Class Descriptions

VOCAL WORKSHOP

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. Individual attention and support is offered to each person in class as well as for the group as a whole.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Take the leap! Bring paper and pens and pencils! Bring a tape recorder! Bring your wonderful unique self and all your beautiful self - expression! Together, we will create a safe environment to explore the process of creativity through writing. We will get our ideas flowing with the help of fun writing exercises and lively discussion. You will have the opportunity to break out of old writing habits and discover new territory in stalking the wild song.

COSY SHERIDAN - Songwriting & Performance

SONGWRITING: Support, Feedback & Tips

This is a class for trying out what you've been writing - or what you wrote 3 years ago and got stuck at this certain spot and have never known what to do next. We could use the word "critique", but that can sound so daunting! So, it's Support and Feedback. And, we'll talk about some songwriting tools: melody, meter, rhyme and telling your story: that's the "Songwriting Tips" part. If you've never written a song before, we can help you there, too! I love helping new songwriters find their way into this miraculous creative world.

PERFORMANCE (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday only)

Have you always wanted to get on stage but never quite managed to get there? Performance is a skill anyone can learn; it is, quite simply, Enhanced Existence. Come learn to be yourself to the Nth degree! We'll have classes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon; you can drop in and then go hike for an afternoon, or come to class for all 3 days.

KIMBALL HURD - Guitar Embellishments For The Songwriter & Slide Guitar in Standard Tuning

GUITAR EMBELLISHMENTS FOR THE SONGWRITER

This class will focus on some relatively simple ways to improve and enhance your guitar playing as a songwriter, whether playing solo or accompanying someone else. We will explore different areas of chord possibilities and how they can benefit your performance. For instance, what chords actually compliment your song best? We will explore the following areas: 1.What are chord colors and chord inversions and how can we use them in our music 2. How can knowing the finger board help you learn various ways to make the same chord in different positions on the neck; 3. What are chord substitutions and simple ways to vary or spice up your playing; 4. What are dynamics and how can they help develop, build and deliver your song. These approaches will help improve your understanding of guitar playing as well as enhance your personal enjoyment!

NOTE: This class falls in the category of "intermediate," requiring a basic knowledge of first position and barre chords and the ability to move smoothly between chords.

SLIDE GUITAR IN STANDARD TUNING

Are you someone who has always wanted to know more about slide guitar but have been intimidated by the endless variety of guitar tunings? Fear not! A lot can be accomplished by staying right where you are in standard tuning. Although slide guitar is primarily thought to be the realm of the lead guitarist or side man, there is actually a fair amount that the solo performer can incorporate into their own playing. In our time together, we will explore a variety of options for slide guitar in standard tuning that you can incorporate in your playing as well as accompanying and interacting with other musicians.

Bring your choice of slide with you, brass, glass or steel. You want it to fit your left-hand little finger.

ALISA FINEMAN - An Introduction to the Middle Eastern Frame Drum (Riq)

Watch this short YouTube video of Alisa demonstrating techniques of drumming she will teach in this class.

Explore the ancient rhythms of the middle-eastern frame drum known as the "riq." (See description below) This instrument can produce many sounds, tones and rhythms which we will explore in this workshop. Alisa has studied extensively with teacher Layne Redmond, author of When the Women Were Drummers, and often accompanies herself on the riq in concert. You will learn basic technique, drum patterns and interlocking rhythms. By the end of the course you will be comfortable holding the frame drum, have an understanding of how to achieve good tone, and knowledge of rhythms that will inspire a practice you can take home. Come discover the possibility of accompanying yourself on a new instrument!

NOTE: Students will need a frame drum for the course. You can find the Egyptian Tambourine for under $30.00 at the link below Highly recommended is this frame drum: 8.5" diameter, about 2" in width with dual sets of jingles around the rim.
Available at Your World Instruments

MIKE SIMPSON - Introduction To The Guitar

This class is for those just starting out with the guitar, those just returning to the guitar, or those whose start on the guitar has stalled. We will share tools, techniques and passions for this most versatile and rewarding of instruments, learning to let the guitar's own native power lead us into greater proficiency and joy. Specifically: the fingerboard, right hand technique, efficiency in note and tone production, and use of the guitar for solo and accompaniment playing will be covered. And, yep, we'll learn some chords.

DONI KIFFMEYER - Improv Theatre Games

Clsss description pending, but get ready to have some fun.

ERIC JONES - Beginning Mandolin

Learn how to play this small but mighty instrument. Bluegrass amd old time mandolin picker Eric Jones will introduce you to chord positions, picking technique, and simple melody leads with an emphasis on slow jamming. No experience necessary.

CHAD NIEHAUS - Open-Air Art Class

This year the folk camp is offering something unique to music camps - a non-musical course. Chad will be providing instruction on landscape painting and drawing. Weather permitting, you'll go into the field and draw or paint "en plein air" - in the open air. If you already have some art experience and enjoy making visual art, this class will be lots of fun.

To see some of Chad's art, follow THIS LINK