LESSONS
(Scroll Down to Learn More About Our Teachers)
Instruments We Teach:
* Guitar * Banjo * Violin/Fiddle *
* Ukulele * Mandolin * Voice *
Adults and Children * Beginners through Advanced
We have been offering lessons here at Bucks County Folk Music since we opened in 1966 and, from the beginning, we have had instructors that not only know how to play well, but also know how to teach well.
Our lessons are tailored to each individual student and we do not use "cookie cutter" approaches. Our teachers will talk with you and work to develop lessons based on what you wish to learn and what will work best to get you there. You will learn more quickly and, more importantly, with more enjoyment.
As your lessons continue, you and your teacher will continue to collaborate on your progress and your goals.
Please Contact Us to learn more or to sign up to begin your lessons.
Meet Our Teachers:
Christy B. - Guitar, Ukulele, Voice
Christy teaches Fingerpick, Flatpick, Folk, and Christian Worship Guitar for Beginner and Intermediate Students; Beginner and Intermediate Ukulele; and All Levels of Voice.
Christy has her BA in music from Kutztown University. She has been teaching since 2002 in tandem with a successful career as a singer / songwriter. From 2002 – 2012 she toured domestically and abroad and professionally recorded six collections of mostly original music, all released under her own record label. In more recent years, Christy has cut back on touring and recording to focus on family. She enjoys singing with and supporting the worship team at her church, making music with her own young children, and inspiring her students. You are invited to view Christy’s website at: www.christyjefferson.com to learn more.
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Bob D. - Guitar
Bob teaches Flatpick, Folk, Bluegrass, Jazz, and Classical Guitar for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Students.
Bob has been a guitar teacher with us since the 1970s. He holds a bachelor's degree in music from Arcadia University and is working toward his master’s degree in music history through West Chester University. In addition to teaching here at our shop he also has conducted advanced guitar classes at Arcadia University. Former president of the Bucks County Folk Song Society, Bob has been the lead guitarist for the Bluegrass group Gentle Countrymen and the rock trio Nite Life. Bob is also in great demand as a classical guitarist and can be found performing at many museum, library, and society events.
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Federico B. - Fiddle/Violin, DADGAD (Celtic) Guitar
Federico teaches Fiddle/Violin and DADGAD (Celtic) Guitar for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Students
Federico grew up in Milan, Italy and began playing classical violin as a child. In his late teens he first heard traditional Irish music and fell in love with it. In 1999, after touring with Italian band Inis Fáil and teaching fiddle at festival workshops for five years, he moved to Ireland to pursue his passion. Federico immersed himself in the Galway trad music scene, learning from a range of fiddle players and traveling to trad festivals all over the country. Living in Ireland, he learned to teach Irish music in the traditional style, encouraging students to play by ear and to have fun!
While in Ireland he also began listening to guitar played in DADGAD tuning and was captivated by the sound. He started teaching himself in earnest. In 2009 he co-founded the Galway band Sumbrellas which played a mix of Americana and Irish music in and around Ireland, also touring in Italy, Germany, and the U.S.A. The band was featured playing one of their original songs in the first episode of Jack Taylor, an Irish television series now on Netflix. In 2010 Federico began teaching fiddle at the Galway City branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. His favorite aspect of teaching is helping his students find their own unique voice within the rooted music tradition.
In 2017 Federico moved with his wife and four children to Chalfont, Pennsylvania where, to his delight, he found a vibrant music scene and felt right at home. He firmly planted himself in the Philadelphia Irish music community, co-founding Maggie's Boots and joining Poor Man's Gambit, both trad Irish bands.
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Bob S. - Bluegrass Banjo
Bob teaches Scruggs and Melodic Styles on the 5-String Banjo for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Students.
Bob started teaching banjo for us way back in 1987 and is still going strong! Bob believes anyone can learn to play banjo simply by taking small steps, having patience and playing slowly. He is currently with the bluegrass group Hilltown (not to be confused with the town) and has performed multiple times at A.F.B.A. Festival, NEPA Bluegrass Festival, O.A.T.S. Bluegrass festival and at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Dave R. - Clawhammer Banjo
Dave teaches clawhammer banjo for Beginner and Intermediate Students.
In 1963 Dave had the good fortune of meeting Tex and Bob (Red) Roberts at a neighbor's picnic. It was the first time Dave ever laid eyes on a banjo.
At the time, Dave had an old Sears guitar so Tex showed him a few chords, and Dave was off playing guitar. But it was the banjo that fascinated him. It took quite a few years (and the great "folk scare" of the Sixties) before Dave actually held a banjo, but once he did - there was no looking back.
Watching and learning from folks like Pete Seeger, Michael Cooney, and Karl Dieterichs got the ball rolling.
Dave believes all you need is an honest desire, a banjo, and time to practice.
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