Mountain School of Strings

Spring 2023 Overview

Spring 2023 classes start the week of Jan 23rd. Spring activities will include the Rosman Bluegrass Festival and a Spring Recital. Classes are held at TCS Elementary Schools, Brevard Music Center Cohen Building and Grace Brevard.

After exploring our music classes below, if you need help registering or have questions about which class is for you please email Hazel Ketchum (director@mtnsos.org) and she will put you in touch with a teacher!

Classes

Transylvania After School Classes

In our new after school music classes students can choose violin or guitar/ukulele. We have expert teachers that know how to bring joy to music classes. These classes are designed with the beginner in mind so if you have an intermediate or advanced student we recommend our lessons and classes at the Brevard Music Center. Classes are open to students regardless of the ability to pay. We rely on donations for our programs to remain accessible and welcome your support and donations.
Students grades three through five will go to the designated room after school and parents can pick up students at 4 pm in the car rider line.

Rosman Middle & High School — Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM)
Thursdays • 3:15–4:00 pm • Rosman Middle School Media Center & Music Room
Note: The after school classes are now full for the spring session.

Mountain Sun Violin Class — Brevard Music Center
Madelyn Ilana • Mondays • 3:05–3:50 pm • $180

This class, tailored for Mountain Sun School students, is open to continuing students who have taken Violin lessons and those new students who would like to try the violin for the first time. Students will be invited to play parts appropriate to their ability and comfort level. They will learn and practice musical techniques such as rhythm, pitch, and melody, while incorporating musical games, artistic activities and more. In this workshop style class, students will have the opportunity to contribute ideas and suggestions for class curriculum and musical repertoire.

Ukulele — Brevard Music Center
Madelyn Ilana • Mondays • 4:00–4:45 pm • $180

In this ukulele workshop, participants will have the opportunity to practice strumming, finger picking, changing chords, and even singing while playing if you feel ready! We will focus on rhythm as well as melody. Students will have the opportunity to choose songs that we will play together as a group. You can expect to build your musical repertoire in this jam style class.

Intermediate/Advanced Violin — Brevard Music Center
Madelyn Ilana • Mondays • 4:45–5:30 pm • $240

This class is open to students who have been playing violin for a minimum of two years and can demonstrate a reasonable proficiency on the instrument. In this ensemble, students will be invited to play parts appropriate to their ability and comfort level. They will learn and practice musical techniques such as rhythm, pitch, and melody, while incorporating musical games, artistic activities and more. In this workshop style class, students will have the opportunity to contribute ideas and suggestions for class curriculum and musical repertoire.

Cello Techniques — Brevard Music Center
Norm Malenke • Tuesdays • 3:00–3:30 pm • $120

This class is for those who want the primary focus to be placed on learning new skills that will make it possible to play more advanced cello pieces. We will be using a method book that imparts these skills and has exercises and short pieces that incorporate them. Students in this class will see improvement in their overall playing techniques.

Cello 1 — Brevard Music Center
Norm Malenke • Tuesdays • 3:30–4:00 pm • $120

This class is for people of any age having never played the cello and wondering if it's for them. Students will bring their own cello and learn cello basics playing alongside others like them. Focus will be on discovering how to hold the cello and bow and use fingers to play basic notes in the first position. Students will be monitored closely to ensure that proper playing techniques are used. The class will learn simple tunes first by rote and then by reading notes. Once notes are learned, there will be an opportunity to play together with more advanced players where the basic notes for players of this class are combined with the more advanced melodies played by the members of the Cello II class.

Cello 2 — Brevard Music Center
Norm Malenke • Tuesdays • 4–5 pm • $240

This class is a continuation of the class from the 2022 spring semester. Members of that class and others who have the skills learned in that class will bring their own cellos and play various melodies (popular, classical, and otherwise) suitable to the skill sets. Emphasis will be on playing duets and possibly trios where students will be divided into subgroups to play separate parts together. Some new skills will be learned in this class and used in the melodies and countermelodies that are played.

Mountain Laurel Strings — Brevard Music Center
Director Norm Malenke • Tuesdays • 5:30–7:00 pm • Materials & Operation Fee $50

This ensemble learns music for string orchestra (violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, and bass) that is intermediate in difficulty. Pieces of various styles will be rehearsed each time the group meets. Performances will be included as opportunities become available. Players of all ages possessing the following minimum skill requirements are invited to participate: 1) play phrases of music without stopping; 2) count and keep a steady rhythm while playing; and, 3) have at least a good playing knowledge with the first position — third position for violin/viola and fourth position for cello is encouraged.

Fiddle Workshop 1 (Adults and Teens) — Brevard Music Center
Bob Culver • Wednesdays • 5–6 pm • $240

If you play a little bit of violin, but you want to try some fiddle tunes, this is the class for you. Starting with great old time tunes like Angeline the Baker and Old Joe Clark you can learn old time fiddle style in this fun class. The focus is on playing together and improving your skills.

Fiddle 2 (Adults and Teens) — Brevard Music Center
Bob Culver • Wednesdays • 6–7 pm • $240

If you have taken Fiddle Workshop 1 or already play a handful of fiddle tunes then this is the class for you. In this class students will learn more advanced fiddle tunes, techniques and styles. Focus will be on preparing tunes to play for jam sessions.

Slow Jam (Adults and Teens) — Brevard Music Center
Owen Grooms • Thursdays • 5–6 pm • $180

Teens and adults with all strings and old-time instruments are invited to join Owen Grooms for an hour of old time and traditional tunes at a nice easy tempo. If you have been wanting to join in the Western NC traditional jam scene this is a great way to start. This is a friendly jam with guidance and instruction.

Violin 1 — Brevard Academy
Kaleena Dodson • Thursdays • 3:20–4:20 pm • $180

Open to students of all ages, this class is appropriate for beginning violin students and those students who have been taking violin for a year or less. Student will be invited to play parts appropriate to their ability and comfort level. They will learn and practice musical techniques such as rhythm, pitch, and melody, while incorporating musical games, artistic activities and more. In this workshop style class, students will have the opportunity to contribute ideas and suggestions for class curriculum and musical repertoire.

Singing with Madelyn
Madelyn Ilana • Mondays • 5:00–5:45 pm • $180

Madelyn has a new singing class! She invites you to join! Open for ages 10–100, this class offers tools and practices for opening and refining the voice. You'll learn warm ups and vocal games, practice harmonizing, gently expand your vocal range, and learn simple and complex songs!

Private Lessons

Private lessons are offered online or in-person. Meeting times are mutually scheduled between the teacher and students. You can begin at anytime. Payment is made by purchasing Private Lesson Packs, available in a six- or 12-lesson packs. Be sure to indicate your instrument and teacher when registering.

Online 30-minute private lessons are available for students of all ages and playing levels.