The program will feature group lessons in fiddle, banjo and guitar. The classes will meet on Thursdays from Sept 7 through November 16, 5:45 pm – 7:15 pm, with a dress rehearsal on Tuesday, November 28 (4:30 – 5:30 pm) and a concert on Thursday, November 30. Classes will not meet when Randolph County Schools are out of session (Thanksgiving Week or snow days).
Rehearsals will take place at the Old Brick Playhouse, 329 Davis Ave, Elkins, WV 26241.
Price: $240. Scholarships are available which would lower tuition to $80. Apply for a scholarship with the following button:
Meet your instructors!
Fiddle
Jesse Milnes grew up in the world of West Virginia old-time music, learning from masters like Melvin Wine and Ernie Carpenter as well as his father, Gerry Milnes. Jesse regularly plays for square dances around West Virginia and has won many fiddle contests around the state. He is known for his driving rhythm guitar and unique approach to finger-picking. Jesse can be heard around the state playing with his band (the Jesse Milnes Band) playing telecaster and singing original country music.
Guitar
Seth Maynard’s years of training at Berklee College of Music are evident in his skillful and colorful guitar and vocal stylings. He logs as many as 100-150 performances each year at various regional venues. Seth serves as Adjunct Music Faculty at West Virginia Wesleyan College and Davis & Elkins College. He also owns and operates his own recording studio where his recording/producing/performing credits are numerous. Seth has performed nationally and regionally as a solo act, with duo partners, and many other ensembles. Seth has been teaching guitar, bass, voice, and general music lessons privately for more than 35 years, keeping a roster of 8-10 private students ranging from 8 to 74 years old.
Banjo
Kevin Chesser is a multi-instrumentalist and poet living in West Virginia. He’s performed at parties, weddings, senior centers, elementary schools, square dances, and festivals all over Appalachia and the United States, including Wheatland Music Festival, the Rocky Mountain Old Time Music Festival, Nelsonville Music Festival, and others. A two-time winner of the West Virginia Open Banjo Competition, he performs regularly with T-Mart Rounders, and the Laurel Mountain Ramblers.