HOTAfest 2013 workshops

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All Sorts of Squares

Bob Nicholson

• Dance squares from a variety of traditions and styles: New England, Southern, singing, visiting, etc. Level of difficulty will be matched to the experience of the participants.
  

Backing up Celtic Tunes

Cormorant's Fancy

• We'll focus on basic backup for jigs, slip jigs, reels, and marches. For guitarists and other "chording" instruments. Music reading not required.

Beginning Bodhran

Cormorant's Fancy

This workshop, for the first-time or beginner bodhran player, will give participants the tools to advance to the next level. Pizza box bodhrans will be provided for those without instruments.

Beginning Guitar: chord variations basic runs in the key of C

Clair Carlson

• How to play major chords in different positions on the guitar. Variations in the first position setting up runs. Hammering on and off for effect. Learn to play Elk River Blues.
  

Beginning Tenor Banjo in Irish Tuning

Jerry Trusty

• Learn the basics for playing Irish tenor banjo. This is a melodic style for playing with a flat pick. You need a tenor banjo tuned in fifths, preferable G, D, A, E, but C, G, D, A will work.
  

Beginning Whistle

Cormorant's Fancy

• This workshop is for the first-time and beginner whistle player. Music reading not required. A recording device is helpful.
  

Blues Harmonica

Mike Hogg

• "Ya Wanna' Learn a Little Blues?" With your C diatonic harmonica (bring your own for obvious reasons), in no time you'll be playing blues in the key of G (cross harp)…and then the improvisation will be added, and the fun begins!
  

Blues Mandolin Styles

Michael Hampsey

• We will learn blues scales, styles, chords, and songs.
  

Celtic Styles for Mandolin

Michael Hampsey

• Traditional Irish dance music. Learn a jig and reel!
  

Christmas and Holiday Tunes in July

Curt Osgood

• This is a jam and listening session for all levels and all instruments. Let's beat the heat and share our favorite holiday melodies together. Some sheet music will be provided.
  

Chord Theory

Dave Southwick

• We will go over how to form basic chords and simple chord progressions.
  

Clawhammer Banjo for Accompanying Songs

Sue Powers

• This workshop will explore several different styles and ideas for developing your own approach to accompaniment. Drawing on Appalachian and blues traditions, as well as contemporary folk and rock styles, we will focus on bridging the unique rolling-rhythmic clawhammer style with the melodies of several different traditional songs.

Clawhammer Guitar

Jerry Trusty

• This session is for guitar players or banjo players. Clawhammer guitar is using the clawhammer banjo right hand (picking and strumming hand) style of the guitar. Melody and back-up can be effectively played, and the adjustment from banjo to guitar or guitar to banjo is not large.
  

Clay Whistles/ Ocarina Style

Bill Logan

• Students will form a working whistle in fireclay at will be fired at our high school and sent on to the student.
  

Contra Dance Open Band Practice

Peggy Shutes

• Always wanted to play in a contra dance band? Here's your chance! The band will practice reels, jigs, and waltzes for the Saturday evening contra dance. Music will be provided. For all instruments, intermediate and advanced players.
  

Creekside Photography

Mike Henderson

• We’ll get together indoors first, where we will go over the various forms of nature photography. We will look at dozens of examples as we touch on panoramic photogrpahy and high dynamic range (HDR) techniques, and the basic gear I recommend for nature photography. Then we’ll go out along Oil Creek (walk from the school) and get some hands-on experience. If there’s time,some of the students’ photos will be printed and put on display.
  

Craft Gift Cards from Paper and Glue (2)

Nancy Yergin

• Using tissue paper and acrylic medium, you can create cards for any occasion. If you can use scissors and a paint brush, you can make cards - or high quality art.
  

Easy Contra Dances

Bob Nicholson

• Easy Contra dances for beginners and those who dance with beginners.
  

Fabric Collages

Joan Wallace

• This workshop introduces the participant to a methodology of creating landscapes/ still life using fabric as the principle medium supplemented with fabric pain, thread, and other embellishments. Simple design concepts will produce a paper backed postcard with mailing envelope. Finished product can be matted and framed. Kits and all supplies will be provided.

Fiddle I, II & III

Elizabeth Corewin

• Learn a tune by ear. Fine tune some bowing techniques. The discussion will focus on the next steps in a fiddler's progress. Although it is highly recommended that new fiddlers begin with session one, it is not necessary to attend all three sessions. Each session will have its own tune, and participants can jump into any or all of the sessions.
  

Flat Foot Dancing

Charlie Barton

• Learn the oldest dance in the U.S.A. and make music with your feet.
  

French Canadian Foot Percussion

Brian How

• An introduction to the foot percussion that accompanies traditional Quebecian music.
  

Fun with Fiber

Sharon Reiland

• Needle felting is a process of matting wool fibers in an ordered adn deliberate way to produce decorative shapes that are either flat or three-dimensional. A barbed needle is used to repeatedly stab the wool with the barbs catching and tangling the fibers. In this workshops, students will learn the basics of needle felting and finish a small project. No previous experience necessary.
  

Guitar Maintenance

Kerry Grendon

• Bring your problems and guitar questions. We will cover common maintenance to prevent repairs.
  

Hammered Dulcimers for Beginners

Curt Osgood

• A Primer for beginners. Some topics will include strings, note and octave schema, hammers, tuning (wrenches, machines), and dulcimer stands. We will learn some scales, simple chords and discuss keys. We will try hammering patterns and learn about orchestrating tunes while learning several simple folk tunes.
  

Hoop Dancing

Jennifer Dehheney

• Come learn the movement art of hoop dance with Jennifer Dennehy. Learn the fundamental moves of hoop dance that will allow you to build a solid foundation for the dance form. There will be a series of basic techniques taught for keeping the hoop up, recovery methods, dancing in your hoop and other methods for moving in and out of the hoop. All the while, you'll be toning your abs, back, arms, hips, and legs, developing spinal flexibility, increasing coordination and getting a cardio workout. Designed to make you feel fantastic as you explore new dimensions of movement and expression. All skill levels welcome and hoops are provided.
  

Hootenanny Songs of the Great Folk Revival

Todd Crowley

• In 1959 the Kingston Trio had a #1 hit with the old folk song "Tom Dooley." Soon after young people all across the country picked up guitars, banjos, autoharps, and any other folk instruments they could find and started singing the old songes in coffee houses and in college campus hootenannies. This renewed interest in the old songs then inspired a new generation of songwriters writing in the traditions, most notably Bob Dylan. Bring your instruments and voice to the HOTAfest "Hoot-afest" and be prepared to sing!
  

Instant Musician

Larry Spencer & Gayle Sheets

• All instruments/ people welcomed. Come and join us in singing and playing a number of good ole' songs. See how easy it is to play them. We will teach basic chords and rhythms to these songs and have available rhythm instruments for your use if you prefer to concentrate on singing. You will leave with a packet of songs in your hands and melodies in your hearts.
  

Intro. to Metal Clay

Alice Walkowski

• Create your own piece of fine silver jewlery. This workshop is an introductino to a few basic procedures in working with the amazing medium of metal clay. Learn how to work with, texture, and shape metal clay to make a simple charm or a pair of earrings. After creation, fire you piece with a crem brulee torch and hand burnish for a high shine.
  

Intro. to Ukulele

Drew Danielson

• An introduction to ukulele basics for beginning uke players. Some ukuleles available for those who do not have one to play.
  

Introduction to English Country Dance

Bob Nicholson

• An introduction to the styles of English country dancing.
  

Introduction to Mixed Media Collage

Anita Roby-Lavery

• If you've looked at a collage and thought you could never do that, here's your chance to learn how. Paint, stamp, and paste your way to a 3-D muse. Open to anyone over the age of eight.
  

Introductory Harmonica (In the key of C)

Mike Hogg

• Learn to play simple fiddle tunes on the harmonica. It's easy and it's fun! You'll need only a diatonic harmonica in the key of C, and a willingness to contribute a lot of air. We'll start with "Red Wing" and go from there.
  

Iris Paper Folding

Sharon Reiland

• Iris folding is a fun and easy paper folding technique that can be used to make greeting cards, scrapbook pages, or designs that can be framed and hung on a wall. The technique is called iris folding, because the center of the design resembles the iris of a camera or eye. Iris folding uses any type of easy to fold paper. You start with a numbered pattern, cut out the shape from a piece of card stock and then use a pattern as a guide to the placement of the folded paper. In the workshop each participant will learn the basics of iris paper folding and will make a greeting card that they can take with them. This is a beginners class, no previous experience necessary. Once you learn the technique you can easily do it on your own and move on to other designs.
  

Lead Guitar and Improvisation

Dave Southwick

• This workshop is designed to teach younger musicians (and older ones) to take the lead and play confidently, even when improvising.
  

Lap Dulcimer Basics for Beginners

Barb Nagle

• This workshop offers TLC in the key of D and is ideal for the person who "just came along" and wants to try out some simple music. Several cardboard dulcimers will be available to use as loaners for this workshop and for the weekend. We'll start with the basic strum and add some simple melodies.
  

Leaving the Paper Behind; Leaning to Play by Ear

Don Wisniewski

• Being able to play be ear is much easier than needing paper music to play, so come learn to play easier. Learn to play by ear!
  

Let's Play Autoharp!

Todd Crowley

• The autoharp has been a part of American folk music since the days of the old Carter family. This workshop with provide autoharps to anyone interested in learning these beautiful chording instrument.
  

Macrame - the Art of Knot Tying

Tyler Brenton

• In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of macrame, and create a macrame bracelet to take home with them.
  

Making Music: A Hands-on Experience

Sean Carey

• This workshop would allow oung children to have an opportunity to get hands-on experience with various instruments and have fun learning to make sounds with them.
  

Mandolin Basics

Michael Ludgate

• Got a mandolin that spends too much time in the closet? Bring it to HOTAfest and learn a few basics. We'll learn how to tune and go over some simple chords and picking exercises to build speed. We'll also learn a simple tune if we have time.
  

Mandolin: Beyond Basics

Michael Ludgate

• Got a mandolin that you've noodled on now and then? Want to take it past beginner level? Bring it to HOTAfest and learn a few more basics. We'll go over some chord patterns up the neck and some picking exercises to build speed. We'll also learn a tune if we have time.
  

Mountain Dulcimer: DAA Tuning and Beyond

Jeff Berman

• We will explore the possibilities for playing major and minor chords, in several different inversions, as accompaniment to melodic playing to vocals. We will dig into harmony (the structure of chords), voice leading (moving from one chord to another), and applying these ideas to familiar songs and tunes. It will be helpful to have your instrument strung to accommodate these pitches. Bring a capo for additional chord possibilities.
  

Music and Movement

Sean Carey

• An activity for children to learn how to differentiate different kinds of sounds, and respond physically with movement or action to the different sounds and music they hear.

Next Step in Playing Harmonica

Mike Hogg

• Bending notes and tongue blocking - what's with that? Learn advanced techniques for that extra enhancement in harmonica 'lead' and 'accompaniment'. Bring your C harmonica and your great attitude - what more could you require?
  

Old Time Tunes with Words

Jerry Trusty

• For any instrument, or voice, or both; for all skill levels: Come play and sing some fun, old-time tunes with words. Lyrics will be provided.
  

Old-Time Mandolin

John Lilly

• Mandolin is easy to learn and challenging to master. This participatory workshop will include several traditional fiddle tunes arranged for mandolin as well as various styles of back-up and accompaniment. Learn the "chop," the tremolo, and a few double stops, and some secrets to staying in tune, in time and relaxed.
  

Playing in Front of People

Kerry Grendon

• This workshop is geared to the beginner level. It deals with taking that first step of coming out of your spare room and playing in front of family members and friends. We will discuss the fears involved and figure out why we feel the way we do. I will bring a tune to share and play together and individually for Melody and Chord instruments. Everyone welcome.
  

Playing the Mt. Dulcimer in the Key of C

Larry Spencer and Gayle Sheets

• Do you play the mountain dulcimer in the key of 'D'…DAD tuning…but you sing in the key of 'C'? Come and learn a simple solution to this dilemma. You will learn how to tune down one step so you will be playing in the key of 'D'…but be able to use the sheet music you already have.
  

Playing the Spoons

Gayle Sheets

• Come and have fun playing rhythm with ordinary kitchen spoons. Various rhythm patterns and techniques will be explored and practiced. Bring a pair of spoons from home…I will have a few sets available for those people who use chop sticks to eat with and don't have any spoons at home.
  

Polka Party (Dulcimer)

Barb Nagle

• Come and Join the fun & learn an Irish, German, and, of course, a Polish Polka! We'll learn some basic melodies & then add chords & a few tricks to liven things up. Other instruments are invited to join in.
  

Power Wood Carving (2)

Bill Logan

• 2 hour course to complete a Santa from a ballister with power carving. No artistic talent needed. Step by step instruction. Those who have taken this class before can try another subject.
  

Rock Painting

Holly Gibbons

• Let’s paint rocks! We will have brushes, paint and lots of rocks on hand. We will also have sample painted rocks that you can duplicate, books for you to get ideas from or you can just come up with your own artistic design. Take your painted rocks home with you or plant them at HOTAfest for someone else to find. Open to all ages! Instructors will be on-hand to help. So, what are you waiting for, sign up for rock painting, we guarantee you will have lots of FUN!
  

Rhythm and Groove for All Instruments

Jeff Berman

• This workshop is for anyone who wants to explore and develop skills for incorporating percussion instruments into their musical language, and to broaden the range of their rhythmic vocabulary. Bring instruments you have, and we'll bring some to share.
  

Scottish Songs

Cormorant's Fancy

• Participants will play several Scottish tunes and learn the basics of style, interpretation and ornamentation. Discover not only the air, jig, and reel, but also the 6/8 Scottish march and the strathspey. Music reading is helpful. A recording device is also helpful.
  

Shape Note Hymn Singing (2)

Gerry Hoffman

• Participants sing four part hymns, some written in colonial times. The system of shapes is covered as a means of learning to read musical notation.
  

Shine up those Golden Slippers!

Curt Osgood

• What can you do to make your presentation unique? We will use Golden Slippers (in G) and other favorite tunes as examples to learn ways of building pizzazz into our playing. Rhythmical changes, harmonizing, walking bass runs, chordal weaving, melodic extensions as well as other ways will be utilized and explored as ways to add dynamics and variations into your tunes.
  

Song Writing: Creating the Music

Dave Southwick

• This workshop will look at the different styles of music and how they are combined and used to create the music we listen to today.
  

Songs for Parents and Grandparents

Drew Danielson

• Bring your instrument of choice and learn songs to play with your children and grandchildren.
  

Songs of the War of 1812 (Mt. Dulcimer)

Barb Nagle

• In honor of the 200th Anniversary of Perry's victory in the Battle of Lake Erie, this workshop will present a selection of songs, along with a bit of history, from the Lake Erie era. Other instruments are invited to join in.
  

Sunday Morning Gospel Singing

Peggy Shutes

• Gospel songs in the dulcimer-friendly key of D. Come to sing, play, or listen. For all instruments and skill levels.
  

The Songs of Hank Williams, Sr.

John Lilly

• Hank Williams, Sr., was arguably the most influential singer and composer of folk songs ever to have recorded. The so-called "Hillbilly Shakespeare" created such classics as "Jambalaya," "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." There will be some listening, some history , and plenty of participatory singing.
  

Three Chords And The Truth: An Introduction to Songwriting

Joe Thompson

• With influences such as Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Ryan Adams and Wilco, Joe Thompson is a songwriter and singer who believes in three chords and the truth (whatever the truth may be at the moment.) Whether you are a songwriter, or interested in becoming one, this workshop is an opportunity to learn about all styles of songwriting and the songwriters who inspire us.
  

Try a Strum Stick

Barb Lake Holmer

• Basic instruction of how to get started playing simple songs on the strum stick. Instruments and music will be provided.
  

Trying a Chinese Tune

Mimi Jong

• Bring your instruments to play in an ensemble setting.We will be taking a Chinese folk tune apart, exploring its similarities and differences to western "folk" traditions, and interpreting it in our own way.
  

Ukulele: The Next Step

Drew Danielson

• A look at tunes from various genres to tryout. This workshop is designed to stress different strum patterns to enhance vocal accompaniment
  

Water Colors

Bill Logan

• A painting in one class using watercolors of a barn on a hill.This is for beginner painters and requires no artistic talent.Intermediate painters will enjoy the project as well.We will do the painting step by step with a paint set that you used in grade school.The finished painting is suitable for framing.
  

Yodeling for Everyone

John Lilly

• Learn the elusive art of yodeling in a fun and participatory session. We will learn how to find that "break" in your voice, practice it in several keys, and discuss ways to make it "musical." The emphasis will be on the yodeling styles of Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams.