Pac JAM

Building Community One Tune at a Time

Pacolet Junior Appalachian Musicians (PacJAM) provides an opportunity for area youth and adults to experience community through the joy of participating in traditional music.

PacJAM offers sessions each fall and winter/spring semester, as well as an intensive day camp one week each summer for youth. Students of all skill levels ages 6-late teens and adults are invited to join us for instruction in traditional music. 

This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Adults

Participating adults learn how to build their skills on a specific instrument, take part in traditional music jams and learn improvisation. Scroll down to learn more about upcoming adult opportunities. 

 

Youth 

PacJAM teaches the importance of music and community through weekly group instrument instruction, coached multi-instrument JAMs, singing, and weekly insights into the people, places, and events that contribute to Appalachian music and culture. Youth ages 8-high school may choose instruction for beginner, intermediate, or advanced guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass, & banjo, & new this semester, dulcimer. Students aged 6-8 get their start on ukulele.
There are no upcoming events at this time.

2023 PacJAM August Open House & Band Auditions

PacJAM Ramblers and Muddy Boots, our two house bands, get an early start to the season with rehearsals 4:30-6 August 16, 23, & 30.

Returning students may join our coached open-jam sessions for 1, 2, or all 3 of our August dates to play just for fun or to let us know you are interested in joining a band. Registration & space permitting, we hope to add a 3rd PacJAM band to the program this fall. Individual students may join these fall sessions for $15/session or $20/family, cash or check only.

Prospective Families and students may drop by on August 16 & 23 to get a taste of fall PacJAM, observe rehearsals, and meet some of the staff.

New Family Orientation will be in the TFAC auditorium from 4:30-6 on August 30th.

2023 PacJAM Fall Semester

Our 2023 Fall Semester meets every Wednesday from 4-6 for all students, immersing youth in learning music by ear through Appalachian music and culture.  PacJAM activities include group lessons, jams, music theory, traditional art, songs, stories, and dancing, with an impressive lineup of regular and guest artists. Scholarships are available on a first come, first serve basis – just contact Julie to register instead of registering online.

  • Students 8-high school may select beginning, intermediate, or advanced fiddle, banjo (clawhammer & 3-finger), mandolin, guitar, bass or dulcimer.
  • Youth age 6 & 7 may register for ukulele.
  • Intermediate and advanced students participate in weekly jams & group instrument classes.  

Youth summer session is $150 per child, with a multi-child discount. 

Rentals for fiddle, mandolin, banjo & guitar are $50/semester; ukulele rental is $25/ semester.  Limited need-based scholarships are available.

Click here for 2023 PacJAM Fall Semester Sign Up