Blue Ox is pleased to present its instrument and songwriting workshops. *New* this year is a clogging workshop presented by the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers.

Learn more about Bluegrass, Americana, Roots and traditional string genres of music from excellent instructors.

*Workshops will provide a beginner level instruction. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own instrument and chair.

***Friday Workshops 

9:30 AM – Songwriting Seminar with Soren Staff (Them Coulee Boys),  Lee Henke (The Last Revel) & Kyle Shestad (Barbaro) 

Join three prolific songwriters from popular regional bands and long time friends together in discussion. They will demonstrate techniques used to craft their songs both individually and collaboratively. This workshop seminar will include a short performance debuting their new trio, Alren!

Location: Backwoods Stage

10:00 AM – Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop with Yasmin Williams 

Explore the guitar with main stage artist, Yasmin Williams. Hailing from Washington DC, Williams’ instrumental compositions have earned her international acclaim. With her unique approach to the guitar, including alternate tunings and tapping, there will be something to learn for every level of player.

Location: Potluck Pickin Place 

11:00 AM – Banjo Workshop with Anthony Ihrig (The High 48s)

As both a banjo player with the award-winning High 48s Bluegrass Band and a composer of original progressive banjo music, Anthony Ihrig is able to help students navigate the entire spectrum of banjo picking styles – from traditional Scruggs techniques to modern newgrass approaches. Anthony’s teaching style is both informative and entertaining with an emphasis on creating an inclusive and positive learning environments for students of all levels.

Location: Potluck Pickin Place 

***Saturday Workshops 

9:30 AM – Clogging Seminar with Wild Goose Chase Cloggers 

The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, based out of Minneapolis/St. Paul, consists of 12 energetic dancers, accompanied by their own live string band, whose mission is to promote and sustain interest in traditional Appalachian clogging. Their performances combine precision clogging with square dance formations, as well as freestyle dancing and acapella numbers. In this workshop, they will introduce you to some basis and intermediate clogging steps, as well as body percussion, called “hambone”.

Location: Backwoods Stage

10:00 AM – Mandolin Workshop with Mike Hedding

Mike Hedding has been a staple of the Minnesota bluegrass scene for the better part of a decade as a multi-instrumentalist in several popular bands. Mike honed his Monroe-style playing with mandolin master Mike Compton for ten years. Alongside his successful online lesson programs, he is currently a member of The Johnson Brothers, Pistol Whippin’ Party Penguins and The Katey Bellville Band.

Location: Potluck Pickin Place

11:00 AM – Fiddle Workshop with Shauncey Ali 

Shauncey Ali has toured, recorded and taught in the U.S., Italy, Spain and Scotland. He has won the RockyGrass fiddle contest, been featured in Fiddler Magazine and received Teacher of the Year by the Madison Area Music Association. Shauncey is the director of MadFiddle, a youth music development program, and creator of Strapsey case straps.

Location: Potluck Pickin Place