Ethan Wagoner on a Zoom class for the Junior Appalachian Musicians program.
With one semester of virtual learning under their belt, the Yadkin Arts Council is bringing its Junior Appalachian Musician Program back starting this January. The semester will feature mandolin, guitar, and banjo lessons with the hopes of a hybrid virtual/in-person class structure.
This after-school program, which is funded by the North Carolina Arts Council, not only teaches students how to play a Bluegrass instrument, but it actively engages and inspires pride and interest in the students learning about their own heritage and provides a community where they can come learn in a healthy community and form bonds with students they might not meet otherwise.
The Arts Council will continue to host two sessions a week for this semester’s classes. At the start of the semester, one session will be strictly lesson based where students will be in their own classes Zoom with their respective teacher and skill-level, and then the second session will feature group activities where all of the students will come together and learn, chat, and play games all at the same time to give a sense of community and give students an opportunity to interact face to face which is an interaction many have be deprived of since the middle of last March. The hope is that students will be back in person by the middle of the semester, but the reality of that opportunity remains unknown. This will be another unique semester, but the Yadkin Arts Council staff and Junior Appalachian Musician Staff are committed to keeping this program viable to ensure its continued success.
Classes will be on Tuesdays beginning Jan. 26 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $37.50 for the semester, a 50 percent discount from the normal tuition.
For more information or to register, call 336-679-2941 or email Erika@yadkinarts.org.