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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

Multiple instruments jamming outdoors

Slow Jams

Alternating Fridays, 5:30-6:30 pm
2023: January 6 & 20, February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5
Saturday, May 20 at Sing & Play Festival

Play along to your favorite fiddle tunes at a gentle tempo.

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Campfire Songs

2023: July 24 - 27
Monday - Thursday 3:30 - 5pm
Upper Valley Music Center

Learn to strum and sing classic campfire songs on guitar for your next summer adventure!

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Fiddlers enjoying a traditional tune.

Summer 2023 Fiddle Week

2023: Monday-Friday, July 31-August 4
Trad Tunes for Kids: 3-4:30 pm
Adults: 5:30 pm-7 pm
Upper Valley Music Center

Build your fiddle tune repertoire and learn to play tunes with an ensemble!

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Fiddle students listening to a new tune.

Beginning Fiddle

Tuesdays 6-7 pm*
Part 1 Fall 2022: September 20-December 13
Part 2 Spring: February 7-May 9

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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Fiddle Tune Fridays

Fridays 4-5 pm
Fall Semester: October 7, November 4, January 20
Spring 2023: February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5
May 5 session canceled

Bring your instruments and play fiddle tunes with friends. For ages 8-13.

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Traditional Ensemble: Acadian, Appalachian and Cajun Connections

Spring 2023: March 2-May 25
Fall 2022: September 15-December 15
Thursdays 6:30-8:30 pm
Upper Valley Music Center Elgar Room

Learn to play traditional tunes in an ensemble.

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Group Guitar for Adults

Mondays 11 am -12 pm
Spring 2023: January 30-June 5
This class is full!

Learn how to play the guitar with real life people!

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Guitar student working with UVMC faculty

Beginning Guitar Parts 1 & 2

Tuesdays 6-7 pm
Spring 2023: January 30-May 30
Fall 2022: September 12-January 17
UVMC Elgar Room
This class is full!

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

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Events

No Events Scheduled at this time. Please check back soon!

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Folk Music Faculty

Tristan Bellerive

Tristan Bellerive

Guitar Amy Cann

Amy Cann

Fiddle, violin, contra/English country dance

Carol Compton

English Country Dance Ensemble Jeremiah McLane

Jeremiah McLane

Accordion, piano 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.