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Week 1

Class Levels

1. Beginner

2. Advanced Beginner

3. Intermediate

4. Advanced

5. Expert

Classes & Teachers

Week 1: July 8-14, 2023

REGISTRATION OPENS MID-MARCH!

Anders

Susan Anders has coached thousands of singers in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Nashville. Her instructional methods and apps have been used by singers and harmonizers worldwide. She’s been writing and performing songs since she grew up in Berkeley, and has released multiple albums throughout the last thirty years. The New Yorker called her “A soulful, commanding voice,” and her most recent release, 13 Women, was deemed “stunning” by Noteworthy Music. Her songs have been recorded by many artists including the Four Bitchin’ Babes, The Irrationals, and The Viper Creek Band. Susan recently moved to Bend, OR, after living for twenty years in Nashville.


Songwriting: Inspiration and Craft (all levels) Come ready to write: Every day we’ll do some in-class prompts and writing games to get our creative mojo ignited. Then we’ll look at some of the tenets of writing good lyrics, melodies, and chord progressions. Studying craft helps us with the all-important rewriting part of songwriting, when we can take a song from good to great. Let’s learn some rules, then talk about when it makes sense to break them.


Vocal Style and Improv (level 2 and up) Every day after a quick vocal warmup we’ll sing a song or two, then look at a bunch of ways to stylize them a little or a lot with phrasing, ornaments, tone textures, the works. We’ll also do a fair amount of call-response, singing games, and circle singing to increase your vocal improv confidence and stylizing skills. We’ll sing songs in a variety of styles: Americana, jazz, folk, blues, and pop. No disco. Pre-requisite: Please be able to sing marginally in tune. Ballpark is fine.

KAT AUSTIN

Austin

Kat Austin is a Northern California native and a classically trained soprano. She has taught voice, guitar, and theory for 10+ years, both as a private instructor and as faculty of the Young Artists’ Conservatory of Music. She has appeared in roles such as Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Papagena and First Lady in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, and Poppea in Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, among others, and has been a featured soloist for works such as Mozart's Mass in C Major, Faure's Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah. In addition to her classical career, Kat is also the front woman and guitarist for up-and-coming folk rock band Katalysst. She is currently performing her sixth season with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and holds a degree in Vocal Performance from UC Davis.


Beginning Guitar (level 1) A class for complete beginners. All you need is enthusiasm (and a guitar!). Watch how fast you can start making music, using only a couple chords to play some of your favorite songs. We’ll cover the basic tools and tips you need to create a strong musical foundation that will serve you well beyond camp.


Advanced Vocal Troubleshooting (level 3–5) Are you struggling to be a better singer? Is something holding you back from your full potential? We’ll examine many of the pitfalls that plague singers and learn how to navigate them using proper technique and musical choices. There will be lots of targeted troubleshooting, so bring questions and songs you want to work on.

Carvalho

Marco de Carvalho is a Brazilian musician originally from Rio de Janeiro. He graduated from the prestigious Music Conservatory of Rio de Janeiro under Juarez Carvalho and Sergio Vale, where he studied composition and harmony under Luiz Eça and Ronaldo Miranda. Marco has been a performance guitarist, composer, and arranger for thirty years and plays an extensive repertoire of music from Rio, as well as his own compositions. He has played with many musicians in Brazil and the U.S., and has recorded on numerous CDs and soundtracks.


Intro to Rio-Style Guitar (level 2) This class will introduce players to the bossa nova style from Rio. We’ll develop techniques for both the left and right hands. Tudo bem!


Intro to Rio-Style Harmony (level 3) For players with a solid understanding of theory and harmony, this class will focus on chord voicings and alterations that better facilitate the harmony of a song. We’ll learn to build chords on our own—without having to memorize them—by visually understanding the fingerboard in a vertical and horizontal way.

Coyle

Stevie Coyle is one lucky bum. His dad brought home records from the radio station that didn’t fit the Spanish-language format. Lots of records. Guitar records. His grandmother was in Vaudeville. His mother played mandolin. String-meister David Lindley played in a bluegrass band that rehearsed right next door and gave Stevie his very first lessons. Stevie’s course was set very early. Not even several years of playing Folk Masses every Sunday could quash his musical spirit, and in high school, he began fingerpicking, inspired by that first Hot Tuna album. He co-founded whiz-bang string band The Waybacks, and toured nationally and internationally with them for seven years. They collaborated with Lloyd Maines, Michelle Shocked, and Bob Weir (of The Grateful Dead). Stevie toured as a solo act for five years after that. And ten years ago, he opened his own high-end acoustic guitar shop—Mighty Fine Guitars, in Lafayette, CA—and is now thrilled to be once again collaborating with fellow former Waybacks Glenn Houston and Chris Kee as The Quitters.


Picking (level 2–3) Travis picking. Pattern picking. Alternating bass. Whatever you call it, let’s get you started (or re-started) on it. Learn how to execute finger-picking patterns, drive them into muscle memory, and finally, exploit “the pattern within the pattern.”


Advanced Fingerstyle (level 4–5) Get more intentional about your fingerstyle playing. We’ll decode that mysterious CAGED system that unlocks those nether regions way up the neck. We’ll also get you “singing into the fretboard” to figure songs out quickly, and you’ll learn the almost distressingly few chord progressions that will fit about 85% of the songs you want to play. Alternate tunings? Hmmm. You wanna?

Danzig

Mandy Lynn Danzig plays almost anything with strings. During her shows—rollicking, joy-filled romps through traditional and original music—she flows effortlessly from one instrument to another, weaving in and out of songs with her effervescent storytelling. As a teacher, she is dedicated to the idea that the act of making music belongs in everyone’s life, regardless of skill. Classes are a supportive collaboration between student and teacher in pursuit of that goal. She is on Facebook and Instagram as MandyLynnDanzig, and can be found online at www.MandyLynnDanzig.com.


Start or Deepen Your Ukelele Playing (level 1–3) This class is a warm, supportive home for first-time players as well as folks who’ve already got the basics down. We’ll arm beginners with the skills to enjoy a lifetime of strumming, while giving intermediate players some skills and ideas to spice up their playing.


Exploring Alternate Tunings on the Guitar (level 3–4) Alternate tunings add depth, range, and unique chord and melodic possibilities on the guitar. Learn how to get started with alternate tunings, including how to find your way around chords in each tuning, different ways to think about harmony, and skills for working fills and countermelodies into your accompaniment.

Glassman

Katie Glassman is one of the country’s most renowned and decorated Texas-style and swing fiddlers, as well as an accomplished songwriter, singer, and educator. She’s a four-time National Swing fiddle champion and two-time National Divisional champion. Based in Denver, CO, Katie toured and recorded with the renowned trio The Western Flyers—winners of the 2018 Best Western Swing Group (Ameripolitan Awards) and Western Swing Album of the Year (Western Music Association and the Academy of Western Artists) for Wild Blue Yonder. Katie is the founder, owner, and primary instructor at FiddleSchool.com, an online academy offering fiddlers around the world the opportunity to learn, improve, and progress in Texas-style fiddling, Western swing, and early jazz.


Western Swing Improvisation (level 3–5) We’ll learn some twin fiddle tunes to capture the styling, bowings, and embellishments of early Western swing bands like Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. Then we’ll delve into the key ingredients for improvising a solo. You’ll be a Western swing improviser in no time!


Fiddle Tunes With Variations (level 2–3) The evolution of a fiddle tune is like playing the old game of telephone: As the tune gets passed down by ear, from generation to generation and from fiddle to fiddler, small melody changes naturally occur, variations are added, and the tune grows over time. But because respect for the original melody is an unspoken code in Texas-style fiddling, even the oldest tunes remain recognizable. We’ll look at the origins of fiddle tune melodies and follow them into countless variations.

CHRIS GRAMPP

Grampp

Chris Grampp has played jazz, blues, rock, and traditional music in bands and as a soloist for many years in the Bay Area. He has studied guitar with Tuck Andress, Warren Nunes, and Davis Ramey, and has written lessons for Acoustic Guitar magazine. He has taught for many years at CCMC, the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, and music festival workshops.


On-the-Spot Arrangements (level 3–5) Each day we’ll break into groups and create real-time arrangements for pop, rock, folk, country, and swing tunes. Vocalists and all instruments are welcome. Lots of playing in class.


Daily Groove (level 2–3) We’ll practice rhythmic accompaniment patterns for blues, country, pop, swing, and rock, and pay special attention to right-hand strumming techniques. All chordal instruments (and bass players!) are welcome. Lots of playing in class.

Johnson

Classical. Brazilian. R&B. Jazz. Afro-Cuban. Pop. Rock and Roll. Funk. Folk. Ed Johnson’s mastery of so many different styles, coupled with a passion for harmony vocal and horn arrangements, all factor into a magical blend of vibrant, original contemporary jazz that has won fans and airplay worldwide. As a vocalist, Ed is frequently compared to Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, Kenny Rankin, and Michael Franks. As a guitarist and bandleader, critics often cite the sounds of Airto and Flora Purim. Ed has seven recording projects to his credit, in addition to producer credits for numerous artists. He currently performs and records with his Brazilian jazz ensemble Novo Tempo, as well as with the Americana roots band Cabin Fever NW.


Brazilian Ensemble (levels 3–5) Discover the rich tapestry and traditions of Brazilian music in a fun group setting! We’ll explore samba, bossa nova, choro, baião, and forró. All instruments (including voice!) and levels are welcome, and some percussion instruments will be provided. Learn parts that fit your level and we’ll put it all together in a dynamic group sound! Sheet music in both standard notation and tab will be provided, as well as an emphasis on learning by ear.


Love Is Harmony! (all levels) If you love to sing multi-part harmony, come join the choir! We’ll sing 3-, 4-, and 5-part arrangements in a variety of styles including rock, jazz, R&B, and folk. All levels welcome, with prior singing experience recommended. You can learn from written notation which is provided, or by ear, or both!

ADAM KULAKOW

Kulakow

Adam Kulakow has played with singers, songwriters, and ensembles all over Southern California, where he has also worked for many years in film and TV. He currently performs, writes, and records with his Americana roots band, The Wholesome, and plays mandolin, guitar, ukulele, and banjo on their all-originals debut album, Alive Tonight. Adam is also part of the team at Katie Glassman’s Fiddle School and is a regular teacher and jam leader at their camps and special events.


Songs to Start Jamming (level 2) Get grooving on a variety of songs and styles, from folk and country to blues and classic rock. Learn the chords and strums that go with some of our favorite songs along with the occasional bass run, fill, or riff that can really light up a campfire jam. We’ll also explore some theory basics like notes, chords, and keys, so that you’ll deepen your musical vocabulary—and have more fun joining the jam.


Instigator Whether it’s finding (or starting) that perfect jam or helping you pick the right class for your interests and level, I’m here to help. I’m all about maximizing the camp experience, from slow jams to songwriting circles to party jams, keeping the fun in music while stretching ourselves and trying new things. Want support for a song you’re working on for class, coffeehouse or the student concert? Ask me! Want to talk music or camp? Let’s talk! Want to play a tune? Let’s play!

Molinelli

Ami Molinelli is a professional percussionist and educator specializing in American Roots, Brazilian, and Latin percussion. Her performance and recording credits include theater and television, and she's a freelance performing artist. She’s endorsed by Latin Percussion (LP) and Rhythm Tech. She is co-founder of the choro group Grupo Falso Baiano, which has three albums, and leads the Brazilian Jazz Collective group in San Francisco.


Rhythm Games and Percussion Ear Training (all levels) How do you play percussion with an ensemble? How do you read rhythm notation? What is the history/origin of some essential grooves from the African Diaspora (e.g., Bo Diddley, bossa nova, blues, hambone, clave)? This class is a mix of rudiments and games that showcase cultural contexts. Frame drums/instruments provided as needed.


Pandeiro: More Than a Tambourine! (all levels) This class will explain various Brazilian rhythms, styles, techniques, and yes… how to perform tricks such as rocking and "rolling" on your pandeiro, which we’ll use in conjunction with other percussion instruments. Styles include choro, samba, funk, 6/8, odd meters and more! Pandeiros provided.

Peters

Veteran Seattle guitarist Ron Peters has played professionally for many years, appearing with acts including The Manhattan Transfer, Jennifer Scott, Lance Buller, Stephanie Porter, The Northwest Sinfonietta, Pearl Django, and Sylvia Herold, to name a few. When not performing, he teaches privately and at music camps and workshops in the U.S. and Canada.


Bingo Chords (level 4–5) Chord extensions (like 9, 11, and 13) add color to your playing. Using some standard tunes as models, we’ll discuss how to use and alter extensions to spice up your comping and arrangements. Some theory background is helpful.


Left Hand Logic (level 2–3) Seeing the musical logic of chord progressions will help you navigate your way through any tune. We’ll analyze some tunes and common chord progressions, and learn how to “voice lead” the changes using compact, easy-to-play chord shapes.

Rosefield

Cindy Browne Rosefield is the Director of Instrumental Studies and the Coordinator of the Music Business Certificate at Las Positas College in Livermore, CA, where she also teaches Music Theory, American Cultures in Jazz, and History of Rock & Roll. Cindy performs and records with various groups, including Wake the Dead and the Tom Reynolds Conspiracy. She has toured extensively throughout Europe, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, Canada, and the U.S., and performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Concord Jazz Festival, SF Jazz Festival, the California Jazz Conservatory, and many other jazz and folk music festivals around the world. She also serves on the Board of the Livermore Jazz Society, a nonprofit organization that hosts musical performances of jazz and other underserved musical genres through house concerts and local venues.


Basically Bass (level 1–2) Starting with the basics, we’ll work on left/right hand techniques. We'll explore all the possibilities of the bassist role, from side person to soloist, and even have some fun becoming a "melody" instrument through basic improvisation. Feel free to bring a song you’d like to explore. Open to all instrumentalists and vocalists to sit in and learn a few tricks of the bass trade.


Swinging, Groovin', and Soloing Bass (level 3–5) We’ll work on making your bass lines dance in different styles, including swinging two-beat and walking bass, Latin grooves, funky R&B, and rock bass lines. We’ll also dig deeper into the harmonic and melodic function of tunes and work on soloing concepts via a tune a day.

Setiawan

Originally from Goshen, Indiana, Ethan Setiawan won both the National Mandolin Championship at Winfield, KS and the Rockygrass Mandolin Championship. After studying with Don Stiernberg, Setiawan attended Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. On his new album, Gambit, Setiawan moves aptly between stylistic influences, harkening back to the experimental string band music pioneered in the early ’80s while presenting entirely original compositions. In addition to his solo projects, Setiawan is an in-demand side man, and can be seen playing with his band Corner House, Darol Anger, and Tony Trischka among others. He has taught the mandolin and assorted classes at Ossipee Valley String Camp, Ashokan Western & Swing Week, Great Lakes Music Camp, 317 Community Music Center, Club Passim School of Music, and TG Music.


Choro and Other South American Music (level 2–5) In this class for mandolinists, we’ll check out some South American music/folk forms as well as their modern extensions and innovations. Styles may include choro, samba, zamacueca, lando, and joropo, from Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. We’ll learn tunes, and break down the rhythmic and melodic bones that make these styles tick. Come prepared to learn a bunch of rhythms and tunes by ear!


Unsticking the Mandolin (level 3–5) For intermediate and above mandolinists, especially those who may want to move past that plateau they may have been sitting on for a while. We’ll do a comprehensive overview of mandolin technique and musical facility, including ideas for the right and left hands, chords, ear training, metronomes, composition, creativity, and improvisation. Our musical examples will mostly pull from swing and jazz, with some forays into the worlds of Dawg/New Acoustic music.

Smith

An explorer of the rich treasury of American roots music—bluegrass, jug band, country blues, wwing jazz, and vintage country music—Cyd Smith has blended these sonic ingredients into her own unique brew of songwriting and guitar playing. She is an explorer of the unexpected, lyrically, harmonically, and melodically. She is a treasured teacher at music camps for adults throughout the country, including Augusta Heritage Festival, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, and many others.


Harmony in Songwriting: Coloring In and Out of the Lines (all levels) Have you ever noticed how an unexpected chord can make an ordinary melody extraordinary? Or deepen the emotional impact of a lyric? We’ll look at songs that skillfully use harmony to enhance the effect of melody and lyrics. We’ll make up a melody and experiment with different ways of coloring it in with chords. Then we’ll reverse the experiment and take an existing chord progression and write a melody over it, as a means of getting out of your comfort zone as a songwriter. This class is for songwriters and anyone interested in what makes you fall in love with a song.


First Guitar Solo (level 2–3) Ready to bust out with your first guitar solo? Starting where you are, you’ll learn how to use what you already know to play a coherent solo. We’ll use riffs, melodies, chords, and simple scales to launch you into confident lead playing.

Street Man

Chic Street Man is a uniquely talented artist with an international following. His music transcends cultural and attitudinal barriers, bringing home his message of harmony and ethnic diversity through acoustic bluesy ballads, funky rhythms, and jazzy upbeat originals. Chic is also a celebrated communications facilitator and has presented for many organizations, including The Young Presidents Organization (YPO) in Austria, Switzerland, Australia, and the U.S. His “Freedom of Expression” workshop uses the stage to empower participants to strengthen their ability to connect with others.


The Freedom of Expression (all levels) Holding someone’s attention requires a willingness to connect. This class focuses on fun group exercises that explore “letting go and being yourself.” We’ll work on scat, rhythms, mic technique, and making eye contact. Participants are encouraged to be honest, relaxed, and enjoy risk-taking and the creative process. You’ll leave with a new confidence in your ability to communicate.


Country Blues (level 3) We’ll explore country blues fingerpicking, emphasizing double thumb patterns and syncopated rhythms and licks, with and without fingerpicks.

Ward

Daniel Ward grew up in New Mexico, exposed to a wide variety of musical styles, including Mexican mariachi, Spanish flamenco, world music, and jazz. By the time he completed a degree in classical guitar and composition, Daniel was also playing electric jazz, flamenco guitar with dancers, percussion, trumpet, lute, and world beat music. As a guitarist, he toured with Dance España, Maria Benitez, Yjastros, and Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra In 2009 he moved to Hollywood, and fell in love with the ukulele. He has become a premier ukulele performer known for his command of Latin and world styles, and performs and teaches at festivals across the U.S. and abroad. Daniel contributes lessons to both Ukulele and Acoustic Guitar.


Flamenco Training Wheels! (level 3) We’ll cover several techniques over the week, apply them to Flamenco forms, and explore using these incredible rudiments in music you already know, so you can spice up your playing no matter what your style is. If you have a nylon string guitar this is the class for it, but a steel will work if that’s what you got.


Ukulele Chord Melody (level 3-4) Learn how to make your uke really sing. We’ll cover how to wind melodies through chords and rhythm. It’s so satisfying to deliver a song through the strings alone, and not as difficult as you might think. Material includes short and easy-to-learn pieces and some familiar faves.

Zyngier

Olivier Zyngier has been performing and teaching bluegrass and swing guitar, mandolin, and bass for many years. He has been a member or leader of several bands, from world music (French, klezmer, Balkan) to bluegrass and country, jazz, and swing. He’s been a T.A. and teacher at various bluegrass camps and festivals. He teaches swing guitar and leads the bluegrass jam at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley.


Intro to Swing Guitar (level 3) Ready to move from bluegrass, country, or folk to swing? Learn how to get that swing feel and play those spicy chords and rhythms used in western swing, gypsy jazz, and the Great American Songbook.


Make a Band (level 2 and up) How does a band work? We’ll learn about band dynamics, practicing, choosing songs, finding keys and chords, and creating an arrangement—everything that makes it fun for you and the audience. Open to all instruments and singers of any style.

Week 2

Class Levels

1. Beginner

2. Advanced Beginner

3. Intermediate

4. Advanced

5. Expert

Classes & Teachers

Week 2: July 15-21, 2023

REGISTRATION OPENS MID-MARCH!

Award-winning artist and Maui native Neal Chin has been both an ‘ukulele educator and performer over the course of his musical career of twenty years. His clear and direct enthusiasm for music has come to life in countless workshops, concerts, and private instruction. He's been nominated for the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for ‘Ukulele Album of the Year two years consecutively, for ‘Ukulele Paintings and The Spotless Mind, in 2017 and 2018. Neal has toured across the U.S. and currently lives, teaches, and performs in Seattle, WA.


Essence of the ‘Ukulele (level 1–2) Are you ‘ukulele curious? Join us as we explore its wonderfully wide world! We’ll cover basic techniques, work on some ‘ukulele standards, dig into the history, and ultimately create a lens to approach the instrument, highlighting its unique voice.


‘Ukulele Growth (level 3–4) You’ve learned a handful of chords, you’re picking a few of your favorite melodies, and maybe even started learning a bit of chord melody. Take your playing to the next level by learning how to play in groups, work on advanced techniques, and peek into the art of the solo ‘ukulele.

Bryan Cooperrider is a percussionist, multi-instrumentalist, and educator focusing on jazz, Americana, Brazilian, and African music. He teaches music at all levels, from young kids to professionals. He founded the Brazilian percussion ensemble Sambatuque, and performs regularly with his jazz trio The Flat Fives, as well as sitting in with numerous other groups. Bryan has taught music at the high school and college level (FALA, Northern Arizona University), and at music camps (PSGW, Curry Music Camp), as well as numerous community and professional workshops.


Cajón: It’s Not Just a Box! (all levels) Have you been dragging one from jam to jam, playing the same rhythmic accompaniment? Learn hand and brush techniques, basic patterns for a variety of styles, and some fills and embellishments—as well as ways to start creating your own style and rhythm vocabulary. Your homework is to practice each night at a jam!


Your Total Rhythm Workout (all levels) Playing with a metronome isn’t the only way to learn to stay in time! In this class devoted completely to rhythm, we’ll cover some theory (head), rhythmic movement (body), and jamming (practice).

NOVA KARINA DEVONIE

Nova Karina Devonie is a busy Seattle musician who delights audiences with her sensitive accordion playing, sonorous singing style, and sideways fashion sense. Interested in the amazing connection and communication that music can provide, she loves adding accordion to many styles of music. Nova divides her time between performing in bands, teaching private music lessons, and composing music with David Miles Keenan for the duo Miles & Karina. Nova has been on staff at CCMC, PSGW, and the Port Townsend Ukulele Festival, and with Miles & Karina, has performed live original scores for silent films in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.


Creative Comforts (all levels) Let’s get comfortable on stage with techniques to deal with stage fright, craft a performance, connect with your audience, and actually enjoy the experience!


Instrumentalist Nova will be helping out in classes, jams, and concerts, lending her piano accordion stylings and musical knowledge wherever needed. Let’s play a tune together!

Amy Friedricks is a veteran song leader and has been known to be the last one standing at many a jam. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, she teaches guitar, ukulele, acoustic and electric bass, and has been on the teaching staff at CCMC, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Moab Folk Camp, and many other music camps and ukulele workshops. Amy was the bassist/vocalist for The Quarry Persons, a Beatles tribute band, and the Dandelion Jazz Quartet. She regularly performs with an eclectic mix of musicians showcasing a range of styles including Americana, Celtic, klezmer, and swing.


Beginning Guitar (level 1) We’ll go slow and get you started on a musical journey that will change your life. Wonder why the guitar is the most popular instrument? Just a few chords and strums in your hands and you’ll be playing and singing classic songs.


Instigator New to an instrument? Join us at the Slow Jam every afternoon (4 chords or less!). Need a musical matchmaker for your level/style? Or a camp experience navigator? Playing music with others is such a joy; let’s make it happen.

Since Nina Gerber first gained recognition accompanying Kate Wolf, her acute skills as a performer, producer, and arranger have continued to deepen. Her contributions to acoustic music have earned her a loyal following and proven that, when it comes to creating honest, powerful, and beautiful music, the shadow can equal the spotlight. Nina has a unique ability to completely free herself within an eclectic range of styles. Presented with folk, country, bluegrass, rock, or blues, she falls into leads that have rare reverence for the true feeling of a song, always emphasizing taste over technical display. She seeks to express through her hands, rather than to gain attention, and it is this integrity that makes her expressions worth intent listening.


Play Well With Others (level 4–5) Playing music with people can be an extremely exciting, rewarding, and moving experience. Beyond banging out the same chords at the same time (a good start), groove, dynamics, and connection help create an inspiring musical moment. So bring your instrument, your voice, your courage, and we’ll explore ways to listen to and connect with each other, and go deeper with music.


Theory Applied to Guitar (level 3–5) Knowing where you are, where you’re going, and how to get there makes for a smoother trip. This class will start you on the path to understanding the fretboard. Whether you’re looking to play more leads or find more chords, a little knowledge goes a long way (practicing helps too).

Sylvia Herold brings to CCMC a deep enthusiasm and knowledge of jazz, swing, and folk songs. Researching songs and developing guitar arrangements fuels her artistic passion. Her performing credits include the popular swing trio Cats & Jammers, Euphonia, Hot Club of San Francisco, and Sylvia Herold & the Rhythm Bugs. Sylvia currently performs with the Celtic Grateful Dead band, Wake the Dead, and her jazz combo, the Sylvia Herold Ensemble. She is a popular guitar and repertoire teacher at Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, California Coast Music Camp, British Columbia Swing Camp, Colorado Roots Music Camp, Lark in the Morning, and the Ashokan Center.


Cowboy Songs for Voice and Guitar (level 2–3) We’ll delve into an assortment of lesser-known gems concerning cowboys, life on the range, and the beauties of the West. We’ll cover several styles, including early American songs of the trail, recently composed, and Hollywood cowboy songs.


Swing Repertoire for the Singing Guitarist (level 3 and up) Explore this deeply satisfying style as you study songs beloved by jazz singers. Build chord vocabulary and work on right-hand techniques for control and power. You’ll learn a selection of jazz and swing songs to delight and inspire you. Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic four-note jazz chords.

Originally from Montana, Coty Hogue is a singer and multi-instrumentalist whom Alice Gerrard (of Hazel and Alice) has called “an impressive young talent.” She has released three albums and been featured on BBC radio and Sirius XM satellite radio. Her rendition of the traditional song “Going to the West” charted #1 on the FOLK-DJ radio charts; “Oh Wind” is featured in the independent film Neon Sky. She performs throughout the northwest with her trio and teaches banjo, guitar, and songwriting both privately and at music camps.


Modal Banjo Tunes (level 2–4) Explore the haunting sounds of modal tuning! Each day we’ll learn a new tune, as well as practice some improvising. You’ll need basic "bum-ditty" clawhammer skills. Some comfort with the drop-thumb technique would be useful, but isn’t required.


Fingerstyle Guitar (level 2–3) Got the basic strum down and looking to add more pizzazz to your right hand? Using familiar songs as our base, each day we’ll learn a new right-hand fingerpicking technique. My goal is for you to feel comfortable calling yourself a fingerstyle guitar player!

David Miles Keenan is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, teacher, band leader, producer, music director, and gardener based in Seattle, Washington.


Biscuits & Gravy (level 3) Ingredients for a country lead guitar solo: notes and rhythm. We’ll start with very simple shapes in the keys of G and C, and learn how to apply them to some standard country songs. Expect lots of playing in class. All instruments welcome.


Meet the Flatpick (level 2) Ready to start using a flatpick? We’ll cover the absolute basics, progress through boom-chuck rhythm picking, and continue onward adding melodies to chord progressions in “Carter style.” You should be able to switch between basic chords and be ready to play a LOT!

Guitarist/songwriter Adam Levy has created a remarkable body of work over the past 25 years. He’s been featured on recordings by Norah Jones, Amos Lee, Lisa Loeb, Tracy Chapman, Allen Toussaint, Vulfpeck, and many other artists. He has a dozen original recordings to his credit as a solo artist as well, and has authored several instructional books and video courses. His popular YouTube series "Guitar Tips" was launched in 2014 and has since spawned two Patreon channels. Adam has written dozens of feature articles for Guitar Player, Acoustic Guitar, and Fretboard Journal


Voice Leading for Songwriters & Accompanists (level 3) For players and songwriters who want to study the inner workings of chord progressions, including voice leading, pedal tones, and passing chords. We’ll look at numerous examples from popular music, as well as jazz and classical, and learn how to apply these concepts to your own songs and arrangements.


Jazz/Swing Band (all levels) Each day, students will organize into small groups, practice a song, and then perform it for the rest of the class. Coaching and feedback will help you hone your performance prowess and your plays-well-with-others skills.

Carol McComb is a vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with over 40 years of performing, recording, and teaching experience. She wrote a best-selling guitar instruction book and has taught thousands of people to play guitar and sing in her workshop series at Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto. She is a frequent contributor to Acoustic Guitar magazine and has taught at several music camps around the country. Carol was a member of the popular California-based band the Gryphon Quintet, and has toured with both Linda Ronstadt and Joan Baez. She is currently one half of the duo Kathy and Carol. In 2023, Carol joined the fabulous staff at Peghead Nation as their song accompaniment teacher.


Acoustic Rock for Folkies (level 2–3) Fabulous songs from several decades of rock songs for both flat and fingerstyle pickers. Come join in the fun as we survey songs by the Beatles, the Eagles, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Green Day, John Lennon, Tom Petty, Shawn Colvin, and many more. Some tablature will be provided for those who like to use it.


High Lonesome Harmony (all levels) Duets and trios from country and bluegrass greats. Join us as we sing our hearts out and learn how to get the sound that can melt the tar off the road and raise the hair on the back of our necks. A little bit of harmony theory will be included.

Quirky conversations, odd jobs, narrow escapes; Michael McNevin songs read like short stories—full of heart, humor, and a keen eye for detail. Skillful guitar work and seasoned vocals underscore the characters and places of his travels: a scarecrow in love, a busking clown on a frozen Michigan lake, a trailer mechanic in Barstow, a night spent in a Jersey jail. Michael tours the U.S. and regularly offers workshops at festivals, songwriter retreats, and colleges coast to coast. Every January, he co-directs the Pacific Songwriting Camp in Cambria, CA. Michael is an eight-time “Song of the Year” winner for West Coast Songwriters, a Performing Songwriter magazine top twelve DIY Artist of the Year, a Kerrville New-Folk Winner, and a Top Three at the Telluride and Rocky Mountain Folks Fest troubadour competitions.


The Wordle Is Your Oyster (all levels) Phrase rhyming, non-sequiturs, and even the NYT Wordle puzzle make for great song prompts. Michael’s easy and fun techniques yield surprisingly rich results. These guided free-writes will spill “unique to you” song content onto your blank page. Discover a trove of song starts, hooks, and story angles you never thought you’d think.


Writing the Movies in Your Head (all levels) Michael’s songwriting uses short fiction techniques and non-rhyming narratives to explore character and dialogue, place and action, metaphor and suspense. Add layers and life to your lyric, explore melodies for mood. Rework an old song or write a new one from scratch. Writing fiction or or drawing from your own life, the content, tools, and tricks of visual storytelling let a song be seen, like a movie.

Greg Schochet is a full-time performer, teacher and producer in Boulder, Colorado. Equally adept on guitar and mandolin, he is fluent in all manner of acoustic and electric styles, specializing in bluegrass, swing, and country. He was lead guitarist for Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams, Colorado’s beloved and venerable honky-tonk and western swing band, for sixteen years. Greg is an integral part of Colorado’s thriving roots music scene, and is a sought-after instructor, session player, producer, and collaborator. A veteran of many teaching camps, Greg was also guitar and mandolin teacher at Woodsongs Music, Colorado’s premier acoustic music store, for some twenty years. His teaching practice centers on preparing students to thrive in ensemble settings, whether it be a campground jam or a working band. Greg’s enthusiasm for the music he teaches, as well as his personable manner and attention to detail, have earned him a loyal and committed student body.


Bluegrass Guitar Boot Camp (level 2–3) This class is all about getting the reps in! We’ll look at the essential elements of good bluegrass guitar playing, make sure everything is in order, and drill the good habits. We’ll give ’em 10 on solid rhythm, smooth picking, good tone, and making smart choices at the jam.


Norman Blake–Style Guitar (level 4–5) At 84, Norman Blake continues to amaze and confound guitar pickers everywhere. We’ll get inside his unique style and technique, adding open-string drones to a Carter-style melody and learning the magic right-hand roll. We’ll look at some tunes and songs he plays, like Hand Me Down My Walking Cane, Last Train From Poor Valley, and more.

Jennifer Scott is a Vancouver-born vocalist and jazz pianist specializing in jazz, blues, and world music. She is considered one of the most important jazz artists working in Canada and the United States today. From sold-out concerts in San Francisco to exclusive local club performances, Jennifer’s performance experiences have been varied. Jennifer has appeared at jazz festivals all across Canada and the U.S., appearing with such jazz luminaries as: Tommy Banks, Don Thompson, Jon Batiste, Kenny Wheeler, Skywalk, and Hugh Fraser, to name a few. She has numerous ongoing musical projects, including performing as the pianist/vocalist for San Francisco–based Novo Tempo, a Brazilian/jazz fusion group, and is a founding member of Crossing Borders, an international jazz group that performs and records music from the heart. Crossing Borders has released two CDs and performed at Kuumbwa and the Monterey Jazz Festival. Jennifer continues to perform at festivals worldwide and has two new recordings: Live at Samson Winery and Music for Bigs and Smalls. Her duo recordings and concerts with bassist/husband René Worst are critically acclaimed. Jennifer is in demand as an educator and clinician in the U.S. and Canada, and has taught and created many workshops and college courses.


Your Body, Your Voice (all levels) Using movement and vocal techniques, we’ll take a relaxed and safe approach to get to know (or repair) your voice. Breath support, connecting from low to high range, creating a beautiful sound effortlessly—these are all things a singer needs! We’ll also sing some songs (provided) to show off our new skills.


Vocal Explorations (level 3 and up) Singing solos and duets, we’ll focus on tone, breath, hearing harmony, and gaining strength vocally and artistically. Bring a solo song you can work on in class and a good ear for learning on the fly!

Jon Shain is a veteran singer-songwriter known for his words and his fiery acoustic guitar work, and an evolved musical style that combines improvised Piedmont blues with bluegrass, swing, and ragtime. As a young man, he had the good fortune to learn directly from a number of North Carolina’s older blues players, and became a member of Big Boy Henry’s backing band. Jon is the 2019 winner of the International Blues Challenge in the solo/duo category. His album Gettin' Handy with the Blues: A Tribute to the Legacy of W.C.Handy was published last year by Mel Bay as a book of fingerstyle guitar arrangements. Also a record producer, Shain has produced a number of successful folk and roots records for other artists at Good Luck Studio in Chapel Hill, NC.


Piedmont Blues Guitar 1 (level 2–3) We’ll work on fingerstyle basics as applied to Piedmont blues—alternating thumb, adding melody in the treble strings, bass runs, and a few chords up the neck. Some tablature reading will be helpful, so we’ll do a quick primer on it at the beginning of the class.


Piedmont Blues Guitar 2 (level 4) A more advanced class for players who are confident alternate thumb pickers, already playing some blues, and can read tab. We’ll look at improvising as a solo guitarist, both in the bass and in the treble, and a few ragtime-style tunes.

LEAH WOLLENBERG

Leah Wollenberg started playing fiddle when she was 6 years old, and has never looked back. In her years of playing, she's explored a plethora of fiddle styles from North America and Northern Europe, and brought her fiddle to jazz programs at Berkeley High School and Oberlin Conservatory. Nowadays you can find her in Irish sessions and bluegrass jams around the Bay Area, teaching fiddle at Manning Music in Berkeley, working in the education department at Freight & Salvage, and occasionally throwing down vocal harmonies with her musical hero Laurie Lewis.


How Do You Play This Thing? (level 2–4) Let's face it, fiddle is hard. Luckily, there are a lot of simple technique changes that can make it easier. We’ll work on loosening up, getting more sound out of the instrument, establishing a better connection between the bow and the string, moving our fingers more efficiently, and much more. We’ll also talk about how to get the most out of our practice time and how to feel less pain while playing.


Fiddle Tune Tour (level 3–5) A smorgasbord for folks who want to explore tunes in a wide range of musical styles. Each day we’ll touch on a different fiddle tradition from the U.S., Canada, the British Isles, and Scandinavia, cramming in as many as we can! Instruction will be by ear, sheet music provided at the end of the class. Anyone who wants to learn some tunes is welcome, regardless of instrument.

René Worst, an internationally known bass player, has established himself as one of the most influential and leading jazz voices in North America for several decades. He attended the UBC School of Music and Douglas College jazz program, and was voted Bassist of the Year by the BC CARAS Tribute to West Coast Music for the four years that the awards were given. René was co-leader of the now-legendary fusion band Skywalk, which has six CDs to their credit. He has toured Canada with jazz legends Chet Baker, Gene Bertoncini, and Joe Pass. On the international scene, he has toured the former Soviet Union with Paul Horn. He is also the bassist with Brazilian band Novo Tempo and multi-disciplinary ensemble Crossing Borders; both bands have toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is a virtuoso on both string and electric bass. René has recorded and performed with numerous jazz greats, including Jack Sheldon, Tommy Banks, Herb Ellis, Freddie Hubbard, Ernestine Anderson, John Faddis, and Don Thompson, to name a few, and has recorded and produced seven CDs for musical partner Jennifer Scott, one of the top jazz artists in Canada, including the highly acclaimed Emotional Girl. He has also been featured as a session player on recordings by Jennifer Love Hewitt, David Bowie, Aerosmith, and Poison, to name a few. René has released a duo album with pianist Miles Black called Two; it has received much critical acclaim. René’s studio work include jingles, album projects, and movie scores. As a noted producer, René has helmed recordings for Sandy Foster, Megan Fanning, Skywalk, and Crossing Borders. This year, René released the Jennifer Scott CDs Live at Samson Winery and Music for Bigs and Smalls as bassist and producer, and was featured on new releases by Ed Johnson and Hans Staymer. He also released a second duo CD, El Escorial, with pianist Miles Black.


Bass Basics (level 1–2) We’ll cover left- and right-hand positions—and coordination between the two! Learn how to find the notes on the bass with a variety of song styles and feels: bluegrass, country, classic pop and swing.


From the Bottom Up! (level 3–4) Take your bass playing to the next level by stepping up your technique. Walking lines, funky and Latin grooves, a little functional harmony to spice up your solos!

Born in the Czech Republic and now based in California, U.S. Mandolin Champion Radim Zenkl has worldwide credentials, including guest appearances at prestigious music institutions such as the Berklee College of Music in Boston and Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. He’s taught at more than eighty music camps over the last thirty years.


Beginning Mandolin (level 1–2) Starting with the basics (although students with some playing experience will benefit from it as well), we’ll cover right-hand techniques, left-hand positions, tremolo, chords, backup rhythms, introduction to improvising, and learn a few tunes in the old-time and blues styles. Our goal is enabling you to join a jamming circle in a couple of days.


The World of Mandolin (level 3–4) We’ll focus on bluegrass and swing, featuring typical aspects such as chord forms, strumming patterns, and techniques. Many “trade secrets” will be revealed, including a step-by-step system for improving your improvisation skills.

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