Director's Message :

Welcome to the summer edition of our catalog. We have wedged a bunch of great guitar programs between our Mandolin Spring and our Fiddler's Fall so that you six-stringers don't feel left out. We have three guitar workshops prepared for this summer - one more different than the next. Brian Baggett will do a Jazz improv, Andy Mckee will do a couple of finger-style classes and we will have a wonderful singer/songwriter workshop and house concert courtesy of Mackie Redd. Read more about them inside...

And we're trying something bold and daring this summer too. Lily Mason has agreed to share her gift of clogg dancing with the Academy. Lily says it's like playing drums with your feet. She'll be accompanied by live music in a class that promises to be nothing if not loads of fun.

Speaking of loads of fun, moms and dads take note: Americana is offering, for the first time, a special class for toddlers and their parents called "Half Notes." What better place to explore the joys of music with your little ones than Americana?

And for the older kids in your family, this summer marks the return of our Rock & Roll Band class. This year we are happy to have Corey Merritt, our in-house metal guitar guru teaching the course, so sign up and be prepared to bang a few heads. Corey really rocks so a good time will be had by all.

I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge Scott Tichenor, our Mandolin Program Director for his help this spring in creating a Mandolin program for underprivileged kids that will run through September.

Look forward to our Fiddler's Fall and lots of great events before the end of this year. Some really amazing things are on the horizon. Come on by and check out a class or a workshop, or one of our community jams sessions.

Everyone is welcome. Come on by...

Peace,
Thom