Cowan Creek Mountain Music School

It’s a small but close-knit group that gathers here each year—some of the country’s finest old-time musicians, and students of all ages and levels – to celebrate our rich mountain heritage of lively tunes, heart-felt singing, spirited square dancing and storytelling.

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or accomplished musician, eight years old or eighty, you’ll have the opportunity to dig deep into the rich repertoire of Kentucky music and gain experience playing with other musicians.

Mountain music has been passed down through the generations as young learners listened to and played along with their older family members and neighbors. In keeping with this tradition, Cowan is a school for all ages, with classes taught in call and response, rather than written music, improving both your ear for music, and your ability to join other musicians from the get-go!

Won't you join us? This year's camp takes place June 19-23 on Big Cowan Creek in Letcher County, KY.

2017 Faculty

Banjo:
Linda Jean Stokley (Beginning Banjo)
Brett Ratliff (Early Intermediate Banjo)
John Haywood (Intermediate/Advanced: Southeast Kentucky Banjo Styles)
Jimmy McCown (Intermediate/Advanced: Melodic Dropthumb Banjo)

Fiddle:
Erynn Marshall (Beginning Fiddle)
John Harrod (Early Intermediate Fiddle)
Don Rogers (Intermediate Fiddle)
Jamie Wells (Advanced Fiddle)
Jesse Wells ( Advanced Fiddle)

Guitar:
Karly Dawn Milner (Beginning Guitar)
Russell Wright (Intermediate Guitar)
John Schwab (Advanced Guitar)

Old Time String Band:
Sarah Wood

Singing Old and New Songs:
Carla Gover

Storytelling:
Angie DeBord

Upright Bass:
Nate Polly

Kids on the Creek:
Sophie Dansereau, Debra Fields, Amanda Wells