Jenny Brook's Bluegrass University offers Beginner Classes for Adults
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Tony Watt
Jun 2, 2023, 10:44:21 AM6/2/23
to NEBG (to post)
Hey Everybody,
I hope you are all as excited as I am about The Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival coming up in just three weeks in beautiful Tunbridge, VT! Once again, I am honored to be heading up The Bluegrass University at Jenny Brook - a set of 7 beginner classes for adults who want to get the right start or review the fundamentals. The teachers at this year's Jenny Brook Bluegrass University include some of the most talented and experienced we've ever had:
I hope you are all as excited as I am about The Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival coming up in just three weeks in beautiful Tunbridge, VT! Once again, I am honored to be heading up The Bluegrass University at Jenny Brook - a set of 7 beginner classes for adults who want to get the right start or review the fundamentals. The teachers at this year's Jenny Brook Bluegrass University include some of the most talented and experienced we've ever had:
Banjo - Bruce Stockwell
Guitar - Betsy Rome
Fiddle - Cathy Day
Singing - Tim FitzPatrick
Dobro - Dave Bevins
Bass - John Savold
and Mandolin - Tony Watt (me)
Guitar - Betsy Rome
Fiddle - Cathy Day
Singing - Tim FitzPatrick
Dobro - Dave Bevins
Bass - John Savold
and Mandolin - Tony Watt (me)
Classes are held for all instruments and vocals, in a small group setting (between 3 and 9 students per class). The classes will be held on Saturday, June 24th from 2 until 4:30 pm, and the cost for two-and-a-half hours of hands-on instruction is only $35. In case you are interested, there was a great article about Jenny Brook's Bluegrass University written by Dick Bowden on Bluegrass Today: http://bluegrasstoday.com/jenny-brooks-bluegrass-university/
Please visit https://jennybrookbluegrass.com/1-stages-programs/#bluegrass-university for more details about the classes, and www.jennybrookbluegrass.com for details about the festival. Below are ten questions and answers about Jenny Brook's Bluegrass University and this year's teachers' bios. Please let your friends know about these classes if they're looking for some high-quality, low-cost instruction!
Tony
IBMA & SPBGMA Award-Winner | TonyWattBluegrass.com
Lily P's Fried Chicken & Oysters | BluegrassTuesdays.com
JamVember, Boston's Non-Festival | JamVember.com
BBU Education Co-Director & Vice President | BBU.org
10 Q&A's about The Jenny Brook Bluegrass University
Q. What is The Jenny Brook Bluegrass University?
A. Seven beginner classes for adults held at The Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival. The classes are two and a half hours of hands-on instruction on Saturday of the festival, from 2 until 4:30 pm, and the cost is $35.
Q. Who are the teachers?
A. See https://jennybrookbluegrass.com/1-stages-programs/#bluegrass-university for each teacher's bio. Although each teacher will be addressing different topics, all teachers will be gearing their classes towards beginners and beginner/intermediate musicians. These classes are geared toward those who want to get the right start or review the fundamentals.
Q. Can I take more than one class?
A. No, unfortunately, all of the classes are held at the same time on Saturday from 2 until 4:30 pm. But all of the teachers have additional availability and we recommend you ask the teacher about other options, such as a private lesson at another time.
Q. Where will the classes be held?
A. The classes will be held at various locations throughout the festival, usually at the instructor’s own campsite.
Q. How do I find the specific class location?
A. Come meet your teacher at the Bluegrass University Preview at 6 pm on Friday and/or the Meet & Greet at 1 pm on Saturday. Then be sure to arrive no later than 1:45 pm on Saturday so you can go with your teacher to the class location.
Q. What are the Bluegrass University Preview and Bluegrass University Meet & Greet?
A. Hour-long sessions meant to introduce you to the Bluegrass University instructors and their classes. Please stop by and say hello, and we can answer any questions you may have.
Q. What do I need to bring?
A. You need to bring an instrument and a chair, preferably a folding (armless) chair. You should also bring $35 in cash or check made out to your instructor.
Q. Do I need to pre-register?
A. No pre-registration is required. You can walk up as late as 1:45 pm on Saturday if you have everything you need (see above).
Q. What are the limits on class size?
A. The class size is limited to 3 students minimum and 9 students maximum. The maximum class size ensures that every student gets a small group learning environment. Unfortunately, teachers may not be able to offer the class if there are fewer than 3 students. In that case, we highly recommended you ask your teacher about other options, such as a private lesson at the same time.
A. The class size is limited to 3 students minimum and 9 students maximum. The maximum class size ensures that every student gets a small group learning environment. Unfortunately, teachers may not be able to offer the class if there are fewer than 3 students. In that case, we highly recommended you ask your teacher about other options, such as a private lesson at the same time.
Q. Can I record the class?
A. Yes, you are welcome to make an audio recording of your class, provided you agree not to post it on the internet or share it widely. Video recording is not allowed without explicit permission from your teacher. Some teachers may even record the class for you and send you a copy later.
A. Yes, you are welcome to make an audio recording of your class, provided you agree not to post it on the internet or share it widely. Video recording is not allowed without explicit permission from your teacher. Some teachers may even record the class for you and send you a copy later.
2023 Teacher Bios
Banjo - Bruce Stockwell
Bruce Stockwell has been playing bluegrass banjo since 1968 and teaching since the ’70s. By age 16 he had won banjo contests, recorded his first album, and opened for Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, John Hartford, and many others. In the late '70s he worked with Phil Rosenthal and Mike Auldridge as Old Dog producing two albums on Flying Fish. Since the 1980s, Bruce has performed with his two brothers (and now wife Kelly) in various acoustic/electric formats, currently as the Stockwell Brothers Band. In 2005 he won the Merlefest Banjo Contest, and in 2008 a NH Arts Grant led to the formation of Hot Mustard, a double-banjo bluegrass band.
Guitar - Betsy Rome
Betsy Rome is well-known for her flatpicked guitar, blending bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, & swing influences. Noted for her rock-solid rhythm and inventive leads, she has won or placed in numerous band and instrumental contests. Betsy teaches guitar and mandolin, both in person and online. She has taught workshops at Grey Fox, Joe Val, Podunk, Winter Village and Thomas Point Beach festivals, and Marist College. A founding member of Too Blue, one of the Northeast’s most respected bands, Betsy also plays mandolin in the Walkingwood Mandolin Quartet.
Fiddle - Cathy Day
Cathy Day began performing at age 10 with her parents and sister in the Rose City Bluegrass Band which played numerous shows throughout the Northeast US during the 80s. As a teen, she arranged and taught the harmonies to her band, and taught fiddle, bass, and dobro. She was a member of the award-winning all-girl band, SassyGrass, and the New Hampshire-based band Marcy Hill. She has a passion for passing on bluegrass music as an instructor at Bluegrass Kids Academies, hosting music jams, and Wernick classes in her home. She demonstrates bluegrass music to kids in the schools, plus still finds time to teach in her spare time. Cathy is a point person for the newly formed Connecticut Bluegrass Association
Singing - Tim FitzPatrick
Tim FitzPatrick grew up attending bluegrass festivals throughout the Northeast and absorbing the songs he heard on and off stage. Since then, he's performed at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, Club Passim, the Rose Garden Coffeehouse, and for Bluegrass Tuesdays now at Lily P's. Tim performed live and recorded two CDs of string band music with the Hi-Tone Ramblers (Inner Space and Bedbug Blues). In any setting, listeners appreciate his powerful singing and solid rhythm guitar playing. Some even tolerate his sense of humor.
Dobro - Dave Bevins
Dave Bevins (dobro wizard) started at home with his family, The Chilson Hill Gang. As a teenager, he guested many times with the Country Gentlemen and Don Stover. He became a 4-year member of Green Mountain Bluegrass with Dan & Stan Tyminski and after that joined the Mardi Gras band. In 2003 he won the National Resonator Dobro guitar competition. Dave has appeared & recorded with John Cowan, Pat Flynn, Scott Vestal, Victor Krauss, Andrea Zohn, & Andy Leftwich. He also has a CD recorded in Nashville, produced by Pat Flynn & engineered by Bert Battaglia, who also engineered Belas Fleck’s ‘Perpetual Motion’ CD. For the last 15 years, he’s performed at festivals from Indiana to Georgia and here in the northeast with the Atkinson Family.
Bass - John Savold
John Savold has been playing bass (both upright and electric) for over 45 years and has performed throughout New England in various bands playing R&B, Jazz, and more. He has concentrated solely on bluegrass for the past 7 years and performs regularly at The Burren and The Bebop as well as various in jams including at Bluegrass Tuesdays at Lily P's. He has also performed at various New England bluegrass festivals such as Podunk and Thomas Point Beach.
Mandolin - Tony Watt
IBMA and SPBGMA award-winning bluegrass musician Tony Watt has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and on the Grand Ole Opry. He has toured with Alecia Nugent, Leigh Gibson, and Alan Bibey & Grasstowne, and his videos on YouTube have over 950,000 views. Tony is the BBU's Vice President and at Berklee, he is a Five-Week Summer Program Faculty Member and an American Roots Music Program visiting artist. He led Ashokan's First-Ever Bluegrass Camps and was the Jam- and Beginner-Track Coordinator for Guitar & Mandolin and Banjo Camp North. Tony also presents JamVember, a bluegrass jamming "non-festival", and is the new host of Bluegrass Tuesdays at Lily P's in Cambridge, MA, one of the longest-running and most-successful bluegrass nights in history. Tony currently teaches lessons, classes, and jam sessions throughout the Boston area and anywhere in the world via Zoom.
Bruce Stockwell has been playing bluegrass banjo since 1968 and teaching since the ’70s. By age 16 he had won banjo contests, recorded his first album, and opened for Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, John Hartford, and many others. In the late '70s he worked with Phil Rosenthal and Mike Auldridge as Old Dog producing two albums on Flying Fish. Since the 1980s, Bruce has performed with his two brothers (and now wife Kelly) in various acoustic/electric formats, currently as the Stockwell Brothers Band. In 2005 he won the Merlefest Banjo Contest, and in 2008 a NH Arts Grant led to the formation of Hot Mustard, a double-banjo bluegrass band.
Guitar - Betsy Rome
Betsy Rome is well-known for her flatpicked guitar, blending bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, & swing influences. Noted for her rock-solid rhythm and inventive leads, she has won or placed in numerous band and instrumental contests. Betsy teaches guitar and mandolin, both in person and online. She has taught workshops at Grey Fox, Joe Val, Podunk, Winter Village and Thomas Point Beach festivals, and Marist College. A founding member of Too Blue, one of the Northeast’s most respected bands, Betsy also plays mandolin in the Walkingwood Mandolin Quartet.
Fiddle - Cathy Day
Cathy Day began performing at age 10 with her parents and sister in the Rose City Bluegrass Band which played numerous shows throughout the Northeast US during the 80s. As a teen, she arranged and taught the harmonies to her band, and taught fiddle, bass, and dobro. She was a member of the award-winning all-girl band, SassyGrass, and the New Hampshire-based band Marcy Hill. She has a passion for passing on bluegrass music as an instructor at Bluegrass Kids Academies, hosting music jams, and Wernick classes in her home. She demonstrates bluegrass music to kids in the schools, plus still finds time to teach in her spare time. Cathy is a point person for the newly formed Connecticut Bluegrass Association
Singing - Tim FitzPatrick
Tim FitzPatrick grew up attending bluegrass festivals throughout the Northeast and absorbing the songs he heard on and off stage. Since then, he's performed at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, Club Passim, the Rose Garden Coffeehouse, and for Bluegrass Tuesdays now at Lily P's. Tim performed live and recorded two CDs of string band music with the Hi-Tone Ramblers (Inner Space and Bedbug Blues). In any setting, listeners appreciate his powerful singing and solid rhythm guitar playing. Some even tolerate his sense of humor.
Dobro - Dave Bevins
Dave Bevins (dobro wizard) started at home with his family, The Chilson Hill Gang. As a teenager, he guested many times with the Country Gentlemen and Don Stover. He became a 4-year member of Green Mountain Bluegrass with Dan & Stan Tyminski and after that joined the Mardi Gras band. In 2003 he won the National Resonator Dobro guitar competition. Dave has appeared & recorded with John Cowan, Pat Flynn, Scott Vestal, Victor Krauss, Andrea Zohn, & Andy Leftwich. He also has a CD recorded in Nashville, produced by Pat Flynn & engineered by Bert Battaglia, who also engineered Belas Fleck’s ‘Perpetual Motion’ CD. For the last 15 years, he’s performed at festivals from Indiana to Georgia and here in the northeast with the Atkinson Family.
Bass - John Savold
John Savold has been playing bass (both upright and electric) for over 45 years and has performed throughout New England in various bands playing R&B, Jazz, and more. He has concentrated solely on bluegrass for the past 7 years and performs regularly at The Burren and The Bebop as well as various in jams including at Bluegrass Tuesdays at Lily P's. He has also performed at various New England bluegrass festivals such as Podunk and Thomas Point Beach.
Mandolin - Tony Watt
IBMA and SPBGMA award-winning bluegrass musician Tony Watt has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and on the Grand Ole Opry. He has toured with Alecia Nugent, Leigh Gibson, and Alan Bibey & Grasstowne, and his videos on YouTube have over 950,000 views. Tony is the BBU's Vice President and at Berklee, he is a Five-Week Summer Program Faculty Member and an American Roots Music Program visiting artist. He led Ashokan's First-Ever Bluegrass Camps and was the Jam- and Beginner-Track Coordinator for Guitar & Mandolin and Banjo Camp North. Tony also presents JamVember, a bluegrass jamming "non-festival", and is the new host of Bluegrass Tuesdays at Lily P's in Cambridge, MA, one of the longest-running and most-successful bluegrass nights in history. Tony currently teaches lessons, classes, and jam sessions throughout the Boston area and anywhere in the world via Zoom.
Tony Watt
May 20, 2024, 3:58:36 PM5/20/24
to NEBG (to post)
Hey Everybody,
I hope you are all as excited as I am about The Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival coming up at the end of June in beautiful Tunbridge, VT! Once again, I am honored to be heading up The Bluegrass University at Jenny Brook - a set of 7 beginner classes for adults who want to get the right start or review the fundamentals. The teachers at this year's Jenny Brook Bluegrass University are something like a dream team, and I couldn't be more happy to be teaching with them:
Banjo - Bruce Stockwell
Fiddle - Ellen Carlson
Singing - Chris Brashear
Mandolin - Quinn Eastburn
Fiddle - Ellen Carlson
Singing - Chris Brashear
Mandolin - Quinn Eastburn
Dobro - Dave Bevins
Bass - Steve Roy
and Guitar - Tony Watt (me)
Bass - Steve Roy
and Guitar - Tony Watt (me)
Classes are held for all instruments and vocals, in a small group setting (between 3 and 9 students per class). The classes will be held on Saturday, June 29th from 2 until 4:30 pm, and the cost for two-and-a-half hours of hands-on instruction is only $35. In case you are interested, there was a great article about Jenny Brook's Bluegrass University written by Dick Bowden on Bluegrass Today:
http://bluegrasstoday.com/jenny-brooks-bluegrass-university/
Please visit https://jennybrookbluegrass.com/1-stages-programs/#bluegrass-university for more details about the classes, and www.jennybrookbluegrass.com for details about the festival. Below are ten questions and answers about Jenny Brook's Bluegrass University and this year's teachers' bios. Please let your friends know about these classes if they're looking for some high-quality, low-cost instruction!
Tony
Lily P's Fried Chicken & Oysters | BluegrassTuesdays.com
JamVember, Boston's Non-Festival | JamVember.com
BBU Education Co-Director & Vice President | BBU.org
10 Q&A's about The Jenny Brook Bluegrass University
Q. What is The Jenny Brook Bluegrass University?
A. Seven beginner classes for adults held at The Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival. The classes are two and a half hours of hands-on instruction on Saturday of the festival, from 2 until 4:30 pm, and the cost is $35.
Q. Who are the teachers?
A. See https://jennybrookbluegrass.com/1-stages-programs/#bluegrass-university for each teacher's bio. Although each teacher will be addressing different topics, all teachers will be gearing their classes towards beginners and beginner/intermediate musicians. These classes are geared toward those who want to get the right start or review the fundamentals.
Q. Can I take more than one class?
A. No, unfortunately, all of the classes are held at the same time on Saturday from 2 until 4:30 pm. But all of the teachers have additional availability and we recommend you ask the teacher about other options, such as a private lesson at another time.
Q. Where will the classes be held?
A. The classes will be held at various locations throughout the festival, usually at the instructor’s own campsite.
Q. How do I find the specific class location?
A. Come meet your teacher at the Bluegrass University Preview at 6 pm on Friday and/or the Meet & Greet at 1 pm on Saturday. Then be sure to arrive no later than 1:45 pm on Saturday so you can go with your teacher to the class location.
Q. What are the Bluegrass University Preview and Bluegrass University Meet & Greet?
A. Hour-long sessions meant to introduce you to the Bluegrass University instructors and their classes. Please stop by and say hello, and we can answer any questions you may have.
Q. What do I need to bring?
A. You need to bring an instrument and a chair, preferably a folding (armless) chair. You should also bring $35 in cash or check made out to your instructor.
Q. Do I need to pre-register?
A. No pre-registration is required. You can walk up as late as 1:45 pm on Saturday if you have everything you need (see above).
Q. What are the limits on class size?
A. The class size is limited to 3 students minimum and 9 students maximum. The maximum class size ensures that every student gets a small group learning environment. Unfortunately, teachers may not be able to offer the class if there are fewer than 3 students. In that case, we highly recommended you ask your teacher about other options, such as a private lesson at the same time.
A. The class size is limited to 3 students minimum and 9 students maximum. The maximum class size ensures that every student gets a small group learning environment. Unfortunately, teachers may not be able to offer the class if there are fewer than 3 students. In that case, we highly recommended you ask your teacher about other options, such as a private lesson at the same time.
Q. Can I record the class?
A. Yes, you are welcome to make an audio recording of your class, provided you agree not to post it on the internet or share it widely. Video recording is not allowed without explicit permission from your teacher. Some teachers may even record the class for you and send you a copy later.
A. Yes, you are welcome to make an audio recording of your class, provided you agree not to post it on the internet or share it widely. Video recording is not allowed without explicit permission from your teacher. Some teachers may even record the class for you and send you a copy later.
2024 Teacher Bios
Banjo - Bruce Stockwell
Bruce Stockwell has been playing bluegrass banjo since 1968 and teaching since the ’70s. By age 16 he had won banjo contests, recorded his first album, and opened for Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, John Hartford, and many others. In the late '70s he worked with Phil Rosenthal and Mike Auldridge as Old Dog producing two albums on Flying Fish. Since the 1980s, Bruce has performed with his two brothers (and now wife Kelly) in various acoustic/electric formats, currently as the Stockwell Brothers Band. In 2005 he won the Merlefest Banjo Contest, and in 2008 a NH Arts Grant led to the formation of Hot Mustard, a double-banjo bluegrass band.
Fiddle - Ellen Carlson
With a Masters in Education and 15 years of teaching math, Ellen knows what it means to be accountable for people learning what is taught. Over 50 years of playing fiddle combined with this teaching experience make her a sought-after teacher for workshops and lessons. She has taught at Fiddle Hell, Grey Fox, Kaufman Kamp (TN), Joe Val, Pemi Valley, and along with Pete and Joan Wernick at the Wernick Jam Camps. She has run her own camp for over 25 years, Fiddleheads Acoustic Jam Camp. Starting the NH Fiddle Ensemble in 2010 she has grown this "orchestra" from 20 to over 140 and is currently the Executive Director of this successful nonprofit along with Melissa Caron. She is a member of the NH State Council on the Arts Teaching Roster.
Singing - Chris Brashear
Chris Brashear is a songwriter and singer with a wide vocal range and a clear, distinctive voice. Chris brings over thirty years of professional music experience as a performer, producer, teacher, and recording artist. He has taught at numerous camps and festival workshops across the country, including the Augusta Heritage Bluegrass Camp (WV), Joe Val, Banjo and Mandolin Camps North, Walker Creek Music Camp (CA), Roots & Boots Music Camp (AZ), Berea College Music Festival (KY), the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention (CA), and Mars Hill Roots Music Camp (NC). He has solo recordings produced by Jody Stecher and Jim Rooney. According to Alice Gerrard (of Hazel & Alice), "Chris Brashear is one of the finest singers in bluegrass today. With an amazing range and depth, he sings with authenticity and soul and brings you into any song he sings, whether it’s a song he’s written or one of the classics."
Mandolin - Quinn Eastburn
Quinn Eastburn is a multi-instrumentalist, bluegrass musician, and teacher from the Boston area. He started playing at age 4 and was soon fronting a band, performing at festivals and on many stages including Club Passim, the Stadium Theatre, and the Boston Esplanade (for 92.9's Earthfest). He has soloed with orchestras and performed with many notable musicians including Rick Faris, Darol Anger, Martin Sexton, Alastair Moock, and Tony Watt. For several years, Quinn has been privately teaching a variety of instruments to people of all ages and leading a group class on music theory and sight singing for adults. He will be attending Berklee College of Music starting this fall.
Dobro - Dave Bevins
Dave Bevins (dobro wizard) started at home with his family, The Chilson Hill Gang. As a teenager, he guested many times with the Country Gentlemen and Don Stover. He became a 4-year member of Green Mountain Bluegrass with Dan & Stan Tyminski and after that joined the Mardi Gras band. In 2003 he won the National Resonator Dobro guitar competition. Dave has appeared & recorded with John Cowan, Pat Flynn, Scott Vestal, Victor Krauss, Andrea Zohn, & Andy Leftwich. He also has a CD recorded in Nashville, produced by Pat Flynn & engineered by Bert Battaglia, who also engineered Belas Fleck’s ‘Perpetual Motion’ CD. For the last 15 years, he’s performed at festivals from Indiana to Georgia and here in the northeast with the Atkinson Family.Bass - Steve Roy
Steve Roy is a multi-instrumentalist from Eliot, Maine who plays and teaches upright bass, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and ukulele. As a sideman, he has toured nationally and internationally with many of the acoustic world’s top acts, including Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, John Reischman and Eli West, Molly Tuttle, Joe K. Walsh, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, Joy Kills Sorrow, Hit and Run Bluegrass, and many others. He is currently a faculty member at 317 Main St. Community Music Center in Yarmouth, ME, and at Portsmouth Music and Arts Center in Portsmouth, NH. Steve is the Program Director at Nimblefingers Old Time & Bluegrass Workshops in British Columbia, and he has taught many other music camps and workshops throughout the USA and Canada, including Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp (TN), Ossipee Valley String Camp, Walker Creek Music Camp (CA), Aloha Bluegrass Academy (HI), and many others.Guitar - Tony Watt
IBMA and SPBGMA award-winning bluegrass musician Tony Watt has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and on the Grand Ole Opry. He has toured with Leigh Gibson, Alecia Nugent, and Alan Bibey & Grasstowne, and his performance, jamming, and teaching videos on YouTube have over 1.3 million views. Tony is an Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, teaching bluegrass within the Ensemble Department. He is a graduate of IBMA's Leadership Bluegrass and is the Vice President and Education Co-Director of the BBU. Tony is also the director of The Bluegrass University, which presents JamVember, and a new event named JamVember in July held in Greenfield, MA. And, he is the host of Bluegrass Tuesdays at Lily P's in Cambridge, MA, which is one of the longest-running and most successful bluegrass nights in the country. Tony currently teaches lessons, classes, and jam sessions throughout the Boston area and online via Zoom.
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