~ ODPC 2024 Pre-fest Academy ~

New! Pre-fest academy
This year at FunFest Academy, we are offering classes the Monday thru Wednesday before the FunFest. Come to Evart early and take part in the pre-festival classes. Not only are the classes an amazing learning opportunity; the fun, music, and fellowship at the campground in the evening make coming to FunFest early so worth it
Rick Thum’s Beyond A-Z Hammered Dulcimer Workshop
This is the fourth year of my new class called “Beyond A to Z”. It is intended for those of you who have taken the A to Z class and need to go further with it. This class will be a lot of hands on playing. We will take all of the techniques that were taught and put them into your hands by playing. You must have taken the A to Z and have a good grip on my chord positions. This is a class for those willing to take a challenge and make it happen. Lots of trial and error expected with lots of growth and fun. We will be learning to get more expression and feeling into your music.
  • July 11 - 12, 2024
  • Evart United Methodist Church 619 Cherry Street
  • Fee: $185.00
  • Contact: Rick Thum 314-406-0690 rthum@rthum.com to register.
Rick Thum’s A-Z Hammered Dulcimer Workshop
Intensive training workshop for beginning, intermediate and advanced students. This class will start you on your journey to taking your playing to the next level. You will get all of the information to start using your entire dulcimer. This class will teach both music readers and non readers to be able to play and use your entire dulcimer very freely. This class teaches the mechanics of music on your hammered dulcimer.
Dan Levenson Fiddle & Clawhammer Banjo Class
Beginner level skill in the AM. Beginner level is for the person just starting to play the instrument, and those that have been playing for some time but want a refresher on the fundamentals. Intermediate to advanced in the PM. Intermediate/Advanced will focus on more advanced techniques and the development of tunes.
  • July 16 Fiddle class
  • July 17 Clawhammer Banjo class
  • Fee: $125.00 all day session or $75.00 for half day session
  • Contact Dan clawdan1@gmail.com to register.
Mark alan wade - hammered & Mountain dulcimer
Session: 1 9:30 - 10:45 Hammered Dulcimer - novice thru int/adv Warm-Up Routine and Technique Fun! We’ll start our day by getting our hands moving and warming up with techniques that recalibrate your aim and accuracy. I’ll show you easy-to-memorize patterns that cover a lot of range and make it (almost) impossible to miss! Session 2: 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Hammered Dulcimer - novice thru int/adv “It Don’t Mean a Thing” with Swing! In this session we’ll learn a fun and famous “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got that Swing”! This tune just came into Public domain and I’m excited to show you how to swing it and maybe add in some bluesy notes! It’s a great E minor tune that will teach you a lot about the blues! So Fun! For the more advanced among us, I’ll show you how to add the bass line and some twang too! Session 3: 1:15 PM - 2:30 Hammered Dulcimer - novice thru int/adv An Irish Waltz to Melt Your Heart We’ll learn a lovely Gaelic waltz and once you are familiar with the melody, we’ll start adding chords and harmony notes in. Our goal in this class is to play this tune like a harp would play it, but with our hammers! If time allows, we may explore plucking techniques. We’ll see! Session 4: 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM Mountain Dulcimer - all levels Medley of Patriotic Tunes!In this MOUNTAIN Dulcimer workshop, we’ll weave a handful of patriotic American favorites together into a showstopping masterpiece! This arrangement works great for multiple levels because we ALL start with the basic tunes. Then we can start adding in some chords for those that are ready. I can keep showing the more advanced students chord shapes and embellishments while reinforcing and reviewing for the newer player. Come learn these fun tunes with us!
Dave Haas - mountain dulcimer
Track 1: Novice-Intermediate 9:00am-12:00pm $135
Improve your strum and play smoother and faster.Improve your play of slow tunes plucking the strings on-at-a-time (arpeggios)Learn backup chords in several positions and how to accompany others.Discover ways to participate in jam sessions.Learn how to play harmonics and add them to your tunes.Explore playing melodies in the bass and octave regions of the dulcimer.
Track 2: Intermediate-Advanced 1:00-4:00pm $135
Learn to play faster, cleaner, and smoother.Play slow songs with increased clarity and expression.Create 3-4 minute arrangements with introductions, endings, and the melody in different positions on your fretboard.Discover how to incorporate natural and artificial harmonics in your play.Learn chord names and shapes all over the fretboard and how to accompany others.Play melodies and chords in the keys of D, G, A, Am, Em, and C.
  • 3 day workshops held July 15, 16, 17
  • Register at www.davehaasmusic.com for one or both workshops
  • Fee $135 per workshop
Randy Clepper – Accompaniment Instruments – Bouzouki, Guitar, Dulcimers
Irish Accompaniment: How I Do It – All Levels 1:15-2:30pm $45
In addition to technique, I’m often asked in workshops, “How would you accompany __ tune?” (something I like to find out myself when I have the opportunity to get with good players!) I’ll share with you my thought process, tips, do’s and don’t’s. Concepts apply to any and all accompaniment instruments – e.g., guitar, bouzouki, even dulcimers!
Open Clinic Time — Open to any instrument I play (bouzouki, guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin, HD) – All Levels 3:00-4:15pm pay what you want, $15 minimum
Come with your questions on any of these instruments. If few people come, it’ll be like a private or small group lesson! if needed, we’ll divide up the time (via email, sign-up list on the day – stay tuned!).
Brett Ridgeway - Ukulele - Clawhammer Banjo Style
In this one-of-a-kind 2 day workshop, we will be teaching the clawhammer ukulele style! We will start at the very beginning and move slowly through all the techniques, patterns, learn the same songs and have a blast! Expand your horizons and break free from the pack!
  • July 15 & 16
  • Times: 9am-11, 12-2pm, 3-4pm
  • Register at Learning For Life $150
  • Location: Osceola County Fairgrounds
  • A Workbook is included
  • Bring a capo (a banjo or mandolin capo should work)
Lamplighter Cafe 313 w 7th street Evart 231-734-3094Breakfast lunch and dinner served all day. Breakfast buffet Saturdays and Sunday
Pizza
Quilt Shop
Bar & Grill