Banjo Private Lessons

Jason Stewart

Bluegrass Banjo

Teaches at Dusty Strings: Tuesday a.m.—early eve.

Ages Taught: 8 - Adult

Levels Taught: All

Teacher Biography: Jason Stewart’s musical experience has included performing on the Grand Ole Opry and performing and recording with Jim Lauderdale. He also was a sideman with James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers. Currently he performs locally with Prairie Flyer and Dysfunction Junction. Jason focuses mainly on the three-finger picking style. He will help you work towards your goals for the banjo, taking time to be sure you are familiar and comfortable with the instrument. He believes that the right hand is really important for beginners and experienced players alike, and takes care to break down the mechanics and discuss proper hand positioning to make sure things work smoothly.

Allen Hart

Old Time Banjo

Teaches at Dusty Strings:
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

Ages taught: All Ages

Levels taught: Beginning to Advanced

Teacher Biography: Allen grew up in a musical family who regularly participated in barn dances and music gatherings. Ever since his father taught him his first tune on the banjo in 1957, Allen has been on a quest to meet and learn from as many old-time banjo players as possible. He plays and teaches old-time banjo in a variety of styles, including clawhammer, drop-thumb, stroke style, two-finger picking, up picking, and old-time three finger (pre-Earl Scruggs). He currently plays in two bands: Al Hart and his Wild Cats, and also with Phil and Vivian Williams. Allen finds that banjo players take a variety of stylistic approaches to a particular tune, and he encourages his students to find their own sound too.

Dave Keenan

Banjo (Bluegrass)
Guitar (Including electric)

Teaches at Dusty Strings: Saturday, Sunday

Ages Taught: 10 - Adult

Under 10 taken provisionally

Levels Taught: All

Teacher Biography: Dave Keenan got his start at the age of 8 when his dad taught him to play ukelele. He soon picked up all the instruments around the house, eventually studying Scruggs-style banjo at age 13, and started teaching at age 17. Dave is a busy music camp instructor, teaching guitar, mandolin, and banjo at several each summer. He plays in many bands in Seattle -The Downtown Mountain Boys, Jo Miller, and many other 'Roots' bands. Always twangy and tasty. He teaches Bluegrass style banjo and twangy guitar at Dusty Strings. "Why do I teach? I believe in teaching and love to help people!" www.davekeenan.com

Laurie Riley

Clawhammer Banjo, Harp, Guitar, Bodhrán, Voice

Teaches at Dusty Strings: Saturdays

Ages Taught: All

Levels Taught: All

Teacher Biography: Laurie is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and songwriter; her repertoire is drawn from many cultures and eras. Laurie has played harp with the Chieftains, sung with the Masterwork Chorus at Avery Fisher Hall, and been featured on American Airlines in-flight music and on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered”. For the old players of the Appalachian mountains, playing is used for both vocal accompaniment and soloing. Laurie teaches in the traditional way: by ear. She respects individual students’ different needs and wishes while making sure basic techniques and skills are learned and mastered so that the maximum amount of progress can be made.