John C. Campbell Folk School
Where in the world can you learn to build your own traditional mountain banjo or dulcimer one week, and then return to get some lessons on your new favorite instrument? That place is the John C. Campbell Folk School.
Nestled in Brasstown, North Carolina, on 380 acres in a rolling valley near the border with Georgia, the Folk School offers visitors a chance to experience a special blend of history, art, dance, music making, and natural beauty against the inspirational backdrop of the Western North Carolina mountains.
The Folk School was founded in 1925, taking as its model the Danish concept of the “folkehøjskole.” The idea of John C. Campbell and his wife Olive Dame Campbell was to improve the quality of life in the area through arts and crafts education and to preserve and share with the rest of the world the techniques and tools that the mountain people used in every day life.
Today, The John C. Campbell Folk School offers a unique combination of arts and crafts classes and instruction, rich history, and natural splendor in an atmosphere of communal living and lifelong learning
At the Folk School, students learn by doing, each at their own pace. Small classes allow instructors ample time to work with individuals. Every afternoon, students are given an opportunity to explore local art and culture and to visit the shops and studios of area artisans.
There’s plenty of opportunity for adult music makers to learn new skills or brush up on technique. Craft-minded musicians can learn to make their own dulcimer or banjo. There are also beginner classes for playing harmonica, bagpipes, Autoharp, fiddle, and more, along with those to learn how to play a variety of folk music styles, including Native American flute, clawhammer banjo, flatpicking guitar, and shape note singing.
The Folk School offers a unique opportunity to combine your music making hobby with other hobbies. The list of arts and craft classes includes everything from basketry and blacksmithing to weaving and woodturning.
Courses at the Folk School run all year round. Different types of lodging are available, including an RV campground, dorms, or private rooms. For more information, visit www.folkschool.org.
