of the bands Steam Machine and the Alum Ridge Boys will share a handful of their favorite Midwest hornpipes. For intermediate to advanced fiddlers.
12:30PM-1:45PM
Fiddle with Greg Canote
Dips, pulses, and doodads! We’ll take a handful of beautiful old tunes and together explore some of the simple left and right hand techniques that make it sound like fiddling. Learn from one of the best! All levels welcome.
12:30PM-1:45PM
Pitchfork Banjo with Cameron DeWhitt
Pitchfork Banjo is an extension of the clawhammer technique that solves for clawhammer’s melodic and rhythmic limitations and simplifies the left hand, all while maintaining the driving pulse that drew you to old time in the first place. In this workshop Cameron will give examples of pitchfork's many applications and get you started with the basics.
12:30PM-1:45PM
Mandolin with Andrew Small
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. Andrew performs with The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee. All levels welcome.
12:30PM-1:45PM
Mindfulness in Music with Phillip McKnight
Explore ways to incorporate mindfulness (being present) 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 certified mindfulness meditation teacher and musician Phillip McKnight.
2:00PM-3:15PM
Blue Ridge Style Guitar with Kyle Dean Smith
This workshop will dive into the nuances of Blue Ridge Style guitar playing with Kyle Dean Smith of The Wildcats. Geared towards guitar players of all skill levels.
2:00PM-3:15PM
Flatfooting with Becky Hill
Learn from one of the best! Becky is an award-winning flatfoot dancer and renowned teacher. She will share her love of dance with you. Smooth-soled shoes encouraged but not required. All levels are welcome.
2:00PM-3:15PM
Old Time Jamming 101 with Brendan Hearn
Learn tips and techniques improving your jamming skills, learning tunes on the fly and developing more confidence to join the jam. Brendan Hearn & Friends will facilitate a slow jam and share ideas on how to improve your jamming skills.
2:00PM-3:15PM
Blue Ridge Banjo with Mac Traynham
Discover the joys of Blue Ridge Banjo with Mac Traynham, one of the finest players steeped in the tradition. Learn the Galax Lick and the styles from past elders. Mac performs with the Wildcats. All skill levels welcome.
3:30PM-4:45PM
Harmonica with Alex Lacquement
Discover the joys of old time harmonica with Alex Lacquement! No experience or harmonica needed. Alex will provide harmonicas that you can keep for $5.
3:30PM-4:45PM
Old Time Guitar with Jere Canote
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!
3:30PM-4:45PM
The Basics of Old Time Fiddle with Rachel Eddy
Dust off that fiddle and discover the joy of Old Time Fiddle! No fiddle experience needed. Now is your chance to learn!
3:30PM-4:45PM
Harmony Singing with Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small
Share in the joy of song by learning harmony singing from Ashlee Watkins and Andrew Small of the Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee. All skill levels welcome.
5:00PM-7:00PM
Black Banjo Talk n' Jam *no workshop registration required*
Drop in on the Black Banjo Reclamation Project’s affinity space at the Baltimore Old Time Music Festival! Centering Black folks on their journey of banjo reclamation, enjoy a jam session and conversations about Old Time Music and the genre’s relationship with the African Diaspora.
5:00PM-6:15PM
Metis Fiddle with Jamie Fox
The class will explore the Metis (Native American) fiddle styles of North America, particularly of Montana. We will cover tunes that are “crooked” reels and a waltz - these particular tunes work great for playing for square dances. All levels welcome
5:00PM-6:15PM
The Basics of Old Time Banjo with Trish Fore
Dust off your banjo and discover the joy of Old Time Banjo! No banjo experience needed. Now is your chance to learn!
5:00PM-6:15PM
Partner Dancing Basics with Evie Ladin - Open to All Festival-Goers
Honky tonk, square dance, waltz - let's develop those basic skills for dancing with a partner. Weight sharing, leading, following, turns, and footwork free you up to have even more fun, and be a good partner. Apply at the square dance tonight!