Kids on Bluegrass

For more than 10 years, we have brought traditional music to younger generations in schools through a series of square dance workshops during festival week. This year we are expanding our youth outreach with Kids on Bluegrass, two mentored youth jams where kids can learn simple tunes and play them on the main stage in a band with their peers on Sunday afternoon.

Two youth jam/workshops will hosted by some wonderful adults with experience in instructing kids and youth including Miriam Sonstenes, Jeff Dill, Leah Gardner and others. Young participants should be ages 8 to 15 and have basic skills on an acoustic instrument (guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, bass).  We will hopefully have an Instrument Petting Zoo on site as well.

This program is inspired by the fantastic Kids on Bluegrass California, which was started 35 years ago by the California Bluegrass Association and has produced internationally touring and Grammy-winning artists including Molly Tuttle, Alex Hargreaves, AJ Lee, members of past festival bands Sweet Sally and Crying Uncle, and many more. The California program has expanded to Kids on Bluegrass Europe and to the International Bluegrass Music Association (U.S.)

Parents of younger participants are encouraged to attend and will be asked to sign a consent form with a photo waiver and their contact information. Those 17 and under are admitted free to the festival with a aid adult. Under 17s will have special wristbands with an adult contact number. Youth safety is a priority for us.  If you are a parent seeking more info you can contact us at bookings[at)cowichanbluegrass.com.