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Whether you're a seasoned musician or a novice, you'll want to take advantage of the opportunity to hone your skills with a lesson from the pros. The Black Hills Bluegrass Festival offers an array of excellent Saturday morning workshops hosted by the performers. Sixty-minute sessions begin at 9 am. Please check the festival schedule for individual times. Participation is free with a festival ticket ($25 advance). Those wishing to participate the workshops may purchase a one day pass for $20. Saturday, June 26, 9 am Scheduled Workshops BANJO: Aaron Youngberg purchased a banjo when he was 18 and started learning to play on his own, until he discovered he was wearing his picks backwards. He then started taking lessons. In the summer of 1998 he moved to Ft. Collins and became involved in the local bluegrass scene, playing in various bands until hosting the first Hit & Run rehearsal in the fall of 2001. He currently teaches banjo lessons in the Ft. Collins area. BASS: Paul Waitinas switched to the upright bass a mere 5 years ago. He has been influenced by the old-time music of the Freight Hoppers and is considered to be one of the premier bassists in Colorado. He holds down the low end for the band Slipstream. GUITAR: Harvey Reid is well known not only to the festival but throughout the country. He is a master of both flatpick and fingerstyle guitar as well as many other guitar styles and instruments. Someone who can truly be called a virtuoso, he will share his innovative style and answer your questions about technique and performance. FIDDLE: Joyce Andersen is a sought-after fiddler and session player in the Northeast who has played in bluegrass, country, rock, jazz and Celtic groups. Her fiery fiddling has taken her from the Conan O'Brien show to Carnegie Hall, from coffeehouses and local pubs to nationally known festivals. DOBRO: Todd Livingston is a student of the dobro styles of Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes, Sally Van Meter and other dobro greats. "Of the hundreds I have taught, Todd has been my finest student," said Sally Van Meter, his friend and mentor in Boulder. He went on to win the 2001 Rockygrass Dobro Championship and became an instructor at the 2002 and 2003 Rockygrass Academies. You will enjoy his performances on stage with Hit and Run. MANDOLIN: Colorado native Rich Zimmerman, playing his Nugget #239, is becoming known as one of the most toneful mandoline players on the scene. He has a very smooth and easy style of playing and accompanying vocals. He is also the vocalist for Slipstream. |
