Evening Mini-Classes, Summer 2026

Cajun Cooking Over Fire with Greg Brown | July 7-10, 2026

Class Description: This is always one of the most popular classes of the summer! Lead by master Cajun cook, Greg Brown, students will learn how to make jambalaya, crawfish, gumbo, and etouffee. Also Greg will be demonstrating how to season and smoke a hog Cajun style!

NOTE: This class runs on a different schedule than the rest of the mini-classes! It will take place earlier in the day (4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and for an additional day (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday AND Friday).

Greg Brown is a Louisiana-based chef and gardener whose passion for Cajun flavor and homegrown ingredients led to the creation of Pop’s Midnight Heat, a family-run hot sauce business rooted in tradition and community. Raised in Richie, Louisiana, Greg was inspired by the gardens of his grandfather, father, and a close neighbor—mentors who helped cultivate his lifelong love of gardening. That love evolved into a culinary venture as Greg began growing a variety of peppers—including habaneros, jalapeños, banana peppers, and scotch bonnets—in his backyard garden. These peppers form the foundation of his small-batch, handcrafted hot sauces. Carefully harvested only at peak ripeness, Brown’s peppers are vacuum-packed and slow-cooked to create bold, distinctive sauces now enjoyed far beyond Louisiana.

Steel Guitar in Country Music with Leon Kasdorf | July 7-9, 2026

Class Description: I’ll be discussing and demonstrating the uses of both non-pedal steel (aka lap steel) as well as pedal steel in various eras and styles of country music. I’ll be teaching basics of both instruments, as well as backing a singer, handy patterns, phrases and intros, kicking off songs, etc.

Leon (aka Lynn) Kasdorf is a very busy Pedal Steel Guitarist in the Washington DC and Baltimore music scene. He does session work and plays with several bands including Arty Hill, Hula Monsters, Oklahoma Twisters, Kiti Gartner, Karen Collins, and several others,Leon has a wide knowledge of classic country music, and has learned the steel kickoffs and solos on most songs in this genre.

Fiddle from Scratch with Walter Hojka | July 7-9, 2026

Class Description: Learn to play the fiddle in this fun and supportive beginner class! If you never played fiddle, or are eager to learn more as a beginning student, this is the class for you. We’ll start with how to hold the instrument, where to put your fingers, and some simple tunes to get you playing right away. By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation and the confidence to keep learning and enjoying the fiddle. Augusta does have some fiddles to lend out for this class. Please reach out to Augusta at info@augustaartsandculture.org or 304 637 1209 to reserve one. 

NOTE: This class is offered Weeks 1, 3 and 5. For any locals who want to sign up for more than one week, Walter will make sure that you grow and learn new things each week. Take all three for a true Beginning Fiddle Bootcamp!

Walter Hojka is a renowned strings educator and musician. He also served as a fiddle teacher for the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago for many years before relocating to West Virginia. He has taught strings in two West Virginia schools, is the founder of the Snowy Mountain Music School in Pendleton County, WV, and performs regularly on fiddle and banjo.

Cajun Dancing with Will Toland | July 7-9, 2026

Class Description: Learn the basics or improve your skills dancing the Cajun Two-Step and Jitterbug, as well as Cajun Waltz styles. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Will Toland originally from New York, has had a love for Cajun and Zydeco dancing for over 45 years. He has spent lots of time in Southern Louisiana as well as attending music camps and festivals all over the United States.

Painting en plein air! with Kylie Proudfoot-Payne | July 14-16, 2026

Class Description: This three-session mini-course focuses on the creation of paintings in the environment for the beginning to advanced painter. The class will focus on trial and error through the process of painting. We will learn as we go while painting outside! With an introduction to the techniques utilized traditionally and non-traditionally in plein air painting participants will discover what works for them. Basic supplies, surfaces, and acrylic paint will be provided although participants may choose to bring their own painting supplies if applicable. 

Notes: Participants are asked to come prepared to work in an outside environment and dress comfortably with layers. Covered accommodations will be provided in case of rain. Be prepared to walk or navigate over uneven surfaces if needed. Accommodations can be made for accessible working environments.  

Kylie Proudfoot-Payne is a painter, teaching artist, and creative explorer from Belington, West Virginia. Kylie’s artist statement: ” I paint light within a landscape on traditional and nontraditional surfaces with acrylic paint. Most often my products are large landscape paintings, installation environments, fabric sculptures or painted costumes. For some projects I integrate tech into the surface of my paintings to further engage the viewer/audience with the painting process. Living in Belington with my family I am often exploring the north central West Virginia area capturing the changing light within the Tygart Valley Watershed. When not creating my own art I am a teaching artist with ArtsBank Inc., a teaching artist residency program in Randolph County. I received a BA in Psychology/Human Services and Art Education from Davis & Elkins college, December 2005.”

Optimizing your Voice: Technique and Performance Practices with Olivia Perske | July 14-16, 2026

Class Description: Are you interested in learning more about singing, including technique and ways to improve your delivery of a song? This is a class designed for beginners as well as seasoned singers, to help you become the best version of your singing self! Olivia’s teaching showcases a deep knowledge of vocal function and anatomy, using a system she created, “The Six Pillars of Vocal Study.” This course is organized in two parts: whole group instruction, and one-on-one master class style application. You will learn about the method as a group and then apply it using songs within your own repertoire. Become a more confident singer, and have a ton of fun doing it! 

Olivia Insani Perske is a singer, teacher, and square dance caller based in Elkins, West Virginia. Olivia was named the 2026 West Virginia Italian Singer of the Year through the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, the same festival where she first experienced folk music in her hometown of Clarksburg. She founded and directs the Voices of Augusta Children’s choir and co-hosts a monthly Community Sing through the internationally-acclaimed Augusta Heritage Center. Olivia’s four-piece Americana band, RhodoGrove, released their first EP, “When the Fog Rolls In” in 2025. You can find her playing all over the eastern US with her Old Time vocal duo, Clara + Olivia. 

Beginning Two-Finger Banjo with Kevin Chesser | July 21-23, 2026

Class description: Two-finger banjo, sometimes called “thumb lead”, is a great starting point for people wanting to learn 5-string banjo from scratch. We’ll start with the basics: how to hold and tune a banjo, proper left and right hand technique, etc. Then we’ll break down some basic thumb & index picking patterns, and use those patterns to put together a very simple tune. Ideal for those with no prior experience, but beginning players are also welcome. Please bring an electronic tuner and a recording device (and your own instrument). Class is taught by ear.

Kevin Chesser is a musician and writer living in Thomas, WV. He performs regularly on banjo & guitar at square dances and community events around the state. In 2016, he took first place in old-time banjo at the WV Open Fiddle & Banjo championship, and has also won prizes for his playing at the Vandalia Gathering & the WV State Folk Festival. 

Fiddle from Scratch with Walter Hojka | July 21-23, 2026

Class Description: Learn to play the fiddle in this fun and supportive beginner class! If you never played fiddle, or are eager to learn more as a beginning student, this is the class for you. We’ll start with how to hold the instrument, where to put your fingers, and some simple tunes to get you playing right away. By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation and the confidence to keep learning and enjoying the fiddle. Augusta does have some fiddles to lend out for this class. Please reach out to Augusta at info@augustaartsandculture.org or 304 637 1209 to reserve one. 

NOTE: This class is offered Weeks 1, 3 and 5. For any locals who want to sign up for more than one week, Walter will make sure that you grow and learn new things each week. Take all three for a true Beginning Fiddle Bootcamp!

Walter Hojka is a renowned strings educator and musician. He also served as a fiddle teacher for the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago for many years before relocating to West Virginia. He has taught strings in two West Virginia schools, is the founder of the Snowy Mountain Music School in Pendleton County, WV, and performs regularly on fiddle and banjo.

Swing Guitar Backup from Scratch Mike Miller | July 21-23, 2026

Class Description: This is a class for players of old-time music who would like to venture into the world of swing guitar but aren’t sure where to start. Swing music is basically the popular music of America from around 1925 to 1950, an era that saw a flowering of clever lyrics, memorable melodies and interesting chords. The songs that have stood the test of time have come to be known as standards, or the Great American Songbook.

Some of the best-known composers of the time are Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, George Gershwin, Dorothy Fields, Johnny Mercer, Fats Waller, Harry Warren, Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen – but there are many others as well. Their songs were popularized by singers like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. The class starts with an easy number like “I Found a Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store),” with chords that should be familiar to most guitar players. Then we add a couple of new chords with “It’s Only a Paper Moon.” After that we’re on to “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” “On a Slow Boat to China” and as many other great songs as time allows.

Mike Miller regularly plays backup guitar for Gerry Milnes and Charlie Walden, the two leading players of the traditional fiddle tunes of West Virginia and Missouri, respectively. After playing mostly old-time and country music for years, he started venturing into the world of swing about 30 years ago, and he can see no end to this particular rabbit hole.  

Banjo from Scratch with Mollie Smith | July 28-30, 2026

Class description: If you’re new to the banjo, a struggling beginner, or even just curious, this class is for you! We’ll cover the basics of how a tune is played in the clawhammer style, and work on learning a well-known tune, with an emphasis on establishing good right-hand technique. The banjo is fun to play, and is great not only for playing old-time tunes, but also for backing up vocals.

About the Instructor: Originally from the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri, Mollie Smith grew up surrounded by old-time and traditional country music. Her music has been influenced by the playing and singing of parents, grandparents, extended family members, and friends from the Ozarks, the Kansas City area, and West Virginia, as well as a host of field and commercial recordings. She has performed solo and in various concert and dance bands, as well having taught numerous banjo workshops and private lessons. Mollie brings to her teaching a great respect for tradition, as well as a recognition of each individual’s personal style; and above all, a love of the banjo!

Beginning Guitar with Seth Maynard | July 28-30, 2026

Class description: Learn the basics of guitar in this 3-day mini-class. Start your guitar journey with basic chords, strumming/accompaniment patterns, fun melodies, and a solid knowledge of the instrument. Discover the foundation to start playing simple songs right away.

About the Instructor: Seth Maynard is a versatile, Berklee-trained guitarist, vocalist, bassist, and music educator with more than 40 years of experience as a performer, teacher, and producer. Logging up to 100 performances annually, he appears regularly on WBOY 12 News’ “304 Today” (Music Mondays), serves as Adjunct Music Faculty at West Virginia Wesleyan College and Davis & Elkins College, and performs as a solo artist, in duos, and with numerous ensembles — including Queen City Funk & Soul, The ’39 Fire house band at Robinson Grand Theater, and The Elk River Ramblers. A dedicated educator, Seth has taught private guitar, bass, voice, and general music lessons for over 35 years, maintains a roster of students ranging from ages 8 to 80, and has partnered with MCG Jazz (Pittsburgh) for nine years to bring jazz education to public schools in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well as teaching through the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, WV. He has released four albums — Osmosis (2010), Make The Season Bright (2012), Christmas Time Is Here (2016), and Duo Primo (2016) — and owns and operates his own recording studio (formerly Lone Wolf Productions, est. 1998). A committed community advocate, Seth regularly performs for local fundraisers and organizations, and leads the praise team at First United Methodist Church in Elkins, WV, reflecting his deep roots in and dedication to the Mountain State music community.

Partner Dancing with Mike Legenthal | July 28-30, 2026

Mike Legenthal has been a full-time student and teacher of blues dancing since 2007. She has taught at events all over the world, from Boston to Milan, and Seoul to Sidney.  A teacher’s teacher, she often serves as head judge, teaches the instructor-training tracks, and pushes dancers to learn more about the roots of the dances and music we love so much. In her dancing, she seeks to be distinctive and creative, and to always drive towards the heart of blues aesthetic and culture.  She immerses herself in the music and in playful, dynamic partnership.  As an instructor, she offers both detailed technical descriptions and imaginative metaphors, to reach a wide range of minds. She is clever and respectful, and hopes to leave her students engaged in nuanced critical thought.

Class Description: Learning to dance is a little bit like learning a language; each dance has its own set of principles, cultural ideas, and vocabulary. But there are a lot of elements that are common across dances, and learning a little bit about those elements can help you dance with so many people to so many different kinds of music. Whether you were born with two left feet, whether you have set roots as a wallflower, or whether you love to dance and simply want to understand why people with different dance backgrounds dance the way they do… this class will have something for everyone! 

Bluegrass Bass with Trish Imbrogno | August 4-6, 2026

Class description: Designed for beginner to intermediate upright bass players, this class focuses on the core skills that make a bass player solid and dependable in a bluegrass setting: tone, timing, and intonation. We’ll also dig into right- and left-hand technique and becoming more comfortable navigating the fingerboard in common bluegrass keys. Through hands-on exercises and jam-focused playing, we’ll build confidence, consistency, and groove in real-world ensemble situations.

About the instructor: After nearly 25 years of orchestral playing, Trish Imbrogno hung up her concert blacks, pulled on a pair of cowboy boots and hasn’t looked back. Her training in Bach, Beethoven and Mozart laid the perfect foundation to tackle the intricate counterpoint of bluegrass music. Trish is well versed in bluegrass, country, and American folk music and has become one of the most highly sought-after upright bassists in the Western Pennsylvania region.

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