2024 Workshops
930’s Banjo with Jerron Paxton, Friday 6pm
Often known as a minstrel banjo, Paxton’s Stichter model banjo was developed in 1848, two decades after the banjo became popular in non-African hands. Born in the Watts district of Los Angeles, Jerron Paxton grew up surrounded by family who brought their music and sensibilities from the plantation country of Louisiana. From this, he developed an uncanny ability to bring early 20th-century American blues into his love of storytelling and good humor. Paxton began playing the fiddle at age 12, and the banjo at 14. He is deeply aware of his audience, and believes he should “be of service to the music.” Stop by this workshop before Friday night’s concert to explore early 20th century banjo with this musical virtuoso. Everyone is welcome to sit in — no instrument needed. *Special thanks to Chatham Arts Council for sponsoring this workshop! Located in the Dance Tent.
Exploring Emmett Lundy’s Fiddling with Molly Stouten, Friday 4:45pm
Before Molly ever picked up a fiddle she fell hard for the fiddling of Emmett Lundy! The field recordings made in 1941 and released in 1977 as “Fiddle Tunes from Grayson County VA” grabbed her ear – there was just something about the tone, the power of the sound and the timing! It was therefore natural for Molly to try to figure out how to make that sound when she got her first fiddle at the ripe old age of 37 during an icy winter in Vermont. This workshop will focus on the question, “what makes Emmett Lundy’s fiddling so distinctive?” Molly will play a selection of his tunes that includes some of the stranger ones. Then our group can choose which one we want to focus on learning. So, bring your fiddle and be ready to experiment!
Over 50 + years, Molly Stouten has tromped around the country singing and playing and learning while teaching and producing visual art. She has visited and learned from older musicians in the Cumberland Plateau, Virginia and North Carolina and has deeply studied field recordings and 78s. She recorded with Skip Gorman in New Hampshire and the Hushpuppies in North Carolina. Currently she plays fiddle and sings with the Glenwood Choppers along with Alan Teichman and Randy Johnson. Located in the New Barn.
Old-Time Harmonica with Cary Moskovitz, Friday 5:30pm
Harmonicas are amazing instruments. They are expressive, inexpensive and easy to carry—so you can always have one with you. In this workshop, Cary will teach participants how to play a couple of simple old-time tunes and how to play simple accompaniment—using harmonicas in “paddy richter, key of A” tuning. Harmonicas in this tuning will be available to borrow or purchase at the workshop. No prior experience required. Cary’s instructional book, Old-Time Fiddle Tunes on Harmonica and paddy richter harmonicas in other keys will be on sale at the Merch Tent. Located in the Workshop Tent.
Gospel Singing with Alice Vines and Anthony Daniels, Saturday 5:30pm
Alice Vines is a pastor and singer from the eastern NC town of Farmville. She is part of the sibling group of musical matriarchs, the Glorifying Vines Sisters. “The way we started singing gospel music was through my dad. My dad was a singer and he taught all of his six girls how to sing,” said Alice Vines told PineCone in 2022 interview. “My mama she sang a little soprano, but it was my daddy really was the one in the family that taught us. I just love what I do and my sisters love what we do together.” We are proud to host Alice and her nephew Anthony in this intimate workshop. They sing some songs, do a little Q&A with the audience and they might even teach a song if folks are interested. Located in the Tent Beside the New Barn.
Fiddle with Sonya Badigian, Saturday 1:30pm
Sonya Badigian grew up in New England and learned fiddle amidst a small but fierce old time scene centered around deep, thoughtful listening to 78-era recordings and sources from Kentucky and Missouri. In her early twenties Sonya moved to North Carolina, where she currently resides.
Sonya can be found playing guitar and singing with Hard Drive (Tatiana Hargreaves, Aaron Tacke, Nokosee Fields), a NC-based band that presents a “high-octane bluegrass-old-time style delivered with deep intuitive insight, manic exploratory zeal and seriously powerhouse instrumental (and vocal) chops” (Folk Radio UK). She has played fiddle and guitar for workshops, concerts, and square dances across the country. In her spare time she helps run Slippery Hill and serves on the board of the Field Recorders’ Collective. In this workshop, you’ll listen to an old recording, and chat about what you hear. Then Sonya will help you learn the tune together. Located in the Tent Near the New Barn.
Flatpicking with Alan Barnosky, Saturday 11am
Photo by Kendall Baily
Alan Barnosky is a flatpicking guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. He writes for Acoustic Guitar magazine, regularly performs guitar demo videos for Lowe Vintage Instruments, and offers private instruction. His teaching focuses on the fundamentals of technique, theory, and musicianship. In this workshop he will offer concepts and exercises to help players of all levels to achieve better tone, precision, and volume from their picking. Q&A for anything flatpicking-related is highly encouraged! Located in the Tent Near the New Barn.
Twanging & Plucking: Clawhammer Banjo with Jake Owen, Saturday 4:30pm
Jake is a banjo player from Madison County, NC, descended from generations of old-time musicians. He has won awards at Clifftop and Flag Pond, and has been playing banjo for most of his life. Jake’s workshop will focus on old time clawhammer banjo traditions. He will bring his gourd banjo and some others he has made and talk about banjo-making. He will also discuss some traditional banjo styles of Madison County players, as well as his strong Round Peak influence. Located in the Tent Near the New Barn.
Introduction to Brazilian Choro Music with Julia Illana & Israel Dias, Saturday 12pm
In this workshop, Noites Carolinas musicians Julia Illana (10-string bandolim) and Israel Dias (pandeiro) will provide a primer on Brazilian choro music. Workshop attendees will learn about how choro pieces are structured, learn rhythm patterns for strings and percussion, and play a choro piece together! All instruments welcome. Located in the Tent near the New Barn.
Kids Harmonica with Cary Moskovitz, Saturday 2:30pm
This kid-friendly workshop will teach participants how to work the harmonica and play a simple old-time tune or two. Harmonicas will be provided for first 15 participants. Donations to cover the cost of harmonicas will be accepted but not required. Ages 7-12 only please! Parents are welcome to participate too! Located in the Kids Tent.
Flatfooting Dance Workshop with Rodney Sutton, Friday 4:30pm
Recipient of SouthArts/NC Arts Council’s Folk & Traditional Master Artist Fellowship Award, Rodney Clay Sutton teaches traditional flatfoot dancing in this relaxed-atmosphere workshop. Having learned Appalachian flatfoot dance from mentor Willard Watson over fifty years ago, Rodney brings this wealth of experience, plus his continued education afforded to him by the fellowship in Sean Nos` dance – the Irish step-dance equivalent to flat-footing. Though you can wear any kind of footwear for this intro class, smooth soled shoes with a low heel are the best shoes for this workshop. Located in the Dance Tent.
Kids Clogging with Tampa Enoch-Reese, Saturday 10:30am
Suggested for ages 5 and up, this workshop provides a basic introduction to clogging, just for kids! Participants will learn fundamental clogging steps through fun, confidence-building exercises. They’ll also have opportunities to express themselves creatively with this energetic dance tradition. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are recommended. Tampa Enoch is an educator, dancer and musician from Mebane, North Carolina. At an early age, she learned to flatfoot and buck dance from her grandmother, and she carries the tradition forward by teaching percussive dance to children both in her family and in the wider community. Tampa has been a member of Chapel Hill’s Cane Creek Cloggers since 2014 and has worked in public libraries as a youth services librarian for 19 years. In her free time she enjoys playing banjo and sharing about the rich and complex history of the instrument. Located in the Dance Tent.
Clogging with The Green Grass Cloggers, Saturday 11:30am
Inspired by traditional mountain-style clogging teams, but more influenced by older flatfoot and buck dancers, North Carolina’s premier clogging group, The Green Grass Cloggers, has been kicking up their collective heels for OVER fifty years now! Together they have developed an original, eclectic style. Unlike the traditional “big-set” mountain square dance figures, they use choreography based on four-couple western square dance figures in short energetic routines. Stop by and learn some basic clogging steps, as well as more advanced moves from these intergenerational dance pioneers. Located in the Dance Tent.