For a week before the festival begins, Planet Bluegrass offers the opportunity to immerse yourself as an active participant in the world of bluegrass. We welcome many of the Festival performers - world-class bluegrass musicians representing several generations of the music's history and future. Last year's lineup of instructors included members of Psychograss and The Infamous Stringdusters, Russ Barenberg, Bryan Sutton, John Cowan, Pete Wernick, and other brilliant bluegrass musicians. Spaces in the 2009 Academy will be sold using an online lottery from November 10-18, 2008.
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| 2007 Song Circle |
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We will be offering three levels of instrument instruction offered for guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and bass and two levels of classes in dobro. The classes are small, and we include sessions on group jamming, vocal coaching, songwriting, one-on-one instruction and a variety of electives. Class topics cover a breadth of topics including: learning fiddle tunes, practice techniques, songwriting, writing instrumentals, accompaniment, improvisation, and musical history.
Evenings feature band scrambles, barbecues and plenty of jamming for novice through advanced ability levels. Many Academy students return year after year, creating long-term relationships with budding musicians from all over the world.
We ask that you be at least a novice on your instrument - No beginners, please! A limited number of guest passes will be sold. Guest passes allow your guest to camp with you on the Planet Bluegrass Ranch and enjoy the Monday and Thursday evening barbeques. We hope you can join us for a memorable week of pickin' on the Planet.
Meet your fellow Academy students in the Festivarian Forum and if you missed out on last year's Academy, check out the Times-Call multimedia slideshow or our slide-shows from past years.
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| 2007 Graduation Ceremony |
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RockyGrass Kids Camp
The Bluegrass Academy experience isn't just for parents. Children of registered Academy students can also join in the fun with a special program for your children ages 7-14 who are either new to bluegrass or at a novice or intermediate level.
Join members of the award-winning Bearfoot for four full days of instrument, vocal and band instruction that includes a final performance on Wednesday evening. Your children can choose from one or more of the following instrument classes: guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and bass. There are also vocal and band classes offered. Students are encouraged to try different instruments and to learn to perform bluegrass music together.
This is the perfect opportunity to bring the whole family to the Academy. The total cost of the Kids Camp is $250 and a non-refundable deposit will hold your place. Please read and complete this registration form prior to May 1. Learn more...
Mandolin Building Experience
Possible only on Planet Bluegrass do a few lucky participants have the chance to sample a variety of building
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| The Academy Lutherie faculty |
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and crafting techniques and materials while they accomplish what few have done before - walk away with a hand-built instrument in just four days. No building experience required, just a good attitude and focus. Tuition is $650, which includes a kit and expert instruction from luthiers Michael Hornick, Dan Roberts, Bobby Wintringham, and assistants Gary Lunde and Chuck Midgley.
Kits offered this year include mandolin (10 kits), mandola (3 kits), and octave mandolin (2 kits). With over 140 instruments built to date, this experience just keeps getting better.