You must have a festival ticket in order to attend masterclasses. 

10:00am-11:15am

Ukulele Blues Party MASTERCLASS: Jugband blues songs with playing and singing parts for several levels of ukester. We'll work on getting an old-timey sound, with the right rhythm, chord positions and where to find the melody. We'll try and listen to each other and play together.  Parts for basic chords, strumming, picking and singing. Be comfortable and confident with first position chords and able to keep time while changing between them. High G) tuning. By ear, no TAB. Level: Players with experience and daring beginners

Everyone Can Sing with Denis Donnelly MASTERCLASS 
Denis will lead you through singing songs from rich American and British folk traditions in unaccompanied 3 or 4 part harmony. The songs will be taught aurally (i.e. no paper!). Denis will lead you through learning the parts, working towards the beautiful experience of singing the songs all together. No previous singing experience required! Level: Anyone

Pierre Schryer Fiddle MASTERCLASS : Pierre will teach a few fiddle gems, which will also include discussions on fiddle/bow technique, repertoire building and musicality in the world of Celtic music. Level: Intermediate.

Adam Dobres Accompaniment MASTERCLASS: Adam will cover old time accompaniment and explore some Celtic rhythms  chord voicing for backing melody players. Level: Intermediate.

11:30am-12:45pm

Pierre Schryer Fiddle MASTERCLASS: Pierre will teach challenging pieces to include a Quebecois reel, a lyrical Irish tune or two, and a hauntingly beautiful air or waltz (if time permits). Also some fiddle/bow techniques will be presented throughout the workshop. Level: Advanced.

Coco Love Alcorn & Denis Donnelly MASTERCLASS: Come sing with Coco Love Alcorn and Denis Donnelly as they co-create a brand new arrangement of one of Coco’s new songs! Coco and Denis will develop the parts on the spot and teach them to the participants in beautiful 4-part harmony. No previous singing experience required! Level: Everyone.

Adam Dobres Accompaniment MASTERCLASS : Adam will lead the group through old time and Celtic accompaniment techniques and will explore some advanced techniques including chord substitutions, advanced chord voicings, and alternate tunings including DADGAD and drop D tuning. Level: Advanced

Stephanie Cadman Stepdance WORKSHOP: Come learn some Ottawa Valley Stepdancing, a mixture of Irish Stepdancing and tap dancing.  Open to all levels, bring a leather soled shoe or your favourite dance shoes. Level: Everyone.

1:00pm-2:15pm

Darol Anger’s Bluegrass & Beyond Fiddle-ology MASTERCLASS, with Guest Co-Instructor Patrick M’Gonigle: Folded into the session, we’ll examine tonal concepts, phrasing, rhythm techniques, the Blues melodic environment, look at the Dominant 7th Cycle, and analyze some standard tunes to freshen, polish and possibly ruin them.  Participants can expect to come away with new or improved techniques and insights that will lend to increased understanding, ease, and fun when playing Bluegrass fiddle in either an accompanying or a solo role. Knowledge of these ideas and techniques will greatly increase fiddlers’ musical confidence and spontaneity in a Bluegrass jam or band. Level: Intermediate - Advanced     

Mike Marshall: The Mandolin and All its Glory MASTERCLASS 
Mike Marshall, acclaimed mandolin master and professor at the Artistworks School of Mandolin, explains, demonstrates, and teaches a wide-ranging swath of mandolin music, knowledge, and lore, from the general to the specific and back again. Bring your instruments! Level: All levels

Adrian Dolan Accompaniment MASTERCLASS: (piano, guitar, accordion, mandolin, and any other rhythmic/chordal instruments welcome). If you have a basic knowledge of forming chords on your instrument (novice/intermediate), come learn the building blocks for accompanying fiddle tunes. We'll cover different rhythmic feels/styles, how to recognize choral movement, and how to provide support for the melody even in the simplest ways. Level: Beginner - Intermediate.

2:30pm-3:45pm

Mike and Darol: The Duo Works it Over  MASTERCLASS 
Improvisation, Interaction, Improvisation, Reflection, Conversation: The Duo talk and play about music
Darol Anger and Mike Marshal draw from over 40 years of playing as a Duo; using traditional and various pop and jazz forms, and how to do that and get maximum enjoyment out of it all. We'll play through some tunes and pull 'em apart and see what it's all made of. Level: All levels

Fiddle Ensemble MASTERCLASS: Come learn from Trish Horrocks a wonderful tune with some great harmony parts. Intermediate Fiddle.

Miriam Sonstenes Fiddle MASTERCLASS: Every beginner fiddle player needs to learn tunes they can play with others, and hone their technique for great sound and solid rhythm. This workshop will focus on an easy to learn tune, taught by ear, while highlighting all the most important fundamentals of good fiddle technique. Level: Beginner
 

4:00pm-5:15pm

Wesley Hardisty Fiddle MASTERCLASS: This workshop will be focusing on the fundamentals and techniques of what it takes to play the fiddle with ease. Along with this, Wesley will teach tune or two for you to take home with you! Level: Beginner.

Miriam Sonstenes Old Time Fiddle MASTERCLASS: Here’s your chance to delve into some American old time fiddle tunes and improve your knowledge of syncopated bowing, drones, slides and other stylistic elements that make old time fiddling so much fun. Our focus will be a couple of Kentucky fiddle tunes from the playing of Snake Chapman. Level: Intermediate.

5:30-6:45pm

Darol Anger with Rhythm and Chop: recent advances in string groove MASTERCLASS
A noisy revolution has been under way the last 15 years in vernacular string playing: Invented by Richard Greene and developed and popularized by Darol, Natalie Haas, Andy Reiner and Casey Driessen, the Chopping technique has spread like Ebola throughout the string world. We will further analyze the technique, get it under control, and talk about when to and when NOT to do it. If there is time, we will look at some different grooves to try. Level: Intermediate-Advanced. (“Chopping” experience recommended.)