PattyFest Workshop Schedule

No cost (with admission) and no pre-registration!

Please check near the festival entrance for workshop rooms and last-minute changes.

Possibly subject to change.

Saturday June 6, 2026
Time	Instructor	Workshop	Description
9:30 am–10:45 am	Wally Venable	Lap Dulcimer — Beginner	DAA Tuning No previous music background required. Short history of mountain dulcimer followed by learning to play several simple songs. Dulcimers available for loan during class. Topics to include holding the instrument, strumming and picking, and reading simple tabs.
9:30 am–10:45 am	Leigh Ann Hood	Fiddle — Beginner
9:30 am–10:45 am	Jimmy Robbins	Claw Hammer Banjo — Intermediate	Learn right hand clawhammer stroke in slow step by step process
9:30 am–10:45 am	Bill Schilling	Singing / All Instruments — Semiquincentennial (America250) Song Celebration	We will sing and play some songs that were sung in 1776, some patriotic songs from throughout the years, and some songs from early American wars. Lyrics and music and/or chords will be provided for several songs.
11:00 am–12:15 pm	Jeff Fedan	Spoons	Spoons are for more than eating with. If you tap your feet when you play, why not do something with your hands too? Spoons add a special flavor to up-beat, old-time tunes and are easy to play. Some (mostly me) have suggested that spoons are (is?) the most important part of any old-time band. If you can clap your hands, you can play the spoons. Funny, no one uses forks or knives in a band!
11:00 am–12:15 pm	Ann Burns	Shopping For A Lap Dulcimer	Whether you're thinking of buying your first dulcimer or already playing and ready for an upgrade, join us to review the basics of what to look for and what to avoid, get some dulcimer finding tips and compare several brands of mountain dulcimers including McSpadden, Folkcraft, Folkroots, and Cripple Creek.
11:00 am–12:15 pm	Jean Van Erem	Native American Flute	In this class we will explore Getting started: breath, hands, and posture Understanding the Native American flute minor scale Playing with other Native American flutes Buying a flute and flute care Instruction will focus on flutes in A minor.
11:00 am–12:15 pm	Randall Hacker	Guitar — Beginner
12:30 pm–1:45 pm	Louanna Moore	Lap Dulcimer Gospel Tunes, Carter Family	This will be a repertoire class. We will learn some gospel tunes from the Carter Family, including: When this Evening Sun Goes Down, Wayworn Traveler, No Depression in Heaven and more. Tab will be provided in both DAA and DAD. The class will be taught from and for the Mountain Dulcimer, but all instruments are welcome.
12:30 pm–1:45 pm	Jeff Fedan	Hammered Dulcimer — Intermediate Tunes of N. Central WV	Maybe there’s one or two West Virginia tunes you don’t know yet. Let’s learn a few and think about ways to embellish them. Be brave!
12:30 pm–1:45 pm	Jacob Lambert	Jamming 101	All instruments and skill levels — Learn the basics to fitting into an old-time jam. Practical chord identification, tune structure, common melody patterns and practice/tune learning resources.
2:00 pm–3:15 pm	Louanna Moore	Lap Dulcimer — Advanced Beginner and Up Aeolian Mode	We will learn to play some minor key tunes, the way the old folks did. We will change the tuning of the melody string. We will play tunes such as Shady Grove and Greensleeves. It’s easier than you think. Try it, I think you will like it!
2:00 pm–3:15 pm	Donna Weems	Vocal Workshop — Songs of the Carter Family	We will sing some of the Carter Family’s most beloved songs and see why these songs were such a hit and still sung today. Harmonies are welcome.
2:00 pm–3:15 pm	Judy Werner	Honor Session — Patty Looman	Share some memories and stories about Patty. Bring an instrument and learn some of Patty’s songs.
2:00 pm–3:15 pm	Luther Michael	Harmonica — Beginner Key of C	Harmonicas in key of C will be available for sale
3:30 pm–4:45 pm	Brian Conaway	Fiddle — Intermediate
3:30 pm–4:45 pm	Bill Schilling	Singing / All Instruments — Ohio Murder Ballads	Bill will share his interpretations of songs and their backgrounds based on material found in Curt Dalton’s 2023 book, “Murder Ballads from 19th Century Ohio,” and from Bill’s internet research about tunes for those ballads.
3:30 pm–4:45 pm	Alicia Kime	Bowed Psaltery	All levels. Psalteries are available to borrow for the class
3:30 pm–4:45 pm	Judy Werner	Tin Whistle — Advanced Beginner and Up Key of D	Learn some resources for obtaining whistle tabs. Learn some Irish and non-Irish songs in order to extend your whistle music.
3:30 pm–4:45 pm	Tom Davello & Annick Odom	Rhythm Guitar and Bass — Intermediate

Thank you to our workshop leaders for volunteering their time and talents to make this festival great!