Make Music   

Award-winning Irish musician Paul Brock will be in Tennessee this Halloween and leading a lively, immersive workshop on Irish song and dance! The morning will kick off with a warm introduction to Irish music appreciation, followed by a look into Ireland’s rich traditional repertoire of songs and tunes. Then, it's time to get moving with a fun and beginner-friendly introduction to Irish step dancing! This joyful expression of footwork and rhythm has become popular around the world, and we hold a special appreciation for it here in Appalachia. Full of rhythm, story, and Halloween craic, this engaging session offers a true taste of Ireland—right here in East Tennessee.

Do you love the sound of a banjo? In this six-week program you will learn two styles of banjo playing. And then you will learn an old style playing called up-picking. We will familiarize ourselves with chords, reading tablature and rhythm. Because this is an easy style of playing, it is a great lead-in to the bluegrass/three-finger/Earl Scruggs style, which we will work on the last three weeks of class. We will learn basic roll patterns and some familiar, popular tunes in both styles! You will need to provide your own banjo. No prior musical experience is required.

There is a $10 materials cash fee payable to the instructor at the start of the class.

You will learn about your mandolin, chord charts and easy, basic chords. With some theory under your belt, you will learn how to easily play in different keys. By the end of the class, you will be playing many traditional favorites like “Wildwood Flower,” “Old Joe Clark,” “Angeline the Baker” and others. No musical experience is necessary - just a willingness to have a great time! Mandolin required.

Required book available from instructor the first night of class at an additional cost of $10.