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 9th 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 Fall 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.

PacJAM Fall Semester 2021

September 14 - November 17

All the classes will be held outside. In case of inclement weather, they will be moved inside.

YOUTH CLASSES

Beginner Youth Classes

Tuesdays

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

All beginning students receive 45 minutes of group instruction and 45 minutes of singing/storytelling.

Group song & story: Gaye Johnson (known for having the sweetest voice in the region) gives students the strong foundation they need for learning an instrument. To learn music most effectively, students must know the songs before they play them on an instrument – then the learning becomes intuitive. This fun class equips students with the classic songs and stories of the region and helps launch their musical abilities.

Instrument options:

Option 1: 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 2: *NEW!* Instrument Survey, ages 8-14

Want to play an instrument but unsure of which one is calling your name? Veteran PacJAM teacher Amy Buckingham is excited to get your student moving on these traditional Appalachian instruments. This two-semester class gives students 4 weeks each on mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and guitar. Students will gain a love of music and a basic understanding of “the big 4” folk instruments.

Option 3: Beginning guitar, ages 8-14

Woody Cowan will be loved by 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 4: Beginner mandolin/fiddle ages 8-14

Amy Buckingham is excited to get your student moving on these traditional Appalachian instruments. Strung the same way (G-D-A-E), beginning mandolin and fiddle students learn side-by-side in this class. Please be sure to mark your FIRST AND SECOND instrument choice, as the class will be structured to accommodate those who register.

**Clover Picker Youth are invited to co-teach any of these classes, including singing. Contact Ms. Julie if you are interested.

Beginner Classes Register Here

TFAC Music Classes by Catherine Turner-15

TFAC Music Classes by Catherine Turner-17

TFAC Music Classes by Catherine Turner-24

TFAC Music Classes by Catherine Turner-35

Intermediate-Advanced Youth Classes

Wednesdays

4:30 pm-5:15 pm

All students with some experience under their belt will take an intermediate or advanced group instrument class, and a band class.

Option 1: Intermediate Guitar

Phil Jenkins 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 2: Intermediate Fiddle

Bob Buckingham brings great stories and music to all students he 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 3: Intermediate Mandolin

In this class, Carson Moore passes on the knowledge he’s gained from the best bluegrass and jazz players in the region, helping intermediate pickers strengthen their knowledge of chord shapes, picking techniques, and melodies.

Band 1: Advanced students get to strengthen their band skills in this class led by Amy Buckingham.

Clover Pickers: PacJAM's house band gets rigorous coaching this semester from a wide variety of guest artists. Marshall Goers, Jamie Laval, and Emily Shaad all take turns sharing their wisdom on solos and song arrangements, with Brittany Tokar Hampton helping to build the group's singing skills. Clover Pickers band is by invitation and the commitment requires extra rehearsals as determined by the group.

5:15pm - 6:00 pm

Option 4: Advanced Guitar & Upright Bass

Amy Buckingham leads this robust class of pickers.

Option 5: Advanced fiddle & banjo

Supervised by Bob Buckingham, these students are driven this semester to be their strongest. Guest artists Jamie Laval and Emily Schaad join the group for two weeks each, to provide an extra level of challenge to the group.

Option 6: Advanced Mandolin

These pickers will work on chord structures and improvisation for half the semester with Carson Moore, with Marshall Goers bringing his beautiful melodies to the group for the other half.

Intermediate Band: Phil Jenkins helps intermediate students find their voice in a band environment.

Intermediate-Advanced Classes Register Here

ADULTS CLASSES

Beginner Adults Classes

Tuesdays

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 friendly class is full 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 raising your comfort level to play 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.

Beginner Classes Register Here

Intermediate-Advanced Adults Class

Wednesdays

3:00 pm - 4:15pm

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. **If enrollment is high enough, this class will have some fantastic guest artists join the jam throughout the semester.**

Intermediate-Advanced Class Register Here