Welcoming All Acoustic Musicians!

Fiddleheads Jam Camp: A Three-Day Camp Held Each September

Join Us for Music, Learning and Fun!

2024 Featured Coaches Ellery Klein & Alex Rubin!

Ellery is an in-demand fiddle teacher in the Boston area, with a studio of over 25 youth and adults in Medford and Belmont. She founded and directs Powers Music School's week-long youth summer camp, "Strings Traditions;" been a repeat instructor at Fiddle Hell, and has also taught at Spanish Peaks Celtic Fest, Blás, the Boston Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann school, and online Irish music weekend, "Fiddle Frenzy." She also runs a monthly Irish music learners' session in Belmont. Ellery currently performs with the triple-fiddle quintet festival band, The Bow Tides, as well as the New England-based Irish trio Fódhla with flute player Nicole Rabata and guitarist Bethany Waickman. From 2003-2007, she fiddled with the acclaimed Irish band Gaelic Storm. In 2001, Ellery received her M.A. in Traditional Irish Music at University of Limerick's Irish World Music Centre, and is a proud alumna of Cincinnati, Ohio's public magnet high school, the School for Creative and Performing Arts. When she's not teaching fiddling, she can often be found advocating for safer streets and more cycling and walking.

A member of the April Verch Band from 2016-2020, Alex has toured extensively both at home and internationally, including performances in 49 states and abroad. Alex developed a love for acoustic and traditional music while attending Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Graduating with a degree in Neurobiology in 2011, Alex returned to the vibrant Boston music scene, studying privately with Berklee School of Music's ineffable John McGann. Since then, Alex has performed around the world on distinguished stages including at Merlfest, Australia's National Folk Festival, Estonia's Viljandi Folk Festival, Kaustinen Folk Festival in Finland, the Vancouver Island Musicfest and more. Alex is also the winner of the 2022 Freshgrass Guitar Competition. Currently, Alex lives in Cambridge, MA and is working on a solo acoustic guitar record.

About Jam Camp

The focus of Fiddleheads Acoustic Jam Camp is to teach and inspire musicians to play with each other in various styles - both singing and instrumental - and to experience playing in a band setting. Held each year in September, Jam Camp features hours of jams, workshops and concerts throughout the weekend. Campers form bands of various styles, work up and arrange a song together, and perform in an energy-filled Saturday evening concert. Jam Camp offers guided jams with focus on jamming essentials and techniques - hearing chords, backup, playing in different styles, soloing and having fun! Coaches and Campers jam in various styles Friday and Saturday evenings and often continue into the late night. From blues to bluegrass, jigs to jazz, cajun to country and more! We hire top-notch coaches who are not only amazing musicians but who are also great teachers! Coach Info

 

Celia Woodsmith was our 2023 Featured Guest Coach!

What's not to love about Fiddleheads Jam Camp? The location is gorgeous, the instructors are invested, and the students come ready to put their all into the classes. The variety of interesting workshops makes it hard to choose, and the focus on jamming in the after-hours is prime for making memories and new friends. The community was supportive and creative, and I certainly felt fortunate to be a part of it!

- Celia Woodsmith, featured coach 2023

Banjo Master Tony Trischka was our 2022 Featured Guest Coach!

Tony Trischka
Tony Trischka

“I had the best time at Fiddleheads Acoustic Jam Camp! The location is way off the beaten path, which allowed for a total focus on the music. The best thing was that the focus was on the students and not the teachers, everybody got to jam and perform. Ellen and Melissa were relaxed but totally on top of all the details and the food was definitely above average! I highly recommend this wonderful weekend!”

-Tony Trischka, featured coach 2022