The Handmade Music School offers unique learning experiences in music, history, and dance with master teachers. Events offer high quality instruction and performances from local and global master artists and are focused on preserving, sharing, and celebrating the musical traditions of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Events are held online, at The Floyd Country Store, and at local venues in Floyd, Virginia. Register today for a workshop, class, lecture, performance, or a multi-day camp!
The Handmade Music School is currently offering workshops through our Handmade at Home Virtual Workshop Series. Workshops are offered weekly with some of the best musicians, dancers, historians, songwriters and more. Stream live on CrowdCast platform or tune in any time after the event to watch the replay! Follow us on Crowdcast at crowdcast.io/handmademusic.
Please read our Workshop Refund and Cancellation Policies prior to check out.
If you need assistance in paying for a workshop or event, check out our Share the Music Scholarships.
Events Search and Views Navigation
March 2022
Learn songs and stories from the rich folk music tradition of Southwest Virginia with local master musicians Mac Traynham and Andy Buckman. Reeb Willms and Caleb Klauder will also share their perspective on these songs and the influence that the music of this region has had in the development of their own repertoire. Please bring a recording device so that you can take these songs home with you!
Find out more
This class will focus on tunes from the Fauquier County, Virginia fiddler, John Ashby. His playing is ever-inspiring to me and I always go back to his three amazing LPs from the 1970's on County Records when I need a good fix of real old time fiddling. I'll start by teaching tunes that have a repetitive bowing pattern throughout both the A and B parts and we'll move on to other tunes that just vary slightly in their patterns. After a few tunes are learned this way and certain bowing patterns are recognized, it should be easier to hear these rhythms in other tunes and should be helpful for learning new tunes.
Find out more
Banjo-playing participants will be invited one at a time to join Adam on fiddle and Beth on guitar, playing a tune of their choice at their preferred tempo. Friendly feedback will be provided before and after each collaboration on how to make the blending of instruments as successful as possible. This is a great workshop for folks who have developed a bit of comfort on the banjo in a vacuum but are not quite sure how to play with the other instruments and/or do not feel ready to jump into an open jam.
Find out more
The Handmade Music School presents and evening of square dancing on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 8:00pm at The Floyd EcoVillage. The dance includes a stellar lineup of musicians and the calling of the talented Phil Jamison, in a hall with great sound and a wooden floor. Tickets are $8 online or at the door. Children under 12 get in free. Come early at 7:00pm for our staff concert, which is open to campers and ticket holders for the dance.
Find out more