About Our Scholarship Program
The Handmade Music School makes its home at the world famous Floyd Country Store and draws from the rich local traditions to connect students with master musicians and dancers. Similar to the Floyd Country Store’s “Pay It Forward” program that helps cover meal costs for those in need, the Handmade Music School has created “Share The Music”, a program that provides access to traditional music lessons, classes, workshops, and camps through a scholarship program.
Share The Music Goals
The Handmade Music School in Floyd, Virginia is asking for your continued support to help us share the traditional music and dance culture of Southwest Virginia – let’s make learning opportunities accessible to all students!
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, we have launched Handmade at Home, a virtual Crowdcast workshop series, and our amazing teachers are still offering private lessons and additional resources online.
Our goal at The Handmade Music School is to make all of our programming available and accessible to all area youth, Junior Appalachian Musicians students and the greater community.
The mission of the Share The Music Program is to:
TIMMY MILLS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Timmy Mills Scholarship is used specifically to fund young students (under 25) who demonstrate an interest in the style of Bluegrass on any instrument. Preference will be given to committed students for ongoing lessons (either in-person or online). We will award a bundle of four 30-min lessons at a time, and assess student progress and commitment in consultation with the instructor monthly to determine continuing support or increasing support to full hour-lessons.
MARK PROCTOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND
About Mark Proctor
Mark passed unexpectedly in February of 2021. He was a staple of our community and a long-time, regular customer at Dogtown and The Floyd Country Store and ALWAYS quickly befriended our staff and our customers. His kind and warm hearted spirit had a special kind of humor that uplifted anyone he came in contact with, young and old. He had a humble wisdom, which he would always share with anyone who seemed interested to sit with him to talk. He loved the people of our community (old and new) and embraced them with so much respect and curiosity. He loved creativity and MUSIC – he rarely missed live music on our stages and happily showed his support for local music and the dedicated, talented musicians who provide it to our sweet Floyd town.
Apply For a Scholarship
Our Share the Music Scholarships are easy to access. Any person who cannot afford our learning opportunities but wishes to take part can fill out a simple form below requesting the funds for the program of their choice. Choose whether you are interested in a Handmade at Home workshop, private lessons, or the Floyd Old Time Music Get Together. Simply fill out the form and someone from our team will be in touch. Funding is subject to availability of scholarship funds. Please discuss with your Handmade Music School team member or teacher. Please determine how much you or your family can contribute when requesting ongoing funding.
PRIVATE LESSONS
If requesting ongoing private lessons, we will award a bundle of four 30-min lessons at a time, and assess student progress and commitment in consultation with the instructor monthly to determine continuing support or increasing support to full hour-lessons.
WORKSHOPS (IN PERSON AND HYBRID)
Workshops are offered regularly indoors and outdoors at The Floyd Country Store and other locations in downtown Floyd, VA. Visit our events page for the upcoming workshop schedule.
HANDMADE AT HOME VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
One-time use for a single online workshop.
FLOYD MUSIC LOFT RECORDING ENSEMBLE (GROUP CLASS)
The Floyd Music Loft Recording Ensemble is a group class available to up to 6 students in 8 week sessions. Taught by Nick Falk, this class provides students an opportunity to write, perform, and record music in a band setting with professional instruments and recording equipment.
HEART OF THE CHILD MUSIC EDUCATION (JOY JAMMERS)
A mixed age class for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers taught by Kari Kovick of Hear of the Child Music Education. Seasonal songs celebrate the abundance of nature we share in Floyd County with fun songs, lots of movement, scarves, balls, and rhythm instruments. For children up to 6 years.
OLD TIME MUSIC GET TOGETHER
Scholarships for our Floyd Old Time Music Get Together Camp are available and provided to a limited number of applicants. These scholarships are determined by the HMS Scholarship & Outreach committee and will be awarded based on need and the strength of the application. Please answer the questions completely and let us know what support you need and why.
Make a Donation
Your donations make a REAL difference to our students! If you are able, we ask you to consider a contribution that will help us make all of our programming accessible and available to all. Contributions of any amount are welcome – every little bit helps students in need!
The Handmade Music School is an initiative of Floyd Creative Studios, a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the creative process in Floyd County, Virginia.
