Never Come Down Workshops

 "Fun-damentals of Old-Time Fiddling” with Lillian Sawyer (Fiddle)

Old-time music is a fun, approachable, and deeply communal style that doesn’t require a high level of virtuosity. In this workshop, we’ll step out of our “improv brains” and back into our bodies by connecting to rhythm and groove. Together, we’ll learn a tune and explore bowing techniques unique to old-time music that bring out its distinctive swing and drive."

“Improvising 101” with Lillian Sawyer (Fiddle)

Improvising can be really scary but it doesn't have to be! At its core, improvising really just means being able to connect notes or rhythms together in a spontaneous way. This can be as simple or as complicated as you make it! Using our natural intuitive sense of tension and release and some basic scale knowledge we'll learn to trust our ears and get past the initial overwhelm we all feel when learning to improvise.

Appropriate for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels.

“How to Play More Notes” with Kaden Hurst (Mandolin)

Ornamenting a melody is a core skill of playing bluegrass and old time music. But, what does that mean? How do we do that? How do people play so many notes while still sounding like they're playing the melody? How do we even move our hands that fast? I don't have all the answers, but I do want to explore all those questions with you.

“Pick Fiddling” with Kaden Hurst (Mandolin)

Even when playing mandolin, we call them fiddle tunes for a reason. The ways tunes are performed, phrased, and embellished all have their roots in the physicality of fiddling. This workshop is all about how we can emulate those qualities in our mandolin playing to get more in the groove, more grounded in our improvisation, and more in touch with our instruments

Appropriate for intermediate, and advanced levels.

“Playing with Vocal Awareness” with Crystal Lariza (Voice- all levels)

Get out of your head and into your body! Explore the strength and dynamics of your voice through creative vocal play! Focusing on simple techniques that can be applied for individual or harmony singing- this workshop is for anyone searching for more awareness and presence in their voice.

Appropriate for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels.

“Beginning/intermediate Flatpicking” with Joe Suskind (Guitar)

Unlock ideas, identify resistance in your playing and remove blocks through exploration of right hand techniques. By combining rhythm techniques, cross picking and single note lines we’ll bridge the gap between rhythm and lead playing.

Appropriate for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels.