Butch Ross, a recent addition to the teaching staff at the MACC, is holding two week-long workshops at the center this summer. One focused on the ukulele is set for Monday-Friday, June 16-20 from 5:45-6:45 p.m. each day. Another concentrating on the mountain dulcimer is planned for Monday-Friday, July 7-11 from 5:45-6:45 each day.
Ross, a full-time musician since 2008, recently began teaching private guitar, ukulele and mountain dulcimer lessons at the MACC. He has been teaching for the last decade at various dulcimer and ukulele festivals around the country, he said.
An instrument is required for Ukulele Boot Camp, which is intended for beginners age 12 and older. Participants will learn chords and how to strum as well as how to figure out tunes on their own.
“It’s everything you need to know to get started,” Ross said.
His Mountain Dulcimer Rhythm Workshop is designed for all levels of players. Participants will form a solid rhythmic foundation by learning basic strumming techniques. More advanced rhythms will be explored, as well as syncopation and odd time signatures.
The cost for each workshop is $125 for MACC members and $140 for nonmembers.