Welcome to the North Cascades Bluegrass Workshops & Schedules.
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Workshops
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Workshop Title: Jens Kruger’s Approach to Banjo
Band Association: Kruger Brothers
Workshop Instructor: Jens Kruger
Date:
Time:
Location: Museum
Workshop Description: During this workshop Jens will provide insights into how to find your own music and voice, how to develop skill and broaden your understanding of musical structure. Bring your banjo, as this workshop in hands-on, where you can try different sounds and thrills.
Intended Audience: All levels are welcome but basic knowledge is recommended.
Curriculum: Jens will talk about composition, musical structure, chord connections, intuitive playing, improvisations as well as traditional playing styles and approaches.
What your attendees need to bring: Banjos and some questions.
Bio: Born and raised as a German citizen in Switzerland, Jens Kruger started playing accordion and harmonica at just five years old, taking up the banjo at ten. By the age of 16 he was working as a full time musician. Jens was signed to a recording contract with CBS in 1982, making his debut at the legendary Grand Ole Opry with Bill Monroe just a short time later in 1982. Jens’ talents have earned multiple IMBA award nominations, cover stories for Banjo Newsletter and other publications, as well as appearances on programs such as the 60 Minutes radio broadcast and late night tv’s The David Letterman Show. In 2013 Jens was awarded the coveted Steve Martin Award for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, now called the Banjo Prize. Though known to many for his American Folk music, Jens’ technical abilities and classical influences have led him to work as a composer for many string quartets, chamber orchestras and symphonies. Jens has served as President of Double Time Music Inc. since 1997 and as Research and Development Director for Deering Banjos since 2003. Jens has been performing worldwide with his brother Uwe and Joel Landsberg as the Kruger Brothers since 1992.
Jens Kruger
Jens Kruger’s Approach to Banjo
Kruger Brothers
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Workshop Title: Flat Picking Guitar Doc Watson Style
Band Association: Kruger Brothers
Workshop Instructor: Uwe Kruger
Date:
Time:
Location:
Workshop Description: We will look at some licks and tricks I learned from Doc, concentrating on flat pick techniques. Bring your guitar, steel string acoustic preferred, and a pick and capo. Questions welcome!
Intended Audience: Anyone interested in Folk Guitar with a basic understanding of chord progression. Not for complete Beginners, but open to all.
Curriculum: I will demonstrate pick technique, Right and Left hand positions, dynamics in volume and quality of sound. We will play in a seated position.
What your attendees need to bring: Bring your guitar, a pick and a recording device, a cell phone is perfectly adequate. There will be no printed material available.
Bio: Touring Musician since 1979, been living now in Western North Carolina since 2001. Recorded with the Kruger Brothers (Lead Vocals and Guitar) since 1993 and I have played and performed with Doc Watson on numerous occasions.
Uwe Kruger
Flat Picking Guitar Doc Watson Style
Kruger Brothers
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Workshop Title: What do I do when I don’t know the tune???
Band Association: Kruger Brothers
Workshop Instructor: Joel Landsberg
Date:
Time:
Location:
Workshop Description: We’ll discuss learning how to “open your ears” and be aware of the importance of the role of the bass in the band, along with basic hand positions, finger exercises and just getting comfortable with your instrument.
Intended Audience: Beginning to mid level Bassists.
Curriculum: General bass “Bassics”. Tone, timing, intonation, and learning to develop your skills to listen to what’s going on around you.
What your attendees need to bring: Bring your instrument, a tuner and plenty of questions!
Bio: With over 50 years of bass playing experience in every genre from Latin Jazz to Broadway show tunes and Country Rock, I’ve been primarily playing with the Kruger Brothers for the last 30 plus years. Our music is a collaborative style of Folk, Bluegrass, Classical and original compositions and we approach our trio very much like a small orchestra. Born in New York City, I spent years studying Jazz and Classical music while playing in various style bands from Rock to Reggae. After moving to Switzerland in 1989 I met up with Jens and Uwe and we began the journey that we are still on today. I enjoy sharing some of what I’ve learned along the way with aspiring musicians. For me, the most important part of the magic of making music is to have fun and be able to communicate with people who might not even speak the same language.
Joel Landsberg
What do I do when I don’t know the tune???
Kruger Brothers
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Workshop Title: Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar
Workshop Instructor(s): Geary Allen
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: The Burnett Sisters Band
Instructor’s Bio: Originally from England and now residing in East Tennessee, Geary Allen is the guitarist, singer and songwriter for the Burnett Sisters Band. He also worked as the lead guitarist and singer for the Tennessee Bluegrass Band for a year and a half, and have had two of his originals (“Coming Down the Line”, and “Sorrow, Grief and Pain”) appear in the Bluegrass Today charts. More than a decade of professional touring and teaching experience has allowed Geary to attain a very well developed understanding of both lead and rhythm bluegrass guitar. He is able to articulate complex musical concepts in simple terms, and demonstrate those concepts so that musicians of all skill levels can understand them.
Workshop Description: This is an interactive workshop in which I will demonstrate the explain the function of the guitar as a rhythmic instrument in a bluegrass band. I will demonstrate a range of techniques such as right hand strumming patterns and basslines that can be used to back up other instruments. I will also discuss dynamic and timing concepts that will allow your rhythm guitar playing to develop further nuance and colour. This workshop will be beneficial to bluegrass guitarists of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced.
Intended Audience: Bluegrass guitar players of all skill levels.
Curriculum: Right hand strumming patterns, walking basslines, using hammer ons and pulls offs in your rhythm playing, dynamic sensibility, manipulation of timing (pushing the beat), understanding the function of the guitar as a rhythm instrument in a bluegrass band, filling in the gaps with single string runs, listen to and learn from the masters (Doc Watson, Clarence White, Lester Flatt etc).
What your attendees need to bring: Guitar, pencil and paper, recording device.
Geary Allen
Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar
The Burnett Sisters Band
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Workshop Title: Twin Fiddling: tips and tricks for all levels!
Workshop Instructor(s): Anissa & Anneli Burnett
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: The Burnett Sisters Band
Instructor’s Bio: North Carolina native, Anissa Burnett, is a highly accomplished multi-instrumentalist and is known for her unique qualities of traditional yet contemporary style of fiddling.
Workshop Description: This will be a Q&A plus hands-on fiddle workshop.
Intended Audience: This workshop is for all levels of fiddle playing. Could be useful for fiddlers who play with other fiddlers in a professional setting, or in a casual setting such as a jam.
Curriculum: We will focus on topics such as when to play and when not to play, how to not overplay or underplay when twin fiddling, and how to work with another person as a team and less as two individual people playing at the same time. We will talk about harmonies, playing leads together, and some tips when backing up another fiddler or musician.
What your attendees need to bring: Since there will be some hands-on practice, bring a fiddle! Don’t worry if you don’t have a twin fiddle partner. If you don’t want to bring a fiddle, just bring an open mind! There will be plenty of time for questions throughout the workshop.
Anissa & Anneli Burnett
Twin Fiddling: tips and tricks for all levels!
The Burnett Sisters Band
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Workshop Title: Driving Lessons: The Elements of Drive on the 5-String Banjo
Workshop Instructor(s): Casey Holmberg
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Fog Holler
Instructor’s Bio: Casey Holmberg, a Petaluma, CA native, began his musical journey in high school, playing sax in marching and jazz bands before discovering the banjo and bluegrass music. Since then, he’s carved a unique sound that blends the rawness of legends like Ralph Stanley and Robert Earl Davis with the modern flair of Bela Fleck and Noam Pikelny. This distinctive style has earned Casey numerous accolades, from contest victories to international tours with his band, Fog Holler. With his distinctive banjo playing and unique sound, he helped shape the band’s signature blend of traditional and modern bluegrass, pushing boundaries while staying rooted in the genre’s history.
Workshop Description: In this course, we’ll take a deep dive into Banjo Drive: exploring what it is, how it sounds over different rhythms, and, most importantly, how you can get it into your playing. This will be a hands-on banjo workshop where we will be discussing focus areas and doing exercises.
Intended Audience: Any level of three finger banjo player will benefit from these principles. The target audience is intermediate players who want to enliven their backup, and supercharge their playing.
Curriculum: Drive is all about creating a strong, steady groove and driving the rhythm forward, and understanding its nuances will open up a whole new level of musical expression. Throughout the course, we’ll focus on backup with a rhythmic emphasis, exposing all the layers of drive. We’ll work through a range of right- and left-hand techniques that will build your overall banjo skills. As we progress, you’ll learn how to unlock expanded stability, add variation, and enhance the musicality of your playing—even with the most basic rolls.
What your attendees need to bring: Banjos and finger picks will be needed. I will provide some handouts so pencils may be wanted for notes. Recording devices may be helpful.
Workshop Instructor(s): Casey Holmberg
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Fog Holler
Instructor’s Bio: Casey Holmberg, a Petaluma, CA native, began his musical journey in high school, playing sax in marching and jazz bands before discovering the banjo and bluegrass music. Since then, he’s carved a unique sound that blends the rawness of legends like Ralph Stanley and Robert Earl Davis with the modern flair of Bela Fleck and Noam Pikelny. This distinctive style has earned Casey numerous accolades, from contest victories to international tours with his band, Fog Holler. With his distinctive banjo playing and unique sound, he helped shape the band’s signature blend of traditional and modern bluegrass, pushing boundaries while staying rooted in the genre’s history.
Workshop Description: In this course, we’ll take a deep dive into Banjo Drive: exploring what it is, how it sounds over different rhythms, and, most importantly, how you can get it into your playing. This will be a hands-on banjo workshop where we will be discussing focus areas and doing exercises.
Intended Audience: Any level of three finger banjo player will benefit from these principles. The target audience is intermediate players who want to enliven their backup, and supercharge their playing.
Curriculum: Drive is all about creating a strong, steady groove and driving the rhythm forward, and understanding its nuances will open up a whole new level of musical expression. Throughout the course, we’ll focus on backup with a rhythmic emphasis, exposing all the layers of drive. We’ll work through a range of right- and left-hand techniques that will build your overall banjo skills. As we progress, you’ll learn how to unlock expanded stability, add variation, and enhance the musicality of your playing—even with the most basic rolls.
What your attendees need to bring: Banjos and finger picks will be needed. I will provide some handouts so pencils may be wanted for notes. Recording devices may be helpful.
Casey Holmberg
Driving Lessons: The Elements of Drive on the 5-String Banjo
Fog Holler
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Workshop Title: Deconstructing Fiddle Tunes So You Can Start Jamming Sooner
Workshop Instructor(s): Clare Armenante
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Fog Holler
Instructor’s Bio: Clare Armenante is a sought after violinist, fiddler, and teacher whose curiosity for music and its diverse styles and traditions has given her the versatility to perform in many genres including musical theater, circus, bluegrass, hip-hop, classical, pop, tango and jazz. Most recently Clare could be found on the road as the solo violinist for the First National Tour of the Tony Award-Winning Best Musical, Hadestown 2022–2024, and she frequently subs at the show on Broadway. Clare has also subbed for month-long residencies with the national tours of “Oklahoma! (2019),” the 50th Anniversary of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, and Sting’s “The Last Ship.” In the last 7 years, Clare also built a name for herself in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene. She performed, recorded, and toured with the bluegrass band, The High Water Line, making the finals in both the Telluride and Rockygrass Festival band competitions in 2022. She also played with old-time country and western swing band, The Vivants; and hip-hop chamber orchestra, Ensemble Mik Nawooj. Clare has also worked in circus arts and toured with the clown theater piece, “Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” in 2019 which received rave reviews at the Vault Fringe Festival in London. In 2023 she also spent two seasons performing in the All Star Band of Circus Bella.
Workshop Description: I had a lesson with my fiddle teacher years ago that really changed the way I thought about fiddle tunes and really opened up my approach to learning and improvising. Fiddle tunes tend to have a lot of notes in them, but most of them are decorative and not necessarily essential to the core identity and shape of the tune. Could you play the tune with the least amount of notes possible? In this workshop we’ll explore a fun method of practicing fiddle tunes to learn them quickly and open up more space for creativity.
Intended Audience: Fiddle players of all levels are welcome
Curriculum: In this workshop we’ll learn a fiddle tune together as it might be played regularly, then I will demonstrate how to break down the tune into a simpler version to play together. Then we can start adding some notes back in to bring some originality and creative fun! If there’s time at the end of the class, we may be able to take some other volunteer tunes that you know and practice breaking them down as well.
What your attendees need to bring: Bring your fiddle and a recording device
Workshop Instructor(s): Clare Armenante
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Fog Holler
Instructor’s Bio: Clare Armenante is a sought after violinist, fiddler, and teacher whose curiosity for music and its diverse styles and traditions has given her the versatility to perform in many genres including musical theater, circus, bluegrass, hip-hop, classical, pop, tango and jazz. Most recently Clare could be found on the road as the solo violinist for the First National Tour of the Tony Award-Winning Best Musical, Hadestown 2022–2024, and she frequently subs at the show on Broadway. Clare has also subbed for month-long residencies with the national tours of “Oklahoma! (2019),” the 50th Anniversary of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, and Sting’s “The Last Ship.” In the last 7 years, Clare also built a name for herself in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene. She performed, recorded, and toured with the bluegrass band, The High Water Line, making the finals in both the Telluride and Rockygrass Festival band competitions in 2022. She also played with old-time country and western swing band, The Vivants; and hip-hop chamber orchestra, Ensemble Mik Nawooj. Clare has also worked in circus arts and toured with the clown theater piece, “Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” in 2019 which received rave reviews at the Vault Fringe Festival in London. In 2023 she also spent two seasons performing in the All Star Band of Circus Bella.
Workshop Description: I had a lesson with my fiddle teacher years ago that really changed the way I thought about fiddle tunes and really opened up my approach to learning and improvising. Fiddle tunes tend to have a lot of notes in them, but most of them are decorative and not necessarily essential to the core identity and shape of the tune. Could you play the tune with the least amount of notes possible? In this workshop we’ll explore a fun method of practicing fiddle tunes to learn them quickly and open up more space for creativity.
Intended Audience: Fiddle players of all levels are welcome
Curriculum: In this workshop we’ll learn a fiddle tune together as it might be played regularly, then I will demonstrate how to break down the tune into a simpler version to play together. Then we can start adding some notes back in to bring some originality and creative fun! If there’s time at the end of the class, we may be able to take some other volunteer tunes that you know and practice breaking them down as well.
What your attendees need to bring: Bring your fiddle and a recording device
Clare Armenante
Deconstructing Fiddle Tunes So You Can Start Jamming Sooner
Fog Holler
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Workshop Title: Bass Fiddling Basics
Workshop Instructor(s): Noa
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Fog Holler
Instructor’s Bio: Hailing from Buffalo, NY, Noa is an innovative bassist, songwriter, and composer. They were inspired to pursue the bass after hearing Edgar Meyer for the first time in high school. Since then, Noa has studied with renowned musicians such as Lauren Pierce, Chris Hanulik, Daniel Pendley, and Peter Lloyd, eventually earning a Master’s Degree in Classical Performance from UCLA. Currently, Noa is focused on creating music with Fog Holler, blending their classical training with bluegrass to push the boundaries of bass playing and explore new possibilities for bow technique in both bluegrass and beyond.
Workshop Description: This will be an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a foundation in bass bow technique. Ergonomics, sound production, style, and transcription philosophy will all be discussed so bring your instruments and bows! Both French and German bow grips welcomed.
Intended Audience: Any and all bassists interested in learning how to use a bow
Curriculum: We will be discussing basic bow grip and sound production technique before digging into a fiddle tune or two. We will discuss what goes into playing a tune on bass and the considerations that need to be made when transcribing one for the instrument, as well as ways to make it as musical as possible.
What your attendees need to bring: Bass, bow, phone
Workshop Instructor(s): Noa
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Fog Holler
Instructor’s Bio: Hailing from Buffalo, NY, Noa is an innovative bassist, songwriter, and composer. They were inspired to pursue the bass after hearing Edgar Meyer for the first time in high school. Since then, Noa has studied with renowned musicians such as Lauren Pierce, Chris Hanulik, Daniel Pendley, and Peter Lloyd, eventually earning a Master’s Degree in Classical Performance from UCLA. Currently, Noa is focused on creating music with Fog Holler, blending their classical training with bluegrass to push the boundaries of bass playing and explore new possibilities for bow technique in both bluegrass and beyond.
Workshop Description: This will be an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a foundation in bass bow technique. Ergonomics, sound production, style, and transcription philosophy will all be discussed so bring your instruments and bows! Both French and German bow grips welcomed.
Intended Audience: Any and all bassists interested in learning how to use a bow
Curriculum: We will be discussing basic bow grip and sound production technique before digging into a fiddle tune or two. We will discuss what goes into playing a tune on bass and the considerations that need to be made when transcribing one for the instrument, as well as ways to make it as musical as possible.
What your attendees need to bring: Bass, bow, phone
Noa
Bass Fiddling Basics
Fog Holler
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Workshop Title: The Yodel!: A versatile technique for full-bodied Bluegrass-style singing
Workshop Instructor(s): Tommy Schulz
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Fog Holler
Instructor’s Bio: Tommy Schulz has spent over 20 years honing their vocal craft, studying a wide range of styles including Bluegrass, Country, Operatic, Pop, Avant-Garde, and Musical Theater. This diverse training has shaped Tommy into a versatile and dynamic performer, equally at home with the soulful harmonies of bluegrass and the dramatic power of opera. As one of the lead vocalists in Fog Holler, Tommy brings a distinctive voice that blends these varied influences, helping to define the band’s unique sound. In addition to their work with Fog Holler, Tommy is also a sought-after guest vocalist for pop and electronic artists, showcasing their ability to adapt and thrive across different genres.
Workshop Description: The workshop will be mostly educational in nature with practical demonstrations and limited audience participation. Examples of the utility of the yodel (or the ‘vocal’ or ‘glottal’ break) within Bluegrass singing will be addressed and demonstrated, ideally to encourage attendees to experiment with yodeling.
Intended Audience: Intermediate-level singers interested in learning or improving upon their bluegrass-style singing will benefit the most from this workshop; however, any individual interested in beginning Bluegrass-style singing may benefit.
Curriculum: I plan to teach attendees what the physical mechanics of the yodel are and how these mechanics necessarily create a strong utility for potentially improving many aspects of bluegrass singing including, but not limited to; a volume increase, a greater sense of vocal power, safe singing technique and personal vocal character.
What your attendees need to bring: Just themselves! Ideally hydrated and without tight fitting belts or waistbands that would inhibit breathing but not necessary to have these things. Water bottles are recommended in case we do any audience participatory-singing.
Workshop Instructor(s): Tommy Schulz
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Fog Holler
Instructor’s Bio: Tommy Schulz has spent over 20 years honing their vocal craft, studying a wide range of styles including Bluegrass, Country, Operatic, Pop, Avant-Garde, and Musical Theater. This diverse training has shaped Tommy into a versatile and dynamic performer, equally at home with the soulful harmonies of bluegrass and the dramatic power of opera. As one of the lead vocalists in Fog Holler, Tommy brings a distinctive voice that blends these varied influences, helping to define the band’s unique sound. In addition to their work with Fog Holler, Tommy is also a sought-after guest vocalist for pop and electronic artists, showcasing their ability to adapt and thrive across different genres.
Workshop Description: The workshop will be mostly educational in nature with practical demonstrations and limited audience participation. Examples of the utility of the yodel (or the ‘vocal’ or ‘glottal’ break) within Bluegrass singing will be addressed and demonstrated, ideally to encourage attendees to experiment with yodeling.
Intended Audience: Intermediate-level singers interested in learning or improving upon their bluegrass-style singing will benefit the most from this workshop; however, any individual interested in beginning Bluegrass-style singing may benefit.
Curriculum: I plan to teach attendees what the physical mechanics of the yodel are and how these mechanics necessarily create a strong utility for potentially improving many aspects of bluegrass singing including, but not limited to; a volume increase, a greater sense of vocal power, safe singing technique and personal vocal character.
What your attendees need to bring: Just themselves! Ideally hydrated and without tight fitting belts or waistbands that would inhibit breathing but not necessary to have these things. Water bottles are recommended in case we do any audience participatory-singing.
Tommy Schulz
The Yodel!: A versatile technique for full-bodied Bluegrass-style singing
Fog Holler
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Workshop Title: Beginner Skills and Tips for Bluegrass Bass
Workshop Instructor(s): Sophia Burnett
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: The Burnett Sisters Band
Instructor’s Bio: Sophia is a multi-instrumentalist and Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) music instructor. Although she began learning fiddle at the age of four, Sophia came to love the upright bass a few years later and continues to excel as a student in the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies program at ETSU and as a professional, touring musician in the Burnett Sisters Band and the performing old-time band at ETSU.
Workshop Description: We will cover the fundamentals of bluegrass and old-time bass playing. This includes tips on how to pull the best tone from your instrument, how to improve your timing and which notes to play over chords. We will also cover the concept of walking baselines and learn how to use them.
Intended Audience: Beginner/intermediate bass players.
Curriculum: We will be reviewing right and left hand positions, basic timing tips and tricks, walking basics, and an intro to slapping bass.
What your attendees need to bring: Bass, pencil and paper for notes, phone or recording device.
Sophia Burnett
Beginner Skills and Tips for Bluegrass Bass
The Burnett Sisters Band
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Workshop Title: Mapping the banjo neck for improvising and arranging and considering the roles of technique and aesthetics in the process.
Workshop Instructor(s): Jeff Scroggins
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Full Cord
Instructor’s Bio: Jeff Scroggins has won numerous banjo contests, including the prestigious National Bluegrass Banjo Championship. In 2009, he founded the award-winning Jeff Scroggins and Colorado and spent the next 10 years headlining bluegrass festivals and taking his fiery style to stages around the world. Jeff has taught banjo for over 35 years. He has also hosted countless workshops and been an instructor at music camps in the US, Canada, and Europe.
Workshop Description: Improve your knowledge of the banjo neck and learn ideas and patterns for building your own licks and using them to improvise and arrange. We will also discuss the aesthetic aspects of arranging and improvising as well as the importance of technique, and we will learn several useful technique building exercises for both left and right hands.
Intended Audience: Beneficial for all levels, but particularly useful for intermediate to advanced levels. Much of the information is not instrument specific and could be of interest to anyone looking to improve their arranging and improvising skills.
Curriculum: We will learn systems for practicing and memorizing chord locations and relationships using arpeggio exercises. We will also learn licks and picking patterns that make use of the chord knowledge learned from the previous exercises and practice using them in common bluegrass tunes. We will briefly discuss aesthetics and their application in arranging and improvising and discuss the importance of technique in facilitating greater freedom of musical expression.
What your attendees need to bring: Banjo. Pencil and music stand could also be useful.
Jeff Scroggins
Mapping the banjo neck for improvising and arranging and considering the roles of technique and aesthetics in the process
Full Cord
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Workshop Title: Vocalize with Jackson Hollow
Workshop Instructor(s): Mike Sanyshyn, Tianna Lefebvre, Charlie Frie, Jeremy Kneeshaw
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Jackson Hollow
Instructor’s Bio: Canada’s Country Fiddler Mike Sanyshyn is CCMA and BCCMA Fiddle Player of the Year and Juno Award Nominee. Tianna Lefebvre is a highly decorated vocalist and co-founder of Jackson Hollow. Charlie Frie is a seasoned bassist and vocalist. Jeremy Kneeshaw is a multi-instrumentalist and studio artist with several solo albums and awards.
Workshop Description: Tianna Lefebvre, Charlie Frie and Mike Sanyshyn will demonstrate a crash course in their approach to singing whether it’s lead or harmony. Jackson Hollow will cover vocal techniques, vocal care, basic theory and harmonies. Supported by Jeremy Kneeshaw on acoustic guitar.
Intended Audience: This workshop is designed for a beginner-intermediate audience.
Curriculum: Vocal Health – warm ups/maintenance; Basic Theory – chord progression, intervals; Vocal Blend – intonation, tone, Harmony.
What your attendees need to bring: A recording device or notebook/pencil.
Mike Sanyshyn, Tianna Lefebvre, Charlie Frie, Jeremy Kneeshaw
Vocalize with Jackson Hollow
Jackson Hollow
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Workshop Title: Roles of the Rhythm Section
Workshop Instructor(s): Charlie Frie and Jeremy Kneeshaw
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Jackson Hollow
Instructor’s Bio: Charlie Frie is a graduate of Grant MacEwan University’s Jazz Studies program and has numerous awards. Jeremy Kneeshaw is a versatile instrumentalist from British Columbia and an award-winning performer and producer.
Workshop Description: -Know your Role in the Rhythm Section
-How to be a sideman and learn your role on and offstage.
-How to prepare for a gig.
Intended Audience: Beginner/Intermediate
Curriculum: -Progressions and improvising basics
-Head’s Up Hockey (being present in performance and supporting the singer)
-What to do to get and keep the gig!
What your attendees need to bring: Instruments, recording device or notepad and pencil
Charlie Frie and Jeremy Kneeshaw
Roles of the Rhythm Section
Jackson Hollow
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Workshop Title: Pentatonic Scales for Mandolin players – beyond the basics
Band Association: Outlander’s Progressive Bluegrass Social Club and Paper Bluegrass Revival
Workshop Instructor: Matt C. Bruno
Date: September 1st, 2024
Time: 9:30 am – 10:45 am
Location: Playground Shelter
Workshop Description: The Pentatonic Scale is the basis for the melodies of many popular bluegrass songs. This makes understanding how to use the Pentatonic Scale is very important.
This workshop provides a broad overview of the what the pentatonic scale is and how to use it to play both melodic breaks as well as backup rhythm. We’ll use a few popular songs to illustrate how to use this scale in all forms.
This is designed for intermediate players – but beginners and advanced players likely will benefit too. Attendees should be able to participate in a jam (i.e. play chord progressions, maybe lead songs and take breaks). Attendees are encouraged to review the handout information in advance.
Intended Audience: Mandolin players
Curriculum: This is more an intermediate course – though beginners and more advanced players can likely benefit too. The main prerequisites are being able to play a song (chords and melody) and ideally able to take basic breaks. We’ll cover:
1. What the Pentatonic scale is – High level overview of what the Pentatonic Scale is and why it’s important to know.
2. Standard Pentatonic patterns and some specific keys – There are a few “general” patterns that make using the Pentatonic in any key a lot easier. We’ll cover the basics of those and specifically look at the key of G.
3. How to use the Pentatonic scale to play rhythm – the chord tones for a basic 1 4 5 progression live within the Pentatonic Scale. Knowing where these notes are can help you play rhythm in more interesting ways.
4. How to use the Pentatonic scale to play melodies and solos – Since the melodies for many popular songs are based on the Pentatonic, using that scale for solo breaks is an easy start.
What your attendees need to bring: Mandolins and tuners. Optional notebook and pen to take notes.
Bio: Matt C Bruno currently resides in Seattle WA, is a co-founder of the Outlanders Progressive Bluegrass Social Club, and hosts a weekly jam Wednesday’s at the Machine House Brewery in Seattle’s Hillman City neighborhood.
Matt’s workshops focus on providing actionable information for players at nearly all levels. His attention to detail and progressive learning help make it easy to both understand and utilize the information provided quickly. Aside from private coaching and workshops, Matt’s website (www.mattcbruno.com) provides a host of free educational content including chord charts and lessons on songs.
Matt’s educational materials have been widely used by groups like the California Bluegrass Association and the Washington Bluegrass Association in addition to nationally recognized players like Frank Solivan (Dirty Kitchen) who said:
“I absolutely love how Matt C Bruno has laid out his instruction assets. They are easy to read, follow and they will be a continued resource for me when teaching at workshops, music camps and private lessons.” – Frank Solivan
Matt C. Bruno
Pentatonic Scales for Mandolin players – beyond the basics
Paper Bluegrass Revival
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TBD
Danny Waltman
Beginner Bass
Paper Bluegrass Revival
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TBD
Neil Sowinski
Intermediate Banjo
Paper Bluegrass Revival
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TBD
James Triola
Beginner Guitar
Paper Bluegrass Revival
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Workshop Title: The Dobro Workshop
Band Association: The Librarians, Mild Mallard
Workshop Instructor: Nakos Marker
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Workshop Description: This is will be an interactive lesson, with ample time for attendees to ask questions or bring up specific concerns.
Intended Audience: Anyone who plays a horizontal guitar with a bar. All levels of experience are encouraged to attend
Curriculum: It’s no secret that dobro players are few in number, so this workshop will be tailored to who is attending. There will be no handouts and no specific repertoire, licks or tunes covered. We will identify some common bad habits and how to fix them, and look at some basic exercises to develop and reinforce the fundamentals that secretly make you play well, focusing on a jam or performance context.
What your attendees need to bring: Please bring your instrument, a tuner, and anything you are musically struggling with, working on, or interested in.
Bio: For over 15 years, Nakos has strived to be Bellingham’s most versatile dobro player. While lately he is more likely to be found playing other music, he is familiar and friendly with bluegrass. His expertise is in technique, arranging, and single-note melody.
Nakos Marker
The Dobro Workshop
The Librarians, Mild Mallard
Workshop Schedule Here F Printable Workshop Schedule-TBD
Workshop Location Map Here F Printable Map
Note: Schedules and Workshop Locations are subject to change so check back a few days before the festival to make sure you have the correct one.
Printed schedules and maps will be handed out at the festival.