Celebrating Tradition Community Music Retreat
August 16th – 20th 2024 – Spring Green, WI
2024 Retreat Workshops
2024 Workshop Grid Schedule
Artwork by Judy Higgins
Come together for a weekend of celebration and learning! Based on the teaching tradition of Bess Lomax Hawes as learned through Frank Hamilton, founder of the Old Town School of Folk Music, we’ll come together for a joyful weekend to celebrate our commonalities. Each day will be filled with workshops that include guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, song writing and voice. The workshops will run from approximately 9 am until 6 pm, beginning with an "all camp" ensemble session followed by break out sessions you can choose from. Each morning will begin with an optional yoga session and each night we’ll gather to share in music what we know and what we’ve learned. You can also sign up for private lessons with our faculty members and will have time to collaborate with other participants. Schedule of workshops will be posted soon.
Our main focus will be participation – but we’ll also delve into skills needed to play and sing different genres of traditional folk music.
Monday night will culminate the weekend with a participant performance.
Faculty members are Maura Lally Glover, Sue Demel, Jonas Friddle, Lukas Simspon. Ellen Shepard, Mitzi Lebensorger, Mark Mitchell, Amanda Healan and Peggy Browning.
Our retreat will be held at the lovely Cedar Valley Preserve. On-site/satellite cabin accommodations are shared rooms (two or three to a room). If that doesn't suit you, near Cedar Valley there are many cabins, AirBnBs, VRBOs and hotels. Click here for some offsite housing options nearby. If you need more information or have any questions please be in touch here: pegbrown7@aol.com.
Click here for cost and registration form
Our main focus will be participation – but we’ll also delve into skills needed to play and sing different genres of traditional folk music.
Monday night will culminate the weekend with a participant performance.
Faculty members are Maura Lally Glover, Sue Demel, Jonas Friddle, Lukas Simspon. Ellen Shepard, Mitzi Lebensorger, Mark Mitchell, Amanda Healan and Peggy Browning.
Our retreat will be held at the lovely Cedar Valley Preserve. On-site/satellite cabin accommodations are shared rooms (two or three to a room). If that doesn't suit you, near Cedar Valley there are many cabins, AirBnBs, VRBOs and hotels. Click here for some offsite housing options nearby. If you need more information or have any questions please be in touch here: pegbrown7@aol.com.
Click here for cost and registration form
Sue Demel - SONGWRITING, harmony singing
Sue Demel, known for her "out-the-box" harmony singing & songwriting, has developed some amazing workshops. Her hands on approach takes students through an instant call & response experience so that each tip is examined and quickly expressed through live interaction. Though schooled in jazz and sought after as a back up singer, it's Sue's 30+ years as a singer/recording artist in the iconic folk trio Sons of the Never Wrong, that have shaped her holistic philosophy that all music is accessible when approached with authenticity. Her students vary from veteran recording artists, to beginning singer/songwriters. Sue is not a savvy musical theorologist, her specialty "feel and ear" training is based on a strong guidance back to helping students reveal their true voices as singers & writers. Sue’s unique classes help expand repertoires by building on improvisation, dynamics, & wild writing prompts. 15+ years of teaching at Old Town School of Folk Music, and many national workshops later, Sue is so excited to be part of the Celebrating Traditions Retreat.
Sue Demel, known for her "out-the-box" harmony singing & songwriting, has developed some amazing workshops. Her hands on approach takes students through an instant call & response experience so that each tip is examined and quickly expressed through live interaction. Though schooled in jazz and sought after as a back up singer, it's Sue's 30+ years as a singer/recording artist in the iconic folk trio Sons of the Never Wrong, that have shaped her holistic philosophy that all music is accessible when approached with authenticity. Her students vary from veteran recording artists, to beginning singer/songwriters. Sue is not a savvy musical theorologist, her specialty "feel and ear" training is based on a strong guidance back to helping students reveal their true voices as singers & writers. Sue’s unique classes help expand repertoires by building on improvisation, dynamics, & wild writing prompts. 15+ years of teaching at Old Town School of Folk Music, and many national workshops later, Sue is so excited to be part of the Celebrating Traditions Retreat.
Maura Lally Glover - ENSEMBLE, guitar
Maura began taking guitar classes in the summer of 1996 and was immediately hooked - taken by the thrill of playing and singing and doing so with new pals. Ten years later, she was proud to be hired as a teacher at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Since that time she's team taught an ensemble class, "Celebrating Tradition" where she and Peggy Browning emphasize learning by ear, working out arrangements with the students, passing on stories and songs and stressing the joy that making music brings.
Maura is one of the founding members of the acoustic trio, "The Pickin' Bubs" whose sound is rooted in traditional music, from country, to blues, to gospel, old time and folk ballads and carried on in their originals.
Maura places an emphasis on listening, participation, good sound, laughter and enjoyment in making music with one another.
Maura began taking guitar classes in the summer of 1996 and was immediately hooked - taken by the thrill of playing and singing and doing so with new pals. Ten years later, she was proud to be hired as a teacher at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Since that time she's team taught an ensemble class, "Celebrating Tradition" where she and Peggy Browning emphasize learning by ear, working out arrangements with the students, passing on stories and songs and stressing the joy that making music brings.
Maura is one of the founding members of the acoustic trio, "The Pickin' Bubs" whose sound is rooted in traditional music, from country, to blues, to gospel, old time and folk ballads and carried on in their originals.
Maura places an emphasis on listening, participation, good sound, laughter and enjoyment in making music with one another.
Jonas Friddle - FIDDLE, BANJO, Guitar
Jonas Friddle is a singer, songwriter and Old-Time banjo player whose songs have received The John Lennon Songwriting Award, First Place in the Great American Song Contest and a nomination for Album of the Year in the Independent Music Awards. His tunes bear the marks of a musician who has done his time in pub sessions and square dance halls, and his writing is full of imagery, honesty and humor.
Friddle was raised in the mountains of North Carolina and learned to play guitar on a yard sale Harmony six string. He was already writing songs by the time he got to Kentucky at age eighteen. There, the bluegrass pickin’ and old-time dances turned him on to the power and joy of traditional folk music. He added a mandolin, fiddle and banjo to his arsenal and got a job slapping bass with the college bluegrass band. After serving his time in higher education, he spent a year traveling around the world playing music in pubs and living rooms. In 2007 Jonas landed in Chicago, started the Barehand Jugband, the Sleepy Lou Old-Time duo and began teaching at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Since then he has released multiple studio albums under his own name and with the folk supergroup “The Majority.”
Jonas Friddle is a singer, songwriter and Old-Time banjo player whose songs have received The John Lennon Songwriting Award, First Place in the Great American Song Contest and a nomination for Album of the Year in the Independent Music Awards. His tunes bear the marks of a musician who has done his time in pub sessions and square dance halls, and his writing is full of imagery, honesty and humor.
Friddle was raised in the mountains of North Carolina and learned to play guitar on a yard sale Harmony six string. He was already writing songs by the time he got to Kentucky at age eighteen. There, the bluegrass pickin’ and old-time dances turned him on to the power and joy of traditional folk music. He added a mandolin, fiddle and banjo to his arsenal and got a job slapping bass with the college bluegrass band. After serving his time in higher education, he spent a year traveling around the world playing music in pubs and living rooms. In 2007 Jonas landed in Chicago, started the Barehand Jugband, the Sleepy Lou Old-Time duo and began teaching at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Since then he has released multiple studio albums under his own name and with the folk supergroup “The Majority.”
Amanda Healan - BASS, Ukulele
Amanda Healan is known for her powerful presence and warmth, which she readily shares through her upright bass. Also an accomplished singer, Amanda’s voice cuts through a crowd with unvarnished honesty. She has been playing and teaching the bass for over 20 years. Her roots lie in the symphony and have grown to include folk, blues, honky-tonk country, and bluegrass. She emphasizes ensemble playing, and as one conductor wrote, “She misses nothing in terms of the group dynamic.”
In 2014, Amanda entered the doors of the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, where her love of community music blossomed. She eagerly adopted the baritone ukulele, songwriting, and a penchant for oral tradition. Now in Nashville, she makes play a priority and “is a surefire scheme for fun and unexpected brilliance,” according to her bandmates. Amanda brings a limitless supply of good cheer to her students and welcomes all musical expressions.
Amanda Healan is known for her powerful presence and warmth, which she readily shares through her upright bass. Also an accomplished singer, Amanda’s voice cuts through a crowd with unvarnished honesty. She has been playing and teaching the bass for over 20 years. Her roots lie in the symphony and have grown to include folk, blues, honky-tonk country, and bluegrass. She emphasizes ensemble playing, and as one conductor wrote, “She misses nothing in terms of the group dynamic.”
In 2014, Amanda entered the doors of the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, where her love of community music blossomed. She eagerly adopted the baritone ukulele, songwriting, and a penchant for oral tradition. Now in Nashville, she makes play a priority and “is a surefire scheme for fun and unexpected brilliance,” according to her bandmates. Amanda brings a limitless supply of good cheer to her students and welcomes all musical expressions.
Mark Mitchell - FIDDLE, mandolin, guitar
Mark began playing music in 1992, first taking a guitar class at the Armitage Avenue Old Town School. Through years of playing and learning, Mark continued to hone his skills as a musician, turning his focus to mandolin and fiddle. His eclectic taste ranges from old time, traditional folk, rock, even some punk and a variety of fiddle styles, most recently Irish fiddle.
He is a founding member of the acoustic trio, "The Pickin' Bubs" whose sound is rooted in traditional music, from country, blues, to gospel, old time and folk ballads. His skills as a multi-instrumentalist make him a sought after player, lending his talents to other musical groups, including "The Alberts Folk Revival".
Mark began playing music in 1992, first taking a guitar class at the Armitage Avenue Old Town School. Through years of playing and learning, Mark continued to hone his skills as a musician, turning his focus to mandolin and fiddle. His eclectic taste ranges from old time, traditional folk, rock, even some punk and a variety of fiddle styles, most recently Irish fiddle.
He is a founding member of the acoustic trio, "The Pickin' Bubs" whose sound is rooted in traditional music, from country, blues, to gospel, old time and folk ballads. His skills as a multi-instrumentalist make him a sought after player, lending his talents to other musical groups, including "The Alberts Folk Revival".
Ellen Shepard - SINGING, Ukulele, banjo, guitar
Ellen Shepard. Ellen has been a folkie since she was four, when she first strummed Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecelia" on ukelele and started listening to the Midnight Special radio show. In addition to performing folk and early country songs, her musical travels have included choral singing and being the “chick singer” in multiple jazz ensembles. Along with Chris Walz, she toured the midwest as a member of the Mark Dvorak Trio, and along with Mitzi, she opened for Barack Obama as part of the close harmony trio Sweet Fern and currently performs as part of the Twilight Stealers. She has taught vocal and harmony workshops at the Old Town School of Folk Music, Folky Fish Fest, and the Celebrating Tradition retreat and has studied voice and banjo with some of her musical heroes, including Moira Smiley, Val Mindel, and Jonas Friddle.
Ellen Shepard. Ellen has been a folkie since she was four, when she first strummed Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecelia" on ukelele and started listening to the Midnight Special radio show. In addition to performing folk and early country songs, her musical travels have included choral singing and being the “chick singer” in multiple jazz ensembles. Along with Chris Walz, she toured the midwest as a member of the Mark Dvorak Trio, and along with Mitzi, she opened for Barack Obama as part of the close harmony trio Sweet Fern and currently performs as part of the Twilight Stealers. She has taught vocal and harmony workshops at the Old Town School of Folk Music, Folky Fish Fest, and the Celebrating Tradition retreat and has studied voice and banjo with some of her musical heroes, including Moira Smiley, Val Mindel, and Jonas Friddle.
Peggy Browning - ENSEMBLE, guitar, banjo
Peggy Browning began as a student at the Old Town School of Folk Music in the mid ’90s. There she found a place amidst music with friends and history that would come to be an integral part of her life. Ten years later she was hired to teach and has proudly carried on in the traditions and vision of the school. She models her teaching styles after her mentors, Mark Dvorak, Frank Hamilton, and Bess Lomax Hawes. Peggy focuses on ensemble playing. She emphasizes learning by ear and creating arrangements together, with all levels of players. While keeping fresh the history of the Old Town School of Folk Music and America’s aural traditions, she also remembers to keep an ear to the greats of today. She creates a safe space for her students to learn and grow. Peggy plays guitar and the 5-string banjo.
Peggy is one of the founding member of “The Pickin’ Bubs,” an acoustic trio whose sound is rooted in traditional music, from country, blues, gospel, old time, and folk ballads. She is the main songwriter for the group and her original compositions echo those traditions. Her music and teaching reflect her eagerness to learn and to welcome others. “As long as there are voices to sing and hearts to listen, your work, your songs, and your labor will spread to bless and fertilize the land.” — Woody Guthrie
Peggy Browning began as a student at the Old Town School of Folk Music in the mid ’90s. There she found a place amidst music with friends and history that would come to be an integral part of her life. Ten years later she was hired to teach and has proudly carried on in the traditions and vision of the school. She models her teaching styles after her mentors, Mark Dvorak, Frank Hamilton, and Bess Lomax Hawes. Peggy focuses on ensemble playing. She emphasizes learning by ear and creating arrangements together, with all levels of players. While keeping fresh the history of the Old Town School of Folk Music and America’s aural traditions, she also remembers to keep an ear to the greats of today. She creates a safe space for her students to learn and grow. Peggy plays guitar and the 5-string banjo.
Peggy is one of the founding member of “The Pickin’ Bubs,” an acoustic trio whose sound is rooted in traditional music, from country, blues, gospel, old time, and folk ballads. She is the main songwriter for the group and her original compositions echo those traditions. Her music and teaching reflect her eagerness to learn and to welcome others. “As long as there are voices to sing and hearts to listen, your work, your songs, and your labor will spread to bless and fertilize the land.” — Woody Guthrie
Lukas Simpson- MANDOLIN, banjo, guitar
Lukas Simpson is a folk singer, teacher and performer. His original compositions have been used in television and radio commercials worldwide, adapted for stage productions and performed by a philharmonic orchestra. Lukas has played music across the US and Ireland with Goldmine Pickers and various other bands and performers and he with his wife, Angela organized and produced a festival in Northern Indiana called FolkyFishFest, an event designed to bring people together to share talents and passions which inspire one another and celebrate friendship through folk music, fishing, crafts and fellowship. He is currently living in St. Louis, MO where he teaches clawhammer banjo, guitar, mandolin and ukulele classes and lessons at The Folk School of St. Louis and The Music Room. He also walks dogs, performs and chases his four year old daughter around.
Lukas Simpson is a folk singer, teacher and performer. His original compositions have been used in television and radio commercials worldwide, adapted for stage productions and performed by a philharmonic orchestra. Lukas has played music across the US and Ireland with Goldmine Pickers and various other bands and performers and he with his wife, Angela organized and produced a festival in Northern Indiana called FolkyFishFest, an event designed to bring people together to share talents and passions which inspire one another and celebrate friendship through folk music, fishing, crafts and fellowship. He is currently living in St. Louis, MO where he teaches clawhammer banjo, guitar, mandolin and ukulele classes and lessons at The Folk School of St. Louis and The Music Room. He also walks dogs, performs and chases his four year old daughter around.
Mitzi Lebensorger - SINGING, fiddle, guitar
Making music together can be pure magic! Mitzi loves the joy, connection, and transcendence of group music-making and likes nothing better than sharing that with others—whether singing sweet a cappella harmonies in small groups, facilitating a spirited singing jam at a senior center, or rocking the rafters in a gospel choir. She is grateful to the supportive teachers and musical communities that have influenced her over the past 25 years, especially the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, the Augusta Heritage Center in West Virginia, and Music for People improvisation workshops. She has performed at venues small and large with the harmony-centric bands Sweet Fern and Sweeter Gift Trio and the bluegrass band Wood Street Bloodhounds. Most memorable was sharing the stage with then-Senator Barack Obama at Chicago’s Daley Center Plaza for a peace rally with 30,000 people in attendance. In addition to singing, Mitzi enjoys playing guitar and fiddle, especially with Fiddle Club of the World Orchestra and Organic Tune Sprouters.
Making music together can be pure magic! Mitzi loves the joy, connection, and transcendence of group music-making and likes nothing better than sharing that with others—whether singing sweet a cappella harmonies in small groups, facilitating a spirited singing jam at a senior center, or rocking the rafters in a gospel choir. She is grateful to the supportive teachers and musical communities that have influenced her over the past 25 years, especially the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, the Augusta Heritage Center in West Virginia, and Music for People improvisation workshops. She has performed at venues small and large with the harmony-centric bands Sweet Fern and Sweeter Gift Trio and the bluegrass band Wood Street Bloodhounds. Most memorable was sharing the stage with then-Senator Barack Obama at Chicago’s Daley Center Plaza for a peace rally with 30,000 people in attendance. In addition to singing, Mitzi enjoys playing guitar and fiddle, especially with Fiddle Club of the World Orchestra and Organic Tune Sprouters.
Theo Kyrkostas - Yoga
Theo has been working in private practice for over 40 years, the majority of which revolves around massage and teaching Iyengar Yoga.
Theo incorporates modalities which he has found to be of the greatest help to his clients. Breathing is as important as the correct alignment. He aims to have the breath initiate each movement. Finding a rhythm that encourages moving with ease is one area that Theo emphasizes when teaching, not only to be in the moment but to prevent injury. The main value Theo brings to the table when sharing the beauty of Iyengar Yoga is to cultivate self-compassion—to be kind to yourself and avoid self-deprecating thoughts—and to accept where you are in your practice and to be patient
Theo has been working in private practice for over 40 years, the majority of which revolves around massage and teaching Iyengar Yoga.
Theo incorporates modalities which he has found to be of the greatest help to his clients. Breathing is as important as the correct alignment. He aims to have the breath initiate each movement. Finding a rhythm that encourages moving with ease is one area that Theo emphasizes when teaching, not only to be in the moment but to prevent injury. The main value Theo brings to the table when sharing the beauty of Iyengar Yoga is to cultivate self-compassion—to be kind to yourself and avoid self-deprecating thoughts—and to accept where you are in your practice and to be patient
MKM Family Caterers
Back by popular demand are our wonderful caterers, Mary, Kathy and Moira. They have been amazing in keeping everyone nutritiously fed while keeping a sense of humor. We are so lucky to have them with us again this year!
Back by popular demand are our wonderful caterers, Mary, Kathy and Moira. They have been amazing in keeping everyone nutritiously fed while keeping a sense of humor. We are so lucky to have them with us again this year!