MUSIC WORKSHOPS

FALL 2025 WORKSHOPS

Bluegrass & Old-Time Jam Etiquette for Beginners with Golden Shoals
Long after the tunes have died down on the stages and in the tents, music still rings out over the hills of Shakori as attendees and performers alike huddle around for campfire jams. Maybe you’ve been an on-looker but never quite felt comfortable pickin’ bluegrass songs with the folks around the fire, but Golden Shoals are here to change that! Join Amy Alvey and Mark Kilianski of Golden Shoals as they introduce attendees to the etiquette of a bluegrass or old-time jam. Learn when to chop, when to solo, or when to take a back seat as Amy and Mark explore the ins and outs of bluegrass and old-time jams. Whether you’re new to jamming or you’re looking to build more confidence in your collaboration, this session will give you all the tools you need to pick and grin with a new set of friends this weekend. Front Porch Stage, 12pm Friday

Banjo & Fiddle Duo Dynamics with Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves
Join powerhouse duo Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves for a deep-dive into the banjo  and fiddle dynamic that drives old-time music. Exploring the interplay between these two stringed instruments, De Groot and Hargreaves will break down how they lock into a groove and trade roles between rhythm and melody throughout their work. These two young roots musicians bring a wealth of experience in their respective instruments, and will serve as excellent educators for how duos can communicate, complement and push each other into unexpected musical territory. From the push & pull of phrasing to the way clawhammer banjo riffs interact with bowing patterns, we’ll dig into a long-running musical conversation that everyone is welcome to join. Front Porch Stage, 2pm Friday

Exploring Garifuna Music with The Garifuna Collective
The musicians of The Garifuna Collective carry the history and soul of Garifuna culture with them across the globe, and they’ve been sharing their pulsing rhythms and captivating melodies with audiences for decades. Join us for an intimate Front Porch Workshop where the acclaimed musicians of The Garifuna Collective spread generations of Afro-Indigenous musical legacy of Belize and Honduras. Guided by the roots of Garifuna people, this collective threads tradition with contemporary elements, presenting their cultural history through a new and exciting lens that will surely excite the GrassRoots attendees in advance of their two sets throughout the weekend!

Discovering Black Music of Coastal Peru with Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet
Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Perú’s African-descended coastal communities with the educational and energetic sounds of the Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet. Alegría and his collective of masterful musicians blend percussive rhythms like festejo, landó and zamacueca with improvisational jazz, producing an enchanting and invigorating result. Through storytelling and performance, Alegría will expound upon the deep legacy of Perú’s African roots with GrassRoots attendees. Whether you’re a percussionist, jazz enthusiast, or just an eager music lover, this Front Porch session with the sextet will be one you won’t forget! Front Porch Stage, 12pm Saturday

Mapping America’s Musical Migrations with Adrian + Meredith
Adrian + Meredith have blended their varying musical backgrounds to craft a unique take on Americana music, one that serves as a pastiche of America’s own musical complexities. With a sound that melds punk, folk, polka, and swing music, Adrian + Meredith are no strangers to the deep diversity of American roots music. From the Mississippi Delta and the Appalachian mountains to the swinging jazz clubs of New Orleans, this workshop explores how movement of people, cultures, and ideas has shaped the sounds of America. Join us for a journey through musical migration that helped lay the foundation for artists just like Adrian + Meredith!  Front Porch Stage, 2:30pm Saturday