Blue Ridge Banjo Camp Archives

Molly Johnson, a 16 year old banjo picker from Pumpkintown, SC, has been announced as the recipient of the 2023 IBMA scholarship to attend Béla Fleck’s Blue Ridge Banjo Camp. Each year the Association pays the tuition for one deserving young player to take part in this camp, which is structured much differently from the typical educational music workshop weekends.

Johnson has been around bluegrass and old time music all her life, and started banjo lessons with the Young Appalachian Musicians program when she was eight years old. Since then private lessons have helped her grow and improve. She has also learned to play old time banjo with the help of her dad, but focuses primarily on the music of Earl Scruggs and Don Reno.

Here is a look at the video she submitted to earn this scholarship.

Of this recent award, Molly tells us…

“I am so excited and grateful for this amazing opportunity. My head was swimming when I first received the news. I’ve heard so many great things about the Blue Ridge Banjo Camp, and I’m really looking forward to learning from these master musicians as well as being around other passionate banjo players. This award from IBMA has provided the ability for me to attend, for which I am very thankful.”

The Camp, which runs August 15-20, is open to all comers, but potential students need to apply and be accepted. Béla wants to make sure that the sort of curriculum he and his staff of all-star faculty present will be of use to attendees before they register. Rather than just focusing on licks and tunes, the BRBC tries to open up the ears of its students, and encourage them to expand the ways they think of banjo music.

Held in Brevard, NC, instructors this year include Tony Trischka, Kristin Scott Benson, Adam Larabee, Greg Liszt, Mark Schatz, and of course, Béla himself.

Here is another video which Molly submitted to IBMA for scholarship consideration.

You can sample more of Molly’s playing at her YouTube channel.

Congratulations Molly Johnson!

Applications are now being accepted to attend the 2022 Blue Ridge Banjo Camp, founded and curated by Béla Fleck. This year’s camp will be held August 17-21 in Brevard, NC.

Fleck will be teaching during the camp, alongside his hand-picked faculty consisting of Tony Trischka, Kristin Scott Benson, and Ryan Cavanaugh.

Unlike most other weekend instructional camps, not all who apply are accepted to attend. Béla and his staff look at the pool of applicants each year, and choose those they feel are most likely to benefit from the experience. There is no application fee, and they only take them from now until March 1, so it is recommended that anyone interested in coming should complete an application soon. Those accepted for registration will be notified shortly after the application period closes.

The Camp is meant for serious intermediate to advanced players, engaged learners eager to listen and learn from such a high-level faculty. Students will be challenged with new skills, but the intent is to “build up banjo players with a holistic approach, an approach that will hopefully have a long-lasting effect on each players’ ability to improve even after the camp is over.”

Registration fees are offered for both resident campers who will stay on site at the Brevard Music Center, as well as rates for commuter/local attendees without the need for accommodations and meals. An option exists for a spouse, parent, or close friend traveling with a camper to receive accommodations and food, and attend sessions with the student.

Béla himself is deeply involved in this venture, and says that he wants to dedicate more of his time to teaching going forward.

“I’ve loved the banjo and the community that surrounds it ever since I first heard it, and started learning to play. The Blue Ridge Banjo Camp is my chance to put together an amazing team of 3 finger banjoist/teachers, to pass along what we’ve each been learning over the years. I’m looking forward to expanding the teaching side of what I do, and thankful to have an amazing venue in which we can share our love, fascination, and curiosity about music and the 5 string banjo.”

Full details on registration fees and an application form can be found on the Blue Ridge Banjo Camp web site.

Tag: Blue Ridge Banjo Camp

Molly Johnson receives IBMA scholarship to Blue Ridge Banjo Camp

Applications open for Béla Fleck’s 2022 Blue Ridge Banjo Camp