Spring 2025 Folk School JAM Application
All About JAM
  • The Folk School Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) Program is a grant-funded, after-school music program. 
  • Classes are FREE for students ages 12 -18 located in and around Clay/Cherokee counties.
  • Students learn to play and sing traditional Appalachian string band music on guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, ukulele, and upright bass.  
  • JAM teachers are highly qualified musicians who passed rigorous background checks.
  • Lessons are funded by the John C. Campbell Folk School, North Carolina Arts Council (TAPS) Traditional Arts Programming for Students Grant, Wayne C. Henderson Foundation, Individual donations, and the D'Addario Foundation. 
  • Donations are graciously accepted to help grow and sustain the program. 
When: Tuesdays, March 4 to May 27,  4:45 to 6:15 pm (Optional: stay until 6:45 pm for informal jam/practice, or until 8pm for the dance.) Final Concert & Community Dance: Tuesday May 27th at 7 pm.

Where: Davidson Hall - Music Studio, John C. Campbell Folk School, 151 Davidson Ln, Brasstown, NC 28902

Expectations: Applying for the JAM program indicates a student's serious interest in learning to play an instrument or further their skills with focus and commitment.  Lessons are cumulative. Students are expected to attend all classes, arrive on time and be ready to fully participate, and perform in the final concert and dance. Singing and dancing is part of learning this traditional music.

How to Apply:  (Deadline is Mar 1, space is first-come, first-serve) 
  • New students must complete this online form. 
  • Continuing students who have already completed this form may confirm enrollment by emailing Wendy@folkschool.org.  Please note any changes  - such as contact information, instrument you are learning, etc.
Tuesday Schedule: 
4:40 pm Students Arrive at Davidson Music Studio
4:45 pm  Continuing students learn the "tune(s) of the day" while we help beginners tune/get ready 
5:05 pm Beginner instrument-specific instruction breakouts. Continuing students help beginners or learn a new instrument
5:45 pm Group ensemble - All Levels 
6:15 pm Optional Informal circle jam practice, occasionally play for folk school students
6:15 - 6:45 pm Student pick up, unless student is staying for the dance
6:45 pm Break -- good time for a snack! JAM instructors are off duty
7 pm Optional Dance and social in Keith Community Room - Dance and/or play behind the band 
8 - 9 pm Optional Potential for more dancing, open mic calling and acoustic band

Details: 
  • Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle and snacks to feel alert and comfortable.
  • Student drop off is 4:40, pick up is 6:15 - 6:45, or after the dance.
  • Parents are welcome to either stay onsite/observe, or drop off/pick up.  
  • Loaner instruments are available first-come, first-serve.
  • JCCFS may photograph, film, or audio record program participants. Please advise me if you do not give permission. Media may be used incidentally in promotional materials, including posting excerpts on the internet, promoting programs, and/or stored in the Folk School archives. Expressly, any such media possessed by JCCFS will not be sold or marketed.
Additional JAM Participant Benefits: Students ages 16 and older may be eligible to attend folk school classes by participating in the program. Inquire for more details. 

Fall Session "Save the Date": 
The fall session runs Tuesday, September 9 to November 18th. Fall Festival performance is Oct 4 -5. Final Concert & Community Dance is Tuesday Nov 18th at 7 pm. 

We look forward to receiving your spring session application before Mar 1.

Sincerely,

Wendy Graham
Folk School JAM Program Director
wendy@folkschool.org


Sign in to Google to save your progress. Learn more
Email *
Untitled Title
Student Phone number *
Student First Name *
Student Last Name *
Student's preferred pronouns:
How did you hear about Folk School JAM?
Why are you interested in Folk School JAM?
How old are you?
Clear selection
Grade in school *
What school do you attend? Homeschool? *
Which instrument would you like to focus on? *
Do you own an instrument? (If no, we can loan you an instrument, available first-come, first-serve.  Please arrange with Wendy to pick up the instrument and sign a loan agreement). *
Do you have internet access at home? *
Please let us know about any special circumstances, learning, or physical abilities, that require additional assistance. 
Do you self-identify in any of the following categories?  (Optional - this information is kept confidential and only used for grant reporting purposes)
Anything else you want us to know?
Parent/Guardian Contact Information
We will check in with the student's parent/guardian to make sure they support participation in the program.
Parent/Guardian Full Name *
Parent/Guardian Email *
Parent/Guardian Phone Number *
A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.
Submit
Clear form
Never submit passwords through Google Forms.
reCAPTCHA
This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google. - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy

Does this form look suspicious? Report