Instruction and Workshops

Chris and Rachel both offer private lessons.

Chris also offers a series of harmonica workshops each year. Chris and Rachel also teach at several adult music camps during the summer. In addition they offer several school programs.

The first is a lecture performance running 40 to 50 minutes. It consists of the history and demonstration of a multiplicity of traditional instruments and music. These include both the common and the unusual. A few examples of the more obscure instruments are kan (the original harmonica designed over 3000 years ago in Thailand). Chris is an impressive player of this harmonica as well as every other kind. Other instruments included in the demonstration are bowed psaltery, bagpipes, jews harp, hurdy-gurdy, melodeon, fiddle, washboard, and many more.

The program includes lots of music and plenty of interesting information and history on both the music and the instruments. This program can be tailored to appeal to just about any age from five to 95.

Time is always allotted at the end for questions and answers. They also offer a harmonica workshop in which they teach the participants to play some basic but satisfying harmonica pieces. Once again, this is appropriate for any age, suggested nine years and above. This workshop requires a bit more planning because it is necessary to acquire the appropriate number of harmonicas for the participants.

Rachel also offers a fiddle repertoire workshop for intermediate to advanced players. This includes fiddle tunes from a wide variety of countries, eras, and sources.