PacJAM – Tryon Fine Arts Center

PACOLET JUNIOR APPALACHIAN MUSICIANS

PacJAM provides an opportunity for area youth to experience community through the joy of participating in traditional music.

Local students and their teachers are taking their part in a multi-state regional effort to preserve the music of the Appalachian cultural heritage, filling the air with guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and ukulele music each week. In addition to instrument instruction, students learn local music history and theory, ear training, dance, folklore, and rhythm development.

Now in its 8th year, PacJAM offers sessions each fall and winter/spring semester, as well as an intensive day camp one week each summer. Students of all skill levels ages 6-late teens, as well as adults, are invited to join us for instruction in traditional music.

Instructors in Spring 2021 include Gaye Johnson, Amy & Bob Buckingham & Woody Cowan.

For questions or additional assistance, please email Julie Moore, Program Director or call 828-859-8322.

Spring Semester

2021

March 30 - June 2

The 2021 Spring semester of PacJAM classes includes 10 consecutive weeks of group lessons for children ages 6 and up in traditional music on the instrument of their choice, plus folk singing, dance, and storytelling. Ages 8 and up receive instruction in either guitar, banjo, mandolin, or fiddle, while ages 6 & 7 study ukulele.

Tuition is only $150 per semester, with rental instruments available for an additional $50 per semester.

note - ukulele rental is just $25

For information on scholarship availability, please contact Julie Moore, Program Director

Due to safety concerns for our students and community regarding Covid-19, we have re-designed the program to accommodate NC Mandates and CDC safety protocol for the Spring Semester.

All classes are planned for outside. In the event of inclement weather, classes will move indoors.

CLASSES OFFERED

Youth Classes: Click to find out more

TUESDAYS: BEGINNING YOUTH

Teachers: Woody Cowan, Gaye Johnson, Amy Buckingham & Emmalynn Rathbone.

4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

Option one: Beginning ukulele, ages 6-8: Students adore Woody Cowan, and it is easy to see why once you’ve watched him teach. This class is a wonderful introduction to music for our youngest students. Participants learn basic chord structures and rhythm patterns to songs they know, and giggle the whole time!

Option two: Beginning guitar, ages 8-14: Gaye Johnson (known for having the sweetest voice in the region) gives a wonderful foundation to students seeking to dive into the world of guitar. Whether the student is a complete beginner or has just recently gotten the hang of a couple of chords, this class will motivate your student to learn more and practice hard.

Option three: Beginner mandolin/fiddle/clawhammer, ages 8-14: Veteran PacJAM teacher Amy Buckingham is excited to get your student moving on these traditional Appalachian instruments. Students will gain a love of music and a love for their instruments. Please be sure to mark your FIRST AND SECOND instrument choice, as the class will be structured to accommodate those who register.

Option four: Beginner ukulele, ages 9-14: Emmalynn Rathbone has spent years as a PacJAM student, and we are thrilled that she is now sharing her knowledge with others. A ukulele rocker at heart, this class is a fantastic start for other youth who have a desire to play.

Youth 5:15-6

Jam in Amphitheater (all teachers/students) This portion of PacJAM is fantastic for our beginning students. In this setting, students gain more familiarity playing in a group, while training their ears by hearing our veteran teachers perform and even engage in Appalachian lore. Soaking up Woody, Gaye, and Amy’s decades of knowledge and love of music is a guaranteed way to inspire all students with a curiosity about music.

WEDNESDAYS: INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED YOUTH

Teachers: Bob & Amy Buckingham, Phil Jenkins & Carson Moore.

4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

Option One: Intermediate/Advanced Guitar & Upright Bass: Bob Buckingham does a fantastic job guiding guitar students in expanding their skillset and repertoire. Students are actively engaged and enjoy the challenge to be their best.

Option Two: Intermediate/Advanced Fiddle: Amy Buckingham brings joy to all students she teaches. This class is wonderful for fiddle students looking to strengthen their technique and performance abilities while learning songs from the Old Time repertoire.

Option Three: Intermediate/Advanced Mandolin: We have been really impressed with the skills of our PacJAM mandolin players, and in this class, we challenge them to stretch their limits. They know the chords and the tunes, but are they free? In this class, Carson Moore passes on the knowledge he’s gained from the best bluegrass and jazz players in the region, with a focus on learning how to improvise while following a set chord progression.

Option Four: Intermediate/Advanced 3-finger Banjo: Phil Jenkins continues to pass on his family’s gift for banjo in this well-loved class. More banjo!!

Youth - 5:15-6

Students are divided into two bands, and jam with their instructors. These bands are given performance opportunities in the community throughout the year.

Kids' Beginner Classes: Tuesdays

Kids' Intermediate & Advanced Classes: Wednesdays

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TFAC Music Classes by Catherine Turner-6

Adult Classes: Click to find out more

TUESDAYS: BEGINNING

Teachers: Woody Cowan, Phil & Gaye Johnson & Amy Buckingham.

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm

Option 1: Classic Rock for acoustic guitar: Join beloved Polk County musician Woody Cowan and learn YOUR favorite tunes. In this setting, the students pick the songs, and Woody leads the teaching. This was a very friendly class last semester, with lots of peer-to-peer encouragement and collaboration. Artists covered included Janis Joplin, Neil Young, Old Crow Medicine Show, & Grateful Dead. Whether you know a lot of chords or just a couple, this class will move you forward musically while taking you back through the best era of radio-played folk music.

Option 2: Beginner/Intermediate Folk Jam: World-class musicians Phil and Gaye Johnson lead this class, gently guiding you musically to raise your comfort level in playing freely in a group setting. Rooted in traditional folk music, aspiring mandolin, and guitar students will join together to gain more comfort and self-assurance in a group setting, while also diving into rhythm techniques and ornamentations.

Option 3: Intermediate ukulele: Amy Buckingham leads this class. For ukulele players who love jamming with one another to have fun and strengthen their musicality. Amy is sure to take you “to the next level” and you will definitely enjoy yourself playing in a relaxed group setting.

WEDNESDAYS: INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED

Teachers: Bob & Amy Buckingham

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm

Intermediate/ advanced band: Bob and Amy Buckingham guide adults on all instruments (guitar, clawhammer banjo, fiddle, mandolin, ukulele, & bass). Several songs are picked by the group at the start of the semester, and over the 10 week semester, the musicality and “setlist” grow exponentially. Adults love this format for guided jamming.

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All-ages Washboard JAM: Click to find out more

WEDNESDAYS 6:15 -7:15 pm

Two Four-week sessions: April 14 -May 5, and May 12-June 2

Teachers: Phillip Jenkins & Carson Moore

We are so excited to offer this new class, led by Phillip Jenkins and supported by Carson Moore. We’ve told you over and over about Phil’s great-uncle Snuffy who originated the 3-finger banjo style, but did you know he also pioneered a unique washboard style?

https://www.knowitall.org/video/beaumont-rag-digital-traditions

(https://youtu.be/bv5NAb6JuKo)

This class is limited to 7 students, and friends/ family members are encouraged to join in pairs. Students will spend the first-class building their washboard set-up (supplies provided) and learning washboard lore. In the next classes, students can then:

a) learn how to play the washboard.

b) Learn how to play on your mandolin/guitar/banjo in a jam situation with the washboard.

This will be an incredibly fun class, and will add a new dimension to your musicality!