Swannanoa Gathering Old-Time String Band Weekend Workshop
Sept. 26-27, 2026
Open to all instruments! (fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, etc.)
This engaging course for intermediate musicians, featuring award-winning musicians Sami Braman and Clarke Williams, will form students into bands as they learn how to create a cohesive and dynamic sound together. Students will learn how to contribute to an overall band sound on their respective instruments, examine the nuances of arranging, including how to start and end tunes, and explore the subtleties of musical dynamics, texture, tone, and other techniques. This is a perfect course for those who can already play some tunes on their own, but want to gain more experience playing old-time music with others. Join Sami and Clarke for a fun weekend of learning, connection, and tunes!
Learn more about our instructors below!
Registration includes both days from 9 AM - 3 PM
Price: $260
General Schedule
Saturday
9 AM - Noon: Kickoff and introductions. Group discussions on band dynamics and nuance. Sami and Clarke organize participants into distinct bands. Preliminary jamming and tune sharing.
12 PM - Lunch
1-3 PM: Individual groups rehearse and play together. Instructors rotate among groups to address their sound and discuss general concepts of accent, groove, blending, and creating a cohesive band sound.
Sunday
9 AM - Noon: Instructor demonstrations and listening examples. Discussion of concepts heard on select recordings. Possible band scramble.
1-3 PM : Band showcase of tunes with instructor and peer feedback.
Lunches: Participants may purchase lunch on both days at Warren Wilson College’s excellent buffet-style cafeteria for $12.50 plus tax. Cash and credit cards are accepted.
Click here for nearby lodging options.
Location: Kittredge Music Wing, Warren Wilson College
Parking: Weekends offer ample parking on Warren Wilson College campus, and there is a parking lot adjacent to Kittredge Music Wing.
Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations for a full refund must be requested at least four weeks before the start date of the workshop. Cancellations requested less than four weeks before the start date will receive a 50% refund.
For questions, please contact:
The Swannanoa Gathering Office
[email protected]
Text/Phone: 828-298-3434
Sami Braman has been playing the fiddle since she was 6 years old, coming up amid the music festivals and jamming communities of the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant traditional old-time music scene. A member of The Onlies and a frequent collaborator with Willie Watson, she has performed and taught at festivals like the Swannanoa Gathering, Fiddle Tunes, the Alabama Folk School, MerleFest, Green Mountain Bluegrass Festival, and Pickathon. In 2025, Sami and Willie opened up for Alison Krauss and Union Station on their Summer Arcadia tour. Sami moved to Nashville in 2021 and shortly after recorded and released her first solo album of original tunes, Riveter. She is a buoyant, intuitive, and versatile fiddler who values deep understanding of the stories behind the tunes and seeks inspiration from historically marginalized artists.
Clarke Williams is a multi-instrumentalist based in Asheville, NC. While comfortable in a variety of styles, he has a strong focus on the musical traditions of Western NC. He has won awards and recognition for his fiddle, banjo, and guitar playing at festivals and fiddlers conventions across the Southeast. Clarke has performed nationally and internationally, in bands such as Jenny and the Hog Drovers (with Phil Jamison), the Georgia Horseshoes, and the French Broadcasters. Clarke is an alum of Warren Wilson College (WWC), where he studied traditional music. He currently teaches music at WWC and also with the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) programs in Buncombe, Haywood, and Madison counties. In teaching, Clarke emphasizes developing musical intuition, active listening skills, and group “jam” skills.
Yes, it's okay to send me text messages including order confirmations, updates, event reminders, and event information. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel. View our terms of service & privacy policy.
