Songwriting One
In this course we will focus on how to merge our personal artistic vision with the craft of professional songwriting. How can we enhance our own writing voice by incorporating some basic tools and skills of the professional songwriter without losing our own particular and extraordinary style? This course is designed for any and all levels of ability with more of an emphasis on lyrical structure than musical forms.

Advanced Songwriting
This will be a lecture class and a "doing" class. We'll be taking the basic steps of songwriting into a more advanced stage. How do we take a song from the "new" stage to the "complete" performance or publishing stage? We will be talking about how you move a song forward toward recording -- using editing and arrangements as stepping stones in the process.

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.

Sound Reinforcement
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.

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.

Advanced Beginning 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.

Filling in the Cracks for Guitar
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.

Old Time 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

Basic Guitar Technique
In this class, Ernie will cover the finger styles techniques of some of the blues great like Blind Blake, Blind Willie McTell, Lightnin' Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, Rev. Gary Davis, as well as move into the more complex ragtime/early jazz styles. This class will teach guitar techniques that are at an Intermediate level. Students should feel comfortable switching chords and have some right-hand finger style ability. Some theory will be discussed as the "CAGED" system.

Advanced Guitar Blues and Rags
This advanced class will cover further blues and ragtime styles for fingerpickers, particularly Gary Davis. More complex ragtime/jazz styles bring the student into the music of Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke. We will also delve deeper into theory and the use of the "CAGED" system

"Survey of Country Blues Guitar"
"A sampling of regional Country blues styles drawn from Texas, the Carolinas (Piedmont), and the Mississippi Delta. Class will address subjects such as finger picking basics, bass runs, improvisation and more. A basic knowledge of guitar is recommended".

Blues Harmonica
This class is intended to introduce basic techniques, styles and approaches to the use of the harmonica in blues and folk music. Topics covered include playing in both 1st and 2nd positions, bends, trills, fanning, tremolo, throat pops and other effects. Students are required to bring at least one harmonica in the key of C.

Vocal Harmony with the Kennedys
"The only thing more rewarding than simply making music, is making music with other people. The blending of individual voices into one creates a certain magic that reflects our own experience as community made up of diverse spirits. It's fun to lift your voice in a group! We'll touch on old Beatles and Motown vocal favorites, and throw in some surprises for this year; maybe even a bit of choreography!".

Live Performance with the Kennedys
"Pete and Maura are known for hitting the stage at full energy, creating an instant rapport with the audience, and they take joy in helping others do the same. How do you transcend nerves and shaky confidence to deliver the best performance of those songs you love so much? The Kennedys will cover a range of easy-to-apply techniques to help you take command of the stage. For performers at all levels, and if you ever sing or play for anybody, you're a performer!"

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.

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.

Basic 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.

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.

Vocal/Vocal Health
Singing with your heart, soul and body Singing is fun! Inside each of us lives a beautiful and unique instrument. In this workshop we will move our bodies, soften our hearts, open our mouths and let our voices out to play. We will use a combination of vocal warm-ups and work-outs to help relax and strengthen the voice....making it more flexible and reliable. There will be an emphasis on vocal health. Individual attention and support is offered to each person in class as well as for the group as a whole.