BUY 2008 Bluegrass Academy photos Group Photos | All Photos
Proceeds benefit the Grey Fox Education Fund.

Click on RED BUTTON (top right) to register your child.

Scroll down page for program description & schedule.

Click on www.FIDDLEPAL.com to download 2009 BGA tunes:

"Better Times A-comin" (lyrics)

"Silver Haired Daddy" (lyrics)

"Little Liza Jane" (arrangements for various instruments)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids (BGA) is a free four-day learning program held Thursday thru Sunday during the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in Oak Hill, NY. The goal of the program is to teach children (age 8-17) to play, sing and perform bluegrass music. The curriculum includes sectional lessons with their assigned instrumental teacher, ensemble practices with the whole group, harmony singing lessons, special electives and guest appearances by professional musicians performing at Grey Fox. The program's grand finale is a performance Sunday afternoon on the Main Stage. Approximately 100 kids participate each year.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Articles about the Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids have been published in Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and regional bluegrass association newsletters. Grey Fox teachers and its coordinator have been speakers at the annual IBMA World of Bluegrass Business Conference and at Leadership Bluegrass in Nashville. We are honored that several festivals around the country have used the Grey Fox BGA model as a blueprint for their learning programs.

BGA STAFF
Renowned master fiddler and teacher BRIAN WICKLUND has been the artistic director of the Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids since 2000. He is the author of the highly acclaimed American Fiddle Method fiddle books as well as a busy touring with Brother Mule. Several gifted instructors and players comprise the BGA faculty, most of whom have been teaching at Grey Fox since 2000. They include Ellen Carlson (fiddle); Lew Gelfond (fiddle); Ira Gitlin (banjo); Cathy Goode (fiddle); Louis Kaplan (bass); Chris Panfil (guitar); Mark Panfil (dobro and guitar); Akira Otsuka (mandolin).

CLASSES
We offer beginning, intermediate and advanced fiddle; beginning and intermediate guitar; mandolin; banjo; bass/cello and dobro, plus an advanced seniors class (see description below). Classes generally have up to ten students in them.

“BGA SENIORS” CLASS
The “BGA Seniors" Class is for students who are “way beyond the basics” on their instruments. The focus of this class is to refine playing and singing skills, and to learn to play as a tight bluegrass band, including such aspects as soloing, band dynamics and effective backup. Normally this program is reserved for teens, but it depends on playing ability. "Seniors" typically perform one or two short "gigs" at the Family Stage during the festival. Class size is limited to 10 students. Tony Watt and Megan Lynch will be leading the Seniors. We are pleased to welcome Megan to the wonderful faculty of BGA.

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
Before enrolling, please make sure your child can:

1. Attend classes all four days, beginning with orientation on Thursday night and ending with Sunday's performance.
2. Bring an instrument to all sessions, including orientation.
3. Has basic knowledge of his/her instrument. For instance, fiddle students should be able to play an A scale and play a simple tune such as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Guitar students should be able to play A, D and E chords and change comfortably between them.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. BGA is designed for kids age 8 and up. However, if your child has not yet turned 8 but has been taking lessons, plays his/her instrument with basic proficiency AND has an adequate attention span, we will consider accepting him or her if room allows.
2. We recommend that students bring a tuner to classes with them. This can be an electronic tuner (such as those made by Intellitouch), a tuning fork or pitch pipe.
3. Guitar and banjo students should bring a capo suitable for their instrument.

REGISTERING YOUR CHILD

1. Registration begins at midnight, April 1 for the same year's academy. Some classes fill up quickly!
2. There is no charge to participate in the academy. However, tax deductible donations are gladly accepted and very much appreciated.
3. Kids 13 and up need a ticket to attend the festival. Please visit our TICKET PAGE to purchase tickets. Kids 12 and under are admitted free to Grey Fox with a ticketed parent or guardian.
4. To register your child for BGA, click the registration link at the top right on this page, fill in all questions and click "submit" ONCE.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Burdette at 607-330-1727 or burdette@greyfoxbluegrass.com.

Thank you to: