Old-Time Workshops and Dances
Free old-time and bluegrass workshops and dances will take place on Thursday, June 5 and Friday, June 6 at Veterans Memorial Park. They bring master musicians directly to attendees of all ages who want to learn from area masters and are another way to extend the old-time experience for those attending the Mount Airy Bluegrass and Old-Time Fiddlers Convention.
No registration is required. There are multiple classes in fiddle, banjo, and guitar as well as dances, jams, and old-time classes focusing on the local musical traditions.
The workshops are hosted by the Surry Arts Council and made possible through grant from our Presenting Sponsor The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
INSTRUCTORS
Wes Clifton, Darrius Flowers, Kevin Fore, Trish Fore, Lois Hornbostel, Michael Motley, Lucas Pasley, Emily Spencer, Martha Spencer, Ehukai Teves, and Travis Watts.
Workshop & Dance Schedule
Thursday, June 5, 2025
10:00 am - 11:00 am
- Kyle Dean Smith – Upright Bass
- Wes Clifton – Guitar
- Lois Hornbostel – Fiddle Tunes on Mountain Dulcimer (loaners available)
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
- Darrius Flowers - Youth Stringed Instruments
- Kyle Dean Smith – Blue Ridge Guitar
- Lois Hornbostel and Ehukai Teves– Mountain Dulcimer Playing Basics & History
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Darrius Flowers - Youth Stringed Instruments
- Wes Clifton – Guitar
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
- Kyle Dean Smith – Old-Time Guitar Runs – Blue Ridge Style
- Lois Hornbostel and Ehukai Teves – Playing Back Up/Chords on Mountain Dulcimer (loaners available)
- Mac and Hanna Traynham – Blue Ridge style Old-Time Fiddle
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Old-Time Jam with Kyle Dean Smith, Lois Hornbostel, Ehukai Teves and others
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Old-Time Dance featuring Trish Fore and the Wildcats
Friday, June 6, 2025
10:00 am - 11:30 am
- Martha Spencer – Old-Time Fiddle Beginner-Intermediate with Wes Clifton - Mandolin
- Lucas Pasley – Old-Time Fiddle Intermediate-Advanced
- Kyle Dean Smith – Guitar Runs – Blue Ridge Style
- Lois Hornbostel and Ehukai Teves – Playing Back-up Chords on the Mountain Dulcimer
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Emily Spencer – Clawhammer Banjo
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Circle - hosted by Jim Vipperman with Kevin and Trish Fore, Lois Hornbostel, Ehukai Teves, Travis Watts, Darrius Flowers, Martha Spencer, Lucas Pasley, Emily Spencer, Mac Traynham, Kyle Dean Smith, Wes Clifton
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Michael Motley - Dance Workshop accompanied by Travis Watts, Darrius Flowers, Wes Clifton, Martha Spencer, Lucas Pasley, Kyle Dean Smith
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
– Tavis Watts – Beginner-Intermediate Bluegrass Banjo
– Darrius Flowers – Youth Stringed Instruments
– Martha Spencer
and Wes Clifton– Playing together with Singing focus
– Lucas Pasley – Intermediate-Advanced Old-Time Fiddle
– Emily Spencer – Clawhammer Banjo
– Lois Hornbostel and Ehukai Teves – Mountain Dulcimer for Experienced Players
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
– Wes Clifton – Mandolin with Travis Watts – Blue Grass Banjo
– Darrius Flowers – Youth String Instruments
– Kyle Dean Smith – Upright Bass
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
The Nunn Brothers
Presenting Workshops Sponsors
The workshops are hosted by the Surry Arts Council and Veterans Memorial Park, Inc. and made possible through support from the Grassroots Grant Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
