PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids (BGA) is a free four-day learning program held Thursday through
Sunday during the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. At the academy, students learn how to play, sing and perform bluegrass
music. Classes include sectional lessons, ensemble practice,
harmony singing and special electives.
BGA ends with a performance Sunday afternoon on
the Main Stage. Approximately 80-90 kids participate each
year.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Articles about the Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids have been published in Bluegrass
Unlimited Magazine and by IBMA. We have served as mentors at the IBMA World of Bluegrass, and have presented our BGA program at Leadership
Bluegrass in Nashville. We are honored that several
festivals around the country have used Grey Fox
BGA model as a blueprint for their academies.
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.
Classes generally have 10 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 (guitar and vocals) and Andrew VanNostrand (fiddle, mandolin and vocals) will be leading the BGA Seniors program.
SCHEDULE
Thursday
7-8pm
Orientation: Meet instructors, run
through tunes, get materials. Bring your instrument.
Instructors will make class adjustments as needed.
Friday
10-noon:
Sectionals, ensembles and singing classes
Noon-1:30:
Break for lunch with your family
1:30-3:30:
Sectionals, ensembles, singing and electives
Saturday
10-noon:
Sectionals, ensembles and singing classes
Noon-1:30:
Break for lunch with your family
1:30-3:30:
Sectionals, ensembles, singing and guest band
performance
Sunday
10-noon:
Concert rehearsal, class photo & diplomas
Noon-1:00:
Break for lunch with family
1:00
Meet backstage for BGA Main Stage performance.
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
Before enrolling, please make sure your child can:
Attend classes all four days.
Bring his/her own instrument.
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
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.
We recommend that students bring a tuner to class
with them. This can be an electronic tuner (such as
those made by Intellitouch), a tuning fork or pitch
pipe.
Guitar and banjo students should bring a capo suitable
for their instrument.
REGISTERING YOUR CHILD
Registration begins at midnight, April 1. Some
classes fill up very quickly!
Fee: There is no charge to participate in BGA.
Ways to support the program are described in the registration
form.
Tickets: Kids 12 and under are admitted free to
Grey Fox. Kids 13 and up need a ticket to attend the
festival. Please visit our TICKET
PAGE to purchase tickets. The last day for our
Early Bird special is April 30.
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.
"The first year I went to Grey Fox (2001), I was in the Bluegrass Academy for Kids and it was so fun! I played the mandolin and got to sing onstage! I'll never forget it!"
The Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids (BGA) is a free four-day learning program held Thursday through
Sunday during the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. At the academy, students learn how to play, sing and perform bluegrass
music. Classes include sectional lessons, ensemble practice,
harmony singing and special electives.
BGA ends with a performance Sunday afternoon on
the Main Stage. Approximately 80-90 kids participate each
year.
