The program will feature group lessons in fiddle, banjo and guitar. The classes will meet on Thursdays starting August 29, 2024, 5:45 pm – 7:15 p.m., with a concert on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. Classes will not meet on Forest Festival Week, Thanksgiving Week or Halloween. Your student will have a total of 12 classes.
Rehearsals will take place at the Augusta Heritage Center, 21 3rd Street, Elkins, WV 26241.
Please note that we will have an optional Instrument Fitting Day on Friday, August 23, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. To help everyone get ready for the first day of class, we’re offering an afternoon session where you can pick up your borrowed instrument, have your own instrument checked over if you have one, get help with tuning, discuss your experience level with Augusta staff, etc. This session is optional but encouraged!
**If your student is interested in taking the new Adventure Band Class with Seth Young (for all instruments and singers, grades 6 through 12) in additional to their individual instrument class, please indicate their interest on the registration form. If your student is ONLY interested in the Adventure Band Class, please write to info@augustaartsandculture.org or call 304 637 1209 to let us know about your child’s interest. We will be back in touch with details and information on how to register.**
Price: $240. Scholarships are available which would bring the cost to as low as $80, depending on family need. 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
Adam Casseday grew up in Elkins, West Virginia. He learned to play banjo in order to jam with his grandfather-in-law Vernon Burky who was one of the most revered fiddlers from Helvetia, WV.