Augusta Heritage Center Summer Workshop Series FAQ

General Information

Q: What is the Augusta Heritage Center Summer Workshop Series?
A: The Augusta Heritage Center’s summer workshop series is a renowned series of immersive workshops, concerts, and cultural events celebrating traditional music, arts, and crafts. Each week focuses on a specific heritage or artistic tradition, featuring expert instructors and vibrant community engagement. Learn more!

Q: Where does Augusta’s Summer Workshop Series take place?
A: All events, workshops, and concerts take place on the campus of Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia.

Q: When is Augusta’s Summer Workshop Series?
A: The Augusta Heritage Center Summer Workshop Series will be held in July 2025. Week 1 is July 6-11, Week 2 is July 13-18, and Week 3 is July 20-25. The summer is then wrapped up with the Augusta Festival on July 26.

Q: Are scholarships available?
A: Yes! We offer a robust scholarship program in order to reduce the price of tuition. Scholarships can be applied to the cost of tuition only. To apply for scholarship, click here. We also have a new Volunteer Collective program that allows participants take classes in exchange for volunteering. To learn more about volunteering, click here.

Q: What are the age requirements for Augusta’s Summer Workshop Series?
A: The Augusta Heritage Center’s summer workshops are open to participants aged 5 and older. We offer Folk Arts for Kids for students between the ages of 5 and 11 (during all weeks) and Teen Augusta (during Week 3) for students between the ages of 12 and 17. Our traditional music programming is open to teens between the ages of 12 and 17 (if they are at an adequate skill/maturity level to participate) as well as all adults. Some craft classes have higher minimum age requirements due to the tools being used. All minors below the age of 18 must be accompanied on campus by a chaperone regardless of program.

Q: What is the purpose of the Guest Pass? Who needs to purchase it and what are the benefits?
A: A guess pass costs $100.00 and will get you into all concerts, dances, jams, and cultural sessions during your week of attendance. It is a great way to be part of the Augusta program without taking classes. The guest pass is also a great option for community members who are only interested in evening activities. To register for a guest pass click here.

Workshops and Classes

Q: What types of workshops are offered?
A: Workshops cover a wide range of traditional music including Cajun and Creole, Classic Country, Bluegrass, Vocal, Old-Time, Blues, and various types of dance, craft, foodways, and folklore.. To view the Augusta Heritage Center Summer Workshop Series 2025 course catalog click here!

Q: When do I sign up for classes? How do I know if a class is full?
A: After you have registered you do NOT need to sign up for specific classes. At the beginning of each theme week we host orientation where you will meet all of the instructors and they will introduce themselves and their classes. Many participants are swayed by orientation and choose classes they otherwise may not have been interested in. So essentially if you are registering and are concerned about a class being full you do not need to worry about it. The only exception to this is craft classes. For craft classes you will select the class you are interested in at the time of registration. If a class is sold out, email tyler.w@augustaartsandculture.org to be added to the waitlist. 

Q: How does the class schedule work for theme week classes?
A: All of Augusta’s Summer Theme Weeks are organized in a period model. This means that you can create your daily schedule to study the exact combination of instruments, styles and techniques that is right for you. Most instructors are teaching during 2 of the 4 periods each day, plus participating in jams and dances. You will choose a class during Period 1 and take that same class all week. The same thing goes for Periods 2 and 3 — same class all week. Period 4 has jams and other special events that will change a bit each day. You will end up with three different classes that you are taking all week. Those can all be in one theme week (e.g. Bluegrass) or you can take a class from a different theme week each period (e.g. a Bluegrass class in Period 1, a Vocal class in Period 2, and back to a Bluegrass class in Period 3). We have worked hard to make sure there is a path for every student each day, no matter your instrument or level.

Q: Can I take classes in multiple genres the week I attend?
A: Yes! For example if you register for Week 3 you are able to take classes in both Old-time and Blues.. When you register we just ask that you indicate the genre you are most interested in to help us plan for the summer.

Q: Do I need to have prior experience to participate?
A: Our workshops cater to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced. Each workshop description in the class catalog provides guidance on experience levels.

Q: How do I choose the class level that is best for me?
A: From Scratch – Student has never tried an instrument, craft, or type of dance.
Beginner – Student has a basic knowledge of where the notes are, how to tune, but still needs considerable guidance in how to play. In other words students may know some of the basics but are not yet comfortable playing at the intermediate level.
Intermediate – Student has a moderate repertoire of tunes and plays with ease at normal speed.
Advanced – Student has extensive experience and is able to concentrate solely on the subtleties of style and expanding their repertoire.

Q: How do I register for a workshop?
A: Registration is available online through the Augusta Heritage Center website. To register click here.

Q: Are instruments provided for music workshops?
A: Participants are generally expected to bring their own instruments. However, we do have a limited number of instruments available to borrow. Reach out ahead of time to see if we have any availability. Email info@augustaartsandculture.org or call 304-637-1209

Q: How do I register for Mini-classes?
A: Mini-classes aren’t announced yet. When they are announced they will be added to the course catalog and we will send out an email and a Facebook post.

Housing & meals

Q: Is on-campus housing available?
A: Yes, participants can stay on-campus in Davis & Elkins College dormitories for an additional fee or they can choose off-campus lodging options in Elkins and surrounding areas. We know many of you are eager to secure your housing and meal plans for Augusta 2025! This year, Davis & Elkins College will be handling all housing and meal sales. While they are working hard to get their registration system up and running, it isn’t quite ready yet—but it will be soon! As soon as D&E finalizes their system, they will provide us with the registration link, and we’ll share it right away. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and understanding as they finalize their process. Stay tuned—we’ll send out an update as soon as the link is live!

Q: Can I choose to stay off-campus?
A: Yes, there are many nice off campus housing options. Here are some helpful links:

• The Tygart Hotel
• The Holiday Inn
• Wingate by Wyndham (Isaac Jackson)
• Graceland Inn & Conference Center: (304) 637-1600

Q: Are meals included?
A: Meal plans are available for purchase through Davis and Elkins College which provides access to the campus dining hall. There are also local restaurants and grocery stores nearby. More information about Meals plans will be available soon!

Concerts and Public Events

Q: Are there evening concerts and dances?
A: Yes! Each week features evening concerts, dances, and jam sessions that are open to participants and the public. Our instructor concerts are scheduled for the Tuesday and Thursday of each week (In 2025, July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22 and 24). Check out our Events Page for more details on the schedule of public dances and other events.

Q: Do I need to buy tickets for concerts and dances in advance?
A: No, we do not sell tickets in advance for our concerts and dances. All tickets are sold at the door. Check out the Events Page to see upcoming concerts and dances and the price of admission.

Travel and Accessibility

Q: What is the closest airport to Elkins, WV?
A: The nearest major airport is in Pittsburgh, PA (approximately 2.5 hours away). There is also a smaller regional airport in Clarksburg (North Central West Virginia Airport, approximately 1 hour away) and Washington Dulles International Airport, approximately 3.5 hours away. Augusta cannot provide shuttle service or organize car pooling. If you are interested in carpooling we advise that you post in the Augusta Facebook group Augusta: Learn – Create – Connect

Q: Is the campus accessible for individuals with mobility concerns?
A: Davis & Elkins College is a historic campus, so not all building adhere to modern ADA regulations. However, with advance notice, we can schedule classes to be held in accessible locations. We will be running campus shuttle services in 2025 but we recommend contacting us in advance to discuss specific needs and accommodations. Please call 304-637-1209 ext. 2. Please leave a message and we will get back to you ASAP.