2011 FiddleStar Adult Camp Thursday - Sunday, May 26-29, 2011
Register Now!
2011 Adult Fiddle Camp
Come join us in beautiful Ridgetop, TN for a long weekend retreat of great fiddling and lots of fun. Every day we will work on fiddle tunes, take jam classes, go to downtown Nashville to hear incredible music, learn to dance to fiddle music, and lots more. Incredible instructors will help you improve your technique, your improvisational skills, and anything you can think of to become a better fiddler.
This intimate camp just north of Nashville is perfect for you. Enjoy small classes and very individualized instruction, no matter what your level. Not only are our instructors world-class musicians, but more importantly, they are kind, patient,and focused teachers. Some camps are nothing but expensive concerts - teachers doing most of the playing and too much talking. Not FiddleStar Camp! You will be hands-on, working on improving your own skills. Plus, it's a blast, and in a beautiful location with good, home-cooked food.
Instructors include... April Verch
Buddy Spicher
Megan B. Lynch
Eamon McLoughlin
Stephen Mougin
David Thomas
and more to be announced soon!
April Verch
The photos on April Verch's seventh album are a bit deceiving. The freshly scrubbed beauty could be mistaken for a young television star versus an accomplished player and composer, who started stepdancing at age three and playing the fiddle at age six. Who, by the age of ten, was winning fiddle contests and touring Canada - releasing two solo albums before graduating from high school. Now, Verch, who leads her band with her own simultaneous fiddling and dancing (selling out prestigious venues and festivals for years), is giving notice that she is emerging to take the role of one of the top women in the roots genre with her recent release, Steal The Blue. April's kind and enthusiastic teaching style, as well as her mastery of many traditional fiddle styles have made her a favorite at fiddle camps around the world. FiddleStar is ecstatic to have her as a core instructor in 2011!
Here's an example of April's great playing and captivating teaching style...
Buddy Spicher
FiddleStar Camp could not be more excited to present fiddle legend and master teacher Buddy Spicher! One of Nashville's most in-demand studio musicians for three decades, Buddy's versatile precision fiddle style has made enormous contributions to the commercial success of classic earlier recordings by Webb Pierce, Ray Price, Bill Monroe, Kitty Wells, Jimmy Martin, Hank Snow, Bob Wills, The Lewis Family, George Strait, Linda Ronstadt, Hank Thompson, Henry Mancini, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Dan Fogelberg, Crystal Gayle, The Osborne Brothers, Steve Miller Band, The Gatlin Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Happy Goodman Family, The Florida Boys, Jessi Colter, Marty Robbins, Melba Montgomery, Tex Williams, Billy Crash Craddock, The Four Guys, Rosemary Clooney, Eddy Rabbit, Jerry Reid, Johnny Bush, Darrell McCall, Marie Osmond, Ronnie Reno, Earl Scruggs, Gene Watson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Young, Dan Seals, Buffy St.-Marie, Grandpa Jones, Lynn Anderson, Loretta Lynn, Earl Scruggs, Roy Rogers, Asleep at the Wheel, Gail Davies, Osborne Brothers, Johnny Paycheck, Eddy Arnold, Ann Margret, Webb Pierce, Charlie Pride, Joan Baez, Tanya Tucker, Pam Tillis, Dolly Parton, Connie Smith, The Monkeys, Dean Martin, Gary Burton, Mel McDaniel, Don Reno, Mark O'Connor, Charlie Daniels, Mel Tillis, Teresa Brewer, Reba McIntire, Dottie West, Jimmy Martin, Jim and Jesse, Ace Cannon, Area Code 615, and Garth Brooks. When you hear that familiar velvet smooth fiddle in George Strait's, "Amarillo by Morning", you experience the lonesome emotion of the song as Buddy's heartfelt solo expresses it. Buddy appeared with Mark O'Connor on his "Heroes" album, a collection of performances by Mark and his favorite fiddle players. Buddy has his own personal record label Spicher Family Records and recording studio called "THE FIDDLE HOUSE". Along with his imaginative arrangements, Buddy is well known as being a master of "double stops", i.e. playing two notes at the same time and literally harmonizing with himself. In his performances he plays harmonized lines and solos that most people couldn't imagine playing with two fiddlers, yet he seems to do it effortlessly. When you watch and hear Buddy play with The Nashville Swing Band, its hard to imagine how that much beautiful sound comes from a single fiddle. In recent years, Buddy has become a favorite at Montana Fiddle Camp, Augusta Heritage Bluegrass Week, and Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Camp.
Here's Buddy doing what he does best...
Megan B. Lynch
Camp Director, fiddle and dance teacher, National Champion, empress, and answerer of questions...
Here's Megan and a rippin' Sally Goodin'
Eamon McLoughlin
Eamon McLoughlin is an English musician, and a founding member of the American bluegrass band The Greencards. Raised in South London, McLoughlin began to perform country music shows with his family on weekends, influenced by George Jones, George Strait and Ricky Skaggs. Born to Irish parents, McLoughlin's father was head of a London-based country band. At age nine, McLoughlin moved away from piano lessons to play fiddle, and performed with his father's band. McLoughlin had earlier relocated from London to Austin in 1997, after leaving college with a degree in politics. McLoughlin also toured with the Asylum St. Spankers, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bruce Robison, Kelly Willis and the Austin Lounge Lizards after arriving in the United States. Now a resident of Nashville, TN, Eamon is becoming quickly regarded as a session musician and teacher, versatile and inspired!
Stephen Mougin
Stephen has been playing music since the age of 6 when his father showed him three chords on an old Madera guitar. He moved on to Mandolin two years later and began his long voyage to Nashville. After earning his bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Stephen became the Choral Director at the Mahar Regional School in nearby Orange. Teaching Chorus, Theory, General Music, and Producing/Directing the Musicals, Stephen learned the value of being a well rounded musician. In June of 2002, he moved to music city to join the Valerie Smith band and has since played with Jim Lauderdale, Melonie Cannon, Randy Kohrs, and Audie Blaylock to name a few, and has played stages around the world including the Grand Old Opry. Stephen is currently guitarist/vocalist in the Sam Bush Band.
Here's an example of Stephen's singing and teaching style!
David Thomas
David was born and raised in Limestone County, AL but now makes his home in beautiful Ridgetop, TN. His interest in music was sparked by listening to the country band of his uncle and great uncles in the 1980s. David began playing the guitar at the age of twelve and his grandfather, an avid fan of bluegrass music, began taking him to bluegrass music concerts when he was in his early teens. He began playing the mandolin at the age of seventeen and bass at nineteen. David played guitar, mandolin and bass in regional Alabama-based bands throughout his teenage years and he co-founded a bluegrass band (playing mandolin) called Roanoke in 2003. Roanoke competed in bluegrass band contests throughout the southern states, winning several in Alabama and Tennessee, until David joined The Special Consensus in 2006. He appeared on the 2007 band recording Trail of Aching Hearts and the 2009 release Signs. He sings lead and high harmony and plays bass and tours full time with the band. When not on the road, David teaches guitar, mandolin, bass, and vocals and is the all-around "go to guy" at FiddleStar Camps. If it needs playing or fixing, David's your man.
Here's David singing harmony and playing bass with Special Consensus...
Camp Tuition - $450 includes on-site lodging and meals. $350 includes lunch and snack and no on-site lodging. (after May 15 add $25 to each fee) All travel expenses are the responsibility of the student (except transportation to and from the airport – we'll come get you!) but FiddleStar can help you find the best travel deals – just let us know if you need help.
For more information or to register by phone, email FiddleStar Camp at megan@fiddlestar.com or call 615.636.9925.
FAQ's What is the lodging like?
On-site lodging is dorm style (some bunks, some beds, all comfy) with shared rooms. Bedding is provided. Bathrooms are shared, full, house style bathrooms. Towels are provided. We are in the process of adding additional cabins to the camp in order to accommodate more campers on-site.
Are There Rooms Available for Couples?
Currently, we do not have rooms available for couples, or single, unshared rooms. However, we are able to put up nice tents (it's flat and shady!) for couples who would like to stay on-site instead of getting a hotel in town. You would pay the full lodging price and have access to all the showers and the full three meals a day, etc.
If I Don't Get in to the On-site Lodging Where Should I Stay?
The closest hotel is the Deerfield Inn in Greenbrier, TN. It is nothing fancy but it's close (5 minute drive), clean, and comfortable. Tell them FiddleStar Camps sent you. Prices are very reasonable. Also, any hotel in Goodlettsville, TN (which is a little closer to civilization) is about a 12 minute drive and there are several familiar chain hotels available.
What If I Have Food Allergies or Dietary Restrictions?
No problem. Just let us know. We'll work with you.
When Should I Arrive?
Try to plan your arrival for the evening before the start of camp. As an example, if the camp starts Thursday morning, you should fly or drive in on Wednesday evening. If your plans (or the airlines) do not work out exactly right, that's OK. Just let us know and we'll work it out.
When Should I Plan my Escape?
Plan to leave the last evening of camp or the following morning. Sometimes the party on the last night goes late and we have a good time jamming so you might want to stay until the next morning. But then again, you might have to get back to the real world (ugh!) and it's OK to leave that evening. There is no extra charge for staying the final night.
Do I Need to Be Able to Read Music?
No. Most camp classes are "call and response" style so the most important thing you need is a desire to learn and the patience to know that sometimes you might not process every piece of information the week of camp. That's OK, just bring a recording device and you can enjoy learning and revisiting the information all through the year after camp!
What Level Player Should I Be Before I Can Attend?
Can you hold your instrument? Can you pick out a tune or two, or make some basic chords? You're gonna be just fine. We want everyone to get something out of camp so we try to tailor classes to your ability. If you are feeling overwhelmed during camp, or maybe like things are going too slow (either way!), let us know and we will work to fit you into a more appropriate class.
