Flatpick Guitar- Steve Kilby -This class will involve learning the techniques used by Maybelle Carter and applying these to some Carter family songs. Students will also learn how to back up fiddle players including the appropriate strum patterns and runs to use. A 30-year veteran of many bands, recordings, and competitions, Steve learned much of the music he plays from his grandfather, and is honored to be part of a living musical tradition. Over the years, Steve's guitar wizardry has earned him many honors: Seven-time Fiddler's Grove guitar champion, Two first-place ribbons and a best all-around performer trophy from Galax Convention, North Carolina State guitar champion.

Intermediate Fiddle- Betty Vornbrock -Instruction will concentrate on bowings, phrasing, and rhythm, while learning a variety of tunes and tempos from the Blue Ridge and West Virginia traditions. This class will explore how to add drive to a dance tune and soul to a slow tune. Betty's playing is influenced by the traditions of West Virginia, the Blue Ridge Mtns., and Kentucky, and is both rhythmic and melodic. She has taught at the Augusta Heritage Workshops in Elkins, WV, has held classes in Pennsylvania, Virginia, D.C., and Georgia, and co-taught several "Dream Retreats" with legendary fiddler J.P. Fraley. Her band, the Reed Island Rounders, performs at festivals and dances throughout the East, and even England and Ireland.

Banjo- Jimbo Cary - Jimbo is a professional musician residing in Massies Mill, VA. He and his wife Kim travel throughout the state performing at schools, festivals, workshops, and dances. They have been recognized as Touring Artists by the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Instruction will focus on 'drop-thumb' clawhammer style for hoedowns and finger-style accompaniment for waltzes and slow tunes.

Banjo- Jim Lloyd - Jim's instruction will focus on the Virginia style (clawhammer) of banjo play. Jim has won awards on guitar, banjo, autoharp and dulcimer. His style of playing has been documented by the Smithsonian Institute. Jim teaches guitar, banjo and even ukulele at his barber shop in Rural Retreat, VA. He has been teaching for 17 years.

Bass- Al Firth - Al plays in a subtle and understated manner, but is very artful in making a band sound cohesive and whole. He prides himself on not being too flashy, and brings out the best in the other players. He wants his students to value their place in a band as the bass player. Al will also teach some subtleties between bass styles, if there is interest in this area. Al has been hooked on Old Time Music ever since he was a youngster in Connecticut, listening to the Saturday Night Jamboree on his fathers old vacuum-tube radio. He appreciates the cross-over between old time and jazz, and is comfortable in any old time, blues, jazz, bluegrass or Cajun session. He has played with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys and Johnny Cash on occasion.

Vocals- Elizabeth LaPrelle - Elizabeth has been around music and singing all of her life. She started her career as a competitive Folk Singer at the age of 11 when she entered and placed in the Youth Folk Song competition at the Mount Airy Fiddler's Convention, in North Carolina. Since then she has competed regularly at numerous Fiddler's conventions and has made performance appearances at various Folk Music gatherings.

"Anyone can learn the old ballads. There are numerous collections in libraries and books that are available on-line. But, Elizabeth is interested in the feel, the sound, the ornamentation of these songs. She is, in my opinion, one of maybe a handful of young singers able to capture the rhythm, the intensity, the breaks and sighs, that make this style of singing authentic. The only problem I have while listening to Elizabeth is that I'm always listening through tears. She reminds me so much of my older relatives - the same profound feeling for the ballad, yet with such a clear voice." Sheila Kay Adams

Workshop Schedule Sunday 5:00-6:00 Welcome, Registration 6:00-7:00 Supper 7:00-9:00 Introduction Monday 7:30-8:30 Breakfast 9:00-12:00 Class 12:00-1:00 Lunch 2:30-5:00 Class 5:30-6:30 Supper 7:00-9:00 Evening Program Tuesday 7:30-8:30 Breakfast 8:30-12:00 Class 12:00-1:00 Lunch 1:30-5:00 Class 5:30-6:30 Supper 7:00-9:00 Evening Program Wednesday 8:00-9:00 Breakfast 10:00 Departure

About this Workshop

• Participation is limited to 15 participants per discipline for a better instructor participant ratio!
• Instruction from great musicians!
• Meals and lodging the entire workshop time!

Cost: Only $275.00!!

This covers all programming fees, instructors, meals, and lodging.

WHAT A DEAL!!!

Refund Policy

• Full: by October 25, 2005
• 50% : after October 25, 2005
• Nonrefundable after November 1, 2005

For more information contact Nate Mahanes at 434-248-5444 or nmahanes@vt.edu