Golden Toad Camp class structuring:

There are 6 designated class periods each of the four full days of camp, Thursday through Sunday. The classes start at 10:00am and finish at 7:15pm. Each class period is 1hour and 15 minutes in length, although some classes may end after only 1 hour. There are 15 minutes of unscheduled time between classes, and 45 minutes of unscheduled time mid-day for lunch (although lunch service starts and ends before and after that 45 minute designated down time).

You do not need to sign up for classes, and can change your mind about a class you have attended, and either attend another class instead, or do something else entirely.

Please only attend classes that are at your skill level, to increase the learning and fun for yourself and others.

Children's Workshops

Children's workshops are geared towards kids; however, all ages are welcome and invited to attend.

Around the World through Dance, a Children's Cultural Experience: Taught by Heather Frankley-Arent.

Flamenco for beginners and children: Taught by LaLinda Vecchiarelli.

Kid's fiddle, viola, and cello: Simple Strings! This will be a fun class in the basics of comfortable playing for violin, viola and cello.  Absolute beginners are more than welcome.  We will practice bow holds, how to hold the violin/cello and simple, very non-scary songs.  Taught by Myra Joy.

Rhythm and Movement, the Foundations of Dance: Taught by Heather Frankley-Arent.

Dance Classes

Belly dance: Upper Egyptian style. Taught by Elizabeth Strong.

Belly dance: Folkloric style. Taught by Elizabeth Strong.

English country dance: Old World partner/group dancing, a style that eventually evolved into the American Square dancing. This style of dance is frequently performed at Renaissance Faires. Taught by Kevin Hughes.

Flamenco dance: For beginner to intermediate levels, taught by LaLinda Vecchiarelli.

Fire staff dance: Taught by Isaac Rappaport.

Irish step dance: Taught by Shirleigh Brannon.

Mokalé rhythm song circle: Taught by Tony Elman

Music Classes

Accordion, piano beginning : Taught by Dan Cantrell.

Accordion, Balkan: Taught by Dan Cantrell.

Brass Band: Taught by Peter Jaques.

Dulcimer: Taught by Holly Tannen

Drum, general drum and rhythm: Taught by David Feldthouse.

Drum, Middle Eastern percussion, beginning: Basic techniques, especially focusing on the doumbek. Taught by Mark Bell.

Drum, Middle Eastern percussion, advanced: More advanced technique, Middle Eastern beat counts. Taught by Mark Bell.

Flute, Irish: Taught by George Grasso.

Guitar, Flamenco: Taught by Sean Hathorn.

Guitar, flatpicking: Taught by Eric Thompson.

Golden Toad Polyrhythm Choir: Taught by Tony Elman.

Harp: Instruments available for use and purchase. Taught by Chris Caswell.

Hurdy Gurdy: Taught by Debra Dawson.

Mandolin, beginning: Taught by Kevin Hughes.

Oud: Taught by

Penny whistle: Taught by Chris Caswell.

Saz, Turkish Bağlama: Instruments available for use and purchase. Taught by Larry Klein.

Viola, advanced: Taught by Mikael Marin.

Violin/Viola/Cello, beginning: Simple Strings! Do you have a violin in your closet?  This will be a fun class in the basics of comfortable playing for violin, viola and cello.  Absolute beginners are more than welcome.  We will practice bow holds, how to hold the violin/cello and simple, very non-scary songs.  Class material will be geared to the individual desires of students who attend the first workshop. Taught by Myra Joy.

Afghan ensemble: Learn songs from the Afghan music tradition, including both vocal and instrumental pieces.  Explore folks styles along with Afghan music influenced by the classical music of North India.  Open to students with any instrument, with or without previous Afghan musical experience.  Taught by

Cajun music: Learn waltzes, twosteps and blues as they are played in French-speaking southwest Louisiana!  All instruments welcome,  especially fiddles and guitars.  We will be playing "tuned up" so if  you want to join on one-row accordion, you will want a D box. Taught by Eric and Suzy Thompson.

English country tunes: Taught by Jason Adajian. The music that goes with the Morris dances of The Pipe and Bowl Morris Men, and theEnglish country dances of Newcastle.

Backing Irish tunes: Taught by George Grasso.

North Indian music theory & practicum: Introduction to the concepts of North Indian (Hindustani) classical music, including rhythm (tala) and melody (raga).  Learn how the basic elements of a Hindustani classical performance fit together, practice some wonderful exercises that will improve your musicianship in any style on any instrument (including voice), learn some basic compositions, and explore concepts of improvisation.  Open to students with any instrument.  No prior experience required.  Taught by Derek Wright.

Old-time harmony singing: Taught by Suzy Thompson.

Holistic music theory: Taught by Chris Caswell.

Song Craft: Taught by Holly Tannen.