Upcoming Workshops & Events

The Handmade Music School presents a flatfoot dance workshop on Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 5:00-6:00pm with Martha Spencer from the family-based Whitetop Mountain Band & Larry Sigmon & Martha Spencer. Martha has just come out with a Flatfoot Dancing for Beginners DVD and will be sharing her easy to learn method, with each step broken down, slow and fast. The workshop will also feature a brief history of the dance traditions from Southwest Virginia.

Join Handmade Music School instructor David Cannaday for a beginner ukulele workshop on Saturday,March 30, 2019 from 3:00-5:00pm. This will be a family friendly, kid friendly workshop priced with a Ukulele. It is a great way to get started with an instrument! Or, makes an excellent gift! Cost is $65 for workshop + new Ukulele, $30 for workshop only.

The Handmade Music School presents an Intermediate Banjo Workshop with Bertram Levy on Sunday, April 7, 2019 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Cost is $30. The workshop will cover The Cockerham Clock, according to Fred and the Piedmont Swing and Over the Waterfall Above the 5th Fret.

Join us on Saturday April 13, 2019 for an Old-Time or Bluegrass style Mandolin Workshop with Adam Tanner. The Old Time Mandolin workshop takes place from 1:00-2:30pm. The Bluegrass Mandolin workshop takes place from 3:30-5:00pm. Cost is $25 for one workshop or $40 for both.

The Handmade Music School presents an Intermediate Round Peak Clawhammer Banjo Workshop with Adam Hurt on Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 5:30-8:00pm. Workshop participants should have a good working knowledge of the basics of the clawhammer style, including drop-thumbing, and be comfortable playing in multiple tunings. All material will be taught by ear in the traditional manner, so the use of recording devices is highly recommended. Cost is $40.00.

The Handmade Music School presents a back-up guitar workshop with John Schwab on Saturday April 27, 2019 from 3:00pm-5:00pm. Cost is $30. John's classes and workshops include hands-on learning, based on careful listening to classic performances from the 78 rpm era. By using recordings that have been pitch-adjusted and slowed down digitally, students learn to identify and to imitate the characteristic riffs used by the very best backup guitar players of the 1920s and 1930s.

The Handmade Music School presents a flatfoot dance workshop on Saturday, April 27, 2018 from 5:30-6:30pm with local dancer/fiddler Gina Dilg. Gina will break down some basic steps that you can practice at the 7:30pm dance (to be announced)! All ages welcome. Cost: $10.

The Handmade Music School presents a Vocal Duets Workshop with Frank and Allie Lee on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 12:30-3:00pm. Cost is $40. Sing melody without sheet music and harmony without hardship by following along with Frank & Allie Lee. Frank and Allie (of The Freight Hoppers) are a husband and wife duo who perform old time songs with banjos, guitars, and voice across the country. Whether you have sung your whole life or are still getting comfortable with your voice, Frank and Allie can relate, help you find your voice, and show you how to find harmony with someone else’s voice to create a vocal duet.

The Handmade Music School presents Limberjack Decorating & Dancing with Linda Ewing on Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Do you have family in town for Mothers Day weekend? Bring them to the Handmade Music School for this special, all ages, event! Young children are welcome with an adult. Please age 10 and over without an accompanying adult. The cost is $45 and includes limberjack. Space is limited to 14 so sign up early!