Workshops for 2026, so far, at least. We have some extraordinary presenters…
Women and Appalachian Old-Time Music
Suzanne Diprose
Step into the rich storytelling tradition of women and Appalachian Old-Time music with Suzanne Diprose of Oh Suzannah.
Through four powerful songs Suzanne explores the lives, struggles, resilience, and voices of Appalachian women whose stories have been carried through generations of song. Discover the fascinating histories behind the music — from textile workers and mountain communities to pioneering songwriters Hedy West, Ola Belle Reed and Hazel Dickens.
The workshop features live performance, historical storytelling, the stories behind the songs and celebration of women’s voices in Old-Time music.
It will be an inspiring journey through the songs that preserved the experiences of ordinary women and shaped the traditions we continue to enjoy today. All welcome — no musical experience required.
Three Finger Banjo
Peter Somerville
Three finger style for old time tunes is often overlooked but it sounds great!
Peter will be teaching a couple of easy tunes by ear, basic melody and embellishment options.
Good for beginners and more advanced.
The Banjo Curiosity Shop Continues…
Chris Ryan
A stringed instrument enthusiast and one of the founders of the Jamboree, Chris this year will be showing and playing comparisons between various banjo forms and other stringed instruments, as well as demonstrating some frailing and finger-picking techniques on the 5-string banjo.
Compare the banjo mandolin and the mandolin, the banjo ukulele and the ukulele, the 6-string banjo and the guitar, the tenor (4-string) banjo and the mandolin, the Shamisen (Japanese 3-stringed “banjo”) and the dulcimer.
Tunes will include “Skip to my Lou” in C and “When the Saints” in G. Listen, view, try or bring your own.
Scruggs / Melodic Banjo
Jim Golding
The legendary Jim Golding, renowned banjo meister from Coolgrass, pushes boundaries with bebop, rock’n roll, bossa, and Mozart-inspired banjo styles, while delivering stellar bluegrass breaks.
A sought-after workshop presenter, Jim has appeared as a performer and workshop presenter at festivals nationwide.
Expect the unexpected at Jim’s banjo workshop on Saturday morning, where he will share his vast knowledge, experience and wit.
Also catch him performing with The Bluegrass Remnants at the Saturday night concert.
Old Time Clawhammer banjo
Ian Alexander
(That’s him on the right!)
The workshop will be at the intermediate level. Participants should bring a banjo, a capo, and a tuner.
I will be teaching a tune and using the tune to show various techniques, and perhaps diverge from there with questions.
Tune your banjo in standard banjo G tuning initially.
Online materials will be available to download.
Irish Tenor Banjo; Guitar Backing – How to Support Your Banjo Player
Tony O’Rourke – two workshops
Tony O’Rourke plays traditional Irish music on tenor banjo (GDAE) and has published a number of tune books of Irish music. He has conducted workshops both in Australia and Ireland and is often seen at one of the many impromptu music sessions at the Jamboree. He will be hosting two workshops – not to be missed!
All participants at workshops will receive a booklet and CD of the music to be studied at the workshop. (Very generous, Tony ([Ed.])
Irish Tenor Banjo
In this workshop the tunes we’ll be looking at are the reel Music In The Glen, a jig called The Stonemason composed by one of my favourite banjo players, Kevin Griffin, a slip jig, Drops Of Brandy, a polka from Co. Cork, The Cuil Aodh, and a hornpipe composed by piano accordionist Pat Crowley with the very Irish sounding name the Harp and The Shamrock, apparently the name of a pub owned by Crowley’s parents in Kinsale.
Guitar Backing – How to Support your Banjo Player
For this workshop I’ve selected for study two reels, one an Irish tune, Sally Gardens, and the other an American Old Timey/Bluegrass tune, Bill Cheatham. These are two common tunes in their respective genres. For the jig I’ve chosen one of my all time favourites, a tune titled A Thousand Farewells. This tune was composed by Tipperary fiddler Seán Ryan(1919-1985). The much maligned John Ryan’s is my choice for a polka. This is often referred to in Australia as Forty Pound Float. For this tune I’ve removed the irritating double thump at the beginning of the tune and treated it just as I would for any other Kerry polka. For the waltz I’ll be using a tune composed by Jay Ungar called Ashokan Farewell, composed around 1982. I’ve created separate pages for the backing and the melody for those of you wishing to study both.
Irish Session
Anthony McTigue
Anthony McTigue grew up in County Clare, Ireland, where his love of traditional Irish music began after attending a Wolfe Tones concert with his father at age eight.
He took up the Irish tenor banjo at 15 and learned from musicians including Paddy Commane and Frank Custy.
Since moving to Australia in 2012, he has become a regular at Irish sessions and folk festivals across Victoria.
Clogging
Belinda Gibson
What is clogging you may ask? Clogging is a folk dance, that originated in the Appalachian Mountains of America. Clogging is infectious and fun. It’s percussive, and you don’t need a partner. Come to my very basic workshop, and bust a few moves on the floor with me. Footwear required is a shoe not thongs or bare trotters! We will have live musos to keep us on track.