RockyGrass Bluegrass Camp For Kids
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| Final performance in the Wildflower Pavilion |
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The Bluegrass Academy experience isn't just for parents. Children of registered Academy students can also join in the fun with a special program for kids ages 7-14 who are either new to bluegrass or at a novice or intermediate level. Join members of the award-winning Bearfoot, now in their seventh year of teaching, for four full days of instrument, vocal and band instruction that includes a final performance on Thursday afternoon. This is the perfect opportunity to bring the whole family to the Academy.
Registration
Students are encouraged to try different instruments and to learn to perform bluegrass music together. Your children can choose from one or more of the following instrument classes: guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and bass. Vocal and band classes are also offered.
The total cost of the Kids Camp is $275. A non-refundable $100 deposit will hold your place. Registration for the Kids Camp was handled using the online Academy lottery - from November 10-18. Kids camp students must be accompanied by an adult who is registered for a class in the RockyGrass Academy.
Daily Schedule
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| 2007 Kids Camp |
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To give you an idea of how the days are structured, here is a typical day from last year's Kids Camp:
- 9:00 a.m. Monday - Registration
- 9:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (join RG Academy)
- 10:15 a.m. Block 1
- 11:15 a.m. Snack time
- 11:30 a.m. Block 2
- 12:30 p.m. Lunch (unsupervised)
- 2:00 p.m. Block 3
- 3:00 p.m. Band practice
- 4:00 p.m. Snack time
- 4:15 p.m. Activities
- 4:15-4:45 p.m. Thursday - Kid’s performance in the Wildflower Tent
- 5:00 p.m. Done for the day
Lunch Break
Students need to bring their own lunch. Food and childcare from 12:30 - 2:00 will not be provided. For those parents of local children not enrolled in the RockyGrass Academy, please meet your child at 12:30 for lunch. Water bottles and recording devices are recommended. Snacks will be provided by Planet Bluegrass.
Faculty
Kate Hamre - Acoustic Bass & Guitar
Mike Mickelson - Guitar & Banjo
Jason Norris - Mandolin & Fiddle
Angela Oudean - Fiddle & Vocals
Odessa Jorgensen - Fiddle & Vocals
(Read full bios on the RockGrass Academy instructors page)
Class Descriptions
Students will take an elective class during each block time period, in addition to participating in a band. Students will select their top two choices on the online registration form which will be available after the lottery has closed.
Beginning Banjo
No prerequisite. Students must be ten or older. This class is an introduction on how to play bluegrass banjo, three-finger style. Students will learn basic banjo rolls, a few basic chords, and an easy banjo tune.
Beginning Bass
No prerequisite. Students will learn where the bass fits into a jam and how to play it correctly. They will learn 4-5 chords and how to back up a guitar player on some simple singing songs.
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| 2008 Kids Camp final performance |
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Intermediate Bass
Students should be able to back up a guitar in at least 4-5 different chords. Students will learn scales to accompany different keys, patterns for following new chords, a few songs and how to “walk”. They will also learn a bass solo and how to “slap.”
Beginning Fiddle
No Prerequisite. This class is geared towards students that have no or very little background in playing the fiddle. Students will learn how to correctly hold and bow the instrument, and how to play a few basic fiddle tunes.
Novice Fiddle
Students should have been taking fiddle for about 1 year or be in Suzuki Book 1 prior to taking this class. They should be fairly comfortable with holding and playing one or two songs. In this class, students will work on becoming stronger players and learn a few basic fiddle tunes in first position.
Intermediate Fiddle
Students should have been taking fiddle lessons for at least two years or be in Suzuki Book 3. Students will learn 3-4 bluegrass fiddle tunes, how to improvise, different bowings for bluegrass, and other basic techniques to bluegrass fiddling.
Twin Fiddle
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| 2007 Kids Camp |
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Students must have been taking violin/fiddle lessons for at least 1 year. This class will teach students how to find the harmony parts and play them on the fiddle. They will learn the lead and harmony to a few different fiddle tunes.
Vocals
No prerequisite. Students will learn fun singing songs to sing with a group, a guitar, or by themselves. They will also learn how to harmonize and take solos.
Beginning Guitar
No prerequisite. Students will learn 4-5 basic guitar chords, how to strum with a pick and a few basic bluegrass songs.
Intermediate Guitar
This class is geared towards students that know how to play several chords comfortably and can play the boom-chuck rhythm. The students will learn how to flatpick a song, along with the chords and different variations of licks to put in the song.
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| Banjo class at the Kids Camp |
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Beginning Mandolin
No prerequisite. This class will teach students how to hold and play the mandolin, along with 3-4 different chords, a song or two, and how to back those songs up. They will also learn the "stomp-clap" rhythm.
Intermediate Mandolin
Students should be quite comfortable playing four or five 2-finger chords. They should also be able to play a few basic tunes on the mandolin. Students will learn how to play closed chords (if they do not already know how) and lead on 1-2 new instrumentals.
Choosing Your Classes
Students will take an elective class during each block time period in addition to participating in a band.
Block 1 (10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.)
- Beginning Fiddle
- Intermediate Fiddle
- Beginning Guitar
- Beginning Mandolin
- Intermediate & Advanced Fiddle
- Intermediate & Advanced Guitar
Block 2 (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
- Beginning Bass
- Beginning Guitar
- Beginning Fiddle
- Beginning Mandolin
- Intermediate and Advanced Mandolin
- Vocals
Block 3 (2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
- Beginning Banjo
- Beginning Guitar
- Beginning Mandolin
- Intermediate and Advanced Bass
- Twin Fiddle
If you have any specific questions regarding classes, please contact Kate Hamre at kate_hamre@yahoo.com