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Traditional Folk Music

UVMC offers lessons, classes, and workshops in traditional styles on a variety of instruments.

Our mission is to connect the local music community with the best traditional musicians for performances and workshops, bring people together for music-making events, and offer lessons at all ability levels with highly skilled faculty members.

Accordion and fiddle player at Upper Valley Music Center
Fiddle player at Upper Valley Music Center
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Classes

Summer 2024 Monday Night Fiddle

July 1 - August 5
Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm
Upper Valley Music Center

Intermediate adults learn tunes from Celtic, French Canadian, Cape Breton, and New England Contra Dance traditions.

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Monday Night Fiddle

Mondays 7 - 8 pm
Spring 2024: March 18-May 13

Learn tunes and styles from Celtic, French Canadian, Cape Breton, and New England Contra Dance traditions.

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Traditional Ensemble: The Art of Small Ensemble Playing, Part 2

Wednesday 6:30-8:30 pm
Fall 2023: September 6 - November 15
Spring 2024: March 6-May 15

Learn to play traditional tunes in an ensemble.

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Kids Beginner Ukulele

Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 pm
Spring 2024: February 7-May 15

Learn the basics in a supportive environment for kids ages 8-13.

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Guitar student working with UVMC faculty

Beginning Guitar Parts 1 & 2

Saturdays 3-4 pm
Fall 2023: September 11-January 15
Spring 2024: January 27-May 26
UVMC Elgar Room

Develop your skills to confidently play through complete songs and get comfortable playing music with others.

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Guitar student working with UVMC faculty Tristan Bellerive

Intermediate Group Guitar

Saturdays 2-3 pm
Spring 2024: January 27-May 26
Fall 2023: September 11-January 15
UVMC Elgar Room

Group guitar class for intermediate players who want to strengthen improvisation skills, fretboard knowledge and more.

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English Country Dance Music Sessions

Sundays 7-8:30 pm
Second and Fourth Sundays
Fall 2023: September 24-January 14
Spring 2024: January 28-June 16

UVMC English Country Dance Instrumental Music sessions provide a friendly, flexible and spontaneous small ensemble setting for beginning, intermediate to experienced players of a variety of traditional instruments.

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Fiddle students listening to a new tune.

Beginning Fiddle

Tuesdays 6-7 pm
Spring 2024: January 30-May 7
Fall 2023: September 12 -December 5 (Part 1)

Beginning adults start with the very basics: how to hold the fiddle and bow with clean, relaxed technique that fits your body, how to “hear” and remember a tune.

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Events

Band with instruments

Scottish Music Workshop with Cantrip

Thursday, August 8,
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm EDT
$28
Upper Valley Music Center

Join this four-piece band to learn how to play tunes in the Scottish style.

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Beginner Banjo Workshop

Tuesday, August 13,
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm EDT
Kilton Library

Explore basic chords, strumming patterns, and learn a tune with claw-hammer style banjo picking.

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fiddle and mandolin

Slow Jam

Tuesday, August 27,
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm EDT
|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every month that begins at 5:30 pm on day Second of the month, repeating until Saturday, June 1, 2024

One event on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 5:30 pm

One event on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 5:30 pm

One event on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 5:30 pm

Upper Valley Music Center
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More Upcoming Events »

Folk Music Faculty

Amy Cann

Amy Cann

Fiddle, violin, contra/English country dance

Rachel Clemente

harp

Carol Compton

English Country Dance Ensemble fiddle

George Fowler

Fiddle Jeremiah McLane

Jeremiah McLane

Traditional ensembles Ben Van Vliet

Ben Van Vliet

Violin, fiddle

Questions?

If you’d like to learn more about our traditional folk music offerings, visit our FAQ page or contact us with your questions.