Westlake Village, CA — Guitar Center, the world’s largest musical instrument retailer, is providing a new series of free recording workshops aimed at taking the complexity out of home recording. In five accessible “Recording Made Easy” sessions, conducted on an ongoing basis, musicians can take their ideas from basic tracks to finished songs by learning how to use an Apple Computer and GarageBand. The new program is yet another example of Guitar Center’s commitment to educate and inspire musicians nationwide….

Pete Wernick (“Dr. Banjo”) has a goal to introduce as many people as possible to the pleasures of playing bluegrass music with friends, family, and even strangers. Since 1999 he has taught over 1,000 at full-immersion 3- and 4-day Bluegrass Jam Camps across the country. Last year he stepped up his efforts by launching the Wernick Method Bluegrass Network, training and certifying qualified teachers to offer jam classes in their own communities.

The first five completed classes, in Maryland, Wyoming, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, drew an average of 15+ students and received strongly positive student evaluations….

Winfield, KS., — Organizers of the Walnut Valley Festival have begun accepting registrations for the annual Wednesday hands-on workshops held on this year on September 15th in conjunction with the Walnut Valley Festival.

This year students will have eight options for classes to participate in….

In what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for twelve students, two of Bluegrass’ biggest names and former bandmates, Dan Tyminksi and Ronnie Bowman will be joint instructors for a three and a half day intensive “Mentoring Session.” the workshop will be geared towards songwriting, arrangement and production at the much awarded Mast Farm Inn located in Historic Valle Crucis, NC….

Poughkeepsie, NY., — We had a story earlier this month about the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association and a possible workshop with Byron Berline.

Thanks to Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association member Fred Robbins’ legwork, Byron Berline…