- All of This is the Blues: A Survey of Traditional American Blues, Workshop with Robert Jones - Showcasing seminal figures in blues music, Rev. Robert Jones will demonstrate the nuances of various regional styles of blues, including Piedmont, Delta, Texas, and early urban styles. This program is
- Art and Activisim, Workshop withe Anne Feeney: The Songs of Joe Hill, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs - Paul Robeson said “All art is political. The decision not to be political is a political decision.” Come for a history of political songs, and be ready to sing along,
- Banjo Workshop with Steve Rosen (intermediate) - Volo Bogtrotter Steve Rosen will help you sharpen your technique while learning a few class old-time banjo tunes. For intermediate clawhammer banjo.
- Circle Singing, with elizaBeth Simpson - Circle singing is a community art form that tends to generate an altered space and leave participants elated. Through a combination of conducted loops and spontaneous improvisations, circle song leaders
- Fiddle Music of the Southwest, with Frank Fairfield - Bring your fiddle and learn a tune or two from old-time legend Frank Fairfield. Guaranteed educational fun, with some story-swapping thrown in the mix!
- Fiddle Workshop, with Chirps Smith and Paul Tyler - Get your Midwest fiddling on! Lynn “Chirps” Smith and Paul Tyler of the Volo Bogtrotters will share tunes learned directly from master fiddlers in Illinois and Indiana over the last
Continue readingFiddle Workshop, with Chirps Smith and Paul Tyler
- Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop with Pop Wagner (all levels) - In this workshop, Pop will address all levels of playing ability. He will first present a familiar, entry-level tune and demonstrate methodic ways to syncopate and vary the arrangement, bringing
Continue readingFingerstyle Guitar Workshop with Pop Wagner (all levels)
- Folksongs of Illinois, Workshop with Bucky Halker - Illinois has rich and diverse folk music traditions that are little known to most people. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the many peoples who have made Illinois their
Continue readingFolksongs of Illinois, Workshop with Bucky Halker
- Grant Writing Workshop with Bucky Halker - Bucky’s workshop will focus on opportunities available through the Illinois Arts Council and the Illinois Humanities Council, and may also touch on other fundraising measures including the National Endowment of the Arts.
- Harmonica Workshop (beginning), with Dave Witzany - It’s easy to begin to learn to play harmonica! Dave will lead the group using key of C diatonic 10 hole harmonicas to help you learn about the instrument and to
Continue readingHarmonica Workshop (beginning), with Dave Witzany
- Harmonica Workshop (intermediate), with Dave Witzany - For this intermediate workshop, Dave will teach some simple effects and give an introduction to the blues. If you attended the beginning workshop, you are welcome to stay for this session
Continue readingHarmonica Workshop (intermediate), with Dave Witzany
- How to Make an Udder-Bot and Play it! - This workshop will discuss the history of the udder-bot and how the art of udder-bot construction has evolved to the present day. You will see how to construct the “SanbitterBot”
- Kids Songwriting Workshop with Dana Sipos - Join us for an inspired song+writing workshop! First we will explore methods and techniques on how to exercise our songwriting muscles. Putting pen and hearts to paper, we will then compose a
- Learn About the Bagpipes, Workshop with Paul Hinson (all levels) - This workshop will seek to answer four basic questions. Where did the bagpipe come from? Where does it exist now? How does the bagpipe work? How do I get started?
Continue readingLearn About the Bagpipes, Workshop with Paul Hinson (all levels)
- Mandolin Workshop, with Don Julin (Beginner/Intermediate) - This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from a mandolin master and author of Mandolin for Dummies! Beginning and intermediate players, please bring your mandolins for a hands-on instructional experience.
- Owning the Stage, Workshop with Mother Banjo (all levels) - Performance tips from Mother Banjo on how to engage an audience, pace your set, and make a lasting impression in front of a crowd.
- Penny Whistle Workshop (beginning), with Dean Karres - Come for a low stress introduction to the tin whistle (penny whistle). This workshop is for the complete novice. You will be shown correct hand and finger position; a simple scale; and,
Continue readingPenny Whistle Workshop (beginning), with Dean Karres
- Quebecois Fiddle Workshop with David Boulanger - In the Québec fiddle workshop, David Boulanger will teach different bowing techniques and ornamentations as well as how to “swing” — things that makes Québec fiddling one of a kind.
Continue readingQuebecois Fiddle Workshop with David Boulanger
- Telling Personal Stories, Workshop with Dan Keding - Personal stories are signposts in our journey. Through them we share the funny, sad, and important times of our lives. This workshop will help you prepare and present these stories
Continue readingTelling Personal Stories, Workshop with Dan Keding
- Tunes from Our Travels Workshop with Laura Cortese - Learn three tunes from some of Laura Cortese and Mariel Vandersteel’s favorite fiddling traditions. We will focus on stylistic and groove differences as well as ways to explore your personal
Continue readingTunes from Our Travels Workshop with Laura Cortese