Workshop Schedule
Everyone is welcome to attend our workshops and side stage events which also include some jamming opportunities. Experience our talented lineup in a more informal and more intimate way. Our workshops are designed for musicians of all levels. Workshops are 1 hour unless otherwise noted. Schedule subject to change.
Thursday – Sept 17, 2026
Workshop Stage
7:00 – 7:20pm Catch & Chords (Brianna & Joe Baxter)
7:30pm Honey Buckets Showcase
8:45pm Open Jamming
Friday – Sept 18, 2026
Workshop Stage
12:30 pm Forest Thurman & Breakline tips on how to win a band contest
2:00pm Sonoran Dogs Showcase featuring Chris Brashear
3:45pm Red Camel Collective vocal workshop featuring IBMA female vocalist of the year nominee Heather Berry Mabe and vocal group nominee Red Camel Collective
Fine Arts Wing
1:00 – 3:00pm Instrument Petting Zoo sponsored by Matheson Music Foundation (All children must be accompanied by an adult)
Saturday – Sept 19, 2026
Workshop Stage
9:00 – 11:00am Band Contest Preliminary Round
11:30am Tony Trischka Banjo Workshop the father of modern bluegrass
12:45pm Michael Daves explorations on the acoustic guitar
2:00pm Tony Trischka hosts story of the Earl Scruggs/John Hartford “lost tapes”
3:15pm John Reischman an intimate session with mandolin master and composer
Fine Arts Wing
10:00 – 12:00pm Instrument Petting Zoo sponsored by Matheson Music Foundation (All children must be accompanied by an adult)
12:30pm Cooperative Futures Institute presents: Bluegrass/Folk/Americana Jamming 101 session all instruments, all levels, all fun!
Fine Arts Wing
2:00pm Luthier Showcase & Workshop hosted by Ryan Elewaut of Solstice Guitars
Navajo Ramada
9:00 – 12:00pm Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam Class
Sunday – Sept 20, 2026
Workshop Stage
11:00am Jim Cross Sound Workshop featuring Mountain Time Ramblers w/ special guest Luke Stecklein (Breakline)
1:00 FFOTM Young Jammers Interactive Workshop
Fine Arts Wing
11:00 – 12:00pm Instrument Petting Zoo sponsored by Matheson Music Foundation (All children must be accompanied by an adult)
12:30pm Cooperative Futures Institute presents: Your Brain on Bluegrass! Join ASU professors Athena Aktipis, Tamera Schneider, and Deborah Wu for an interactive workshop about the science of being in sync.
Navajo Ramada
9:00 – 12:00pm Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam Class
Wernick Method Bluegrass Jamming Class
Saturday & Sunday, Sep 19-20, 2026
9am-noon
- All bluegrass instruments
- No jamming experience necessary
- You will be jamming the first session!
Tuition:
$90 in advance
$100 onsite
Or $60 per session
Save $10 by registering and paying in advance.
You will be sent the full set of of student materials as soon as you register.
50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance.
Festival admission required in addition to class tuition.
DO YOU QUALIFY?
It’s easier than you may think! If you play guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass, or dobro… you can be part of a bluegrass jam.
Only requirements: You must be able to tune your instrument (electronic tuning devices welcome) and change smoothly between G, C, D, and A. (Fiddles and basses need to know which notes work with which chords.) Fast playing is not expected, nor is the ability to solo required.
Pete Wernick (Dr. Banjo, originator of Banjo Camps and Bluegrass Jam Camps) has created a method that has taught thousands nationwide how to fit into bluegrass music jams at their own level. Wernick Method teachers are personally certified by Pete based on their knowledge of bluegrass, teaching in general, and teaching bluegrass according to his methods.
