The 17th Annual
Sandbridge Hammered Dulcimer Retreats
with Ken Kolodner:
Teaching assistant for all weeks: Mary Lynn Michal (van Deventer)
Technical assistant for all weeks: Laurie McCarriar
Unless things change substantially, we will be Zooming in the Spring. If there is an effective vaccine, it is possible we can run a hybrid model with an in-person component and the rest zooming
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2021 Dates - ZOOM or possibly a hybrid model: AS OF 10/15/2020, ALL SPRING WEEKS WILL BE VIA ZOOM. OUR HOPE IS THAT THE FALL 2021 WEEKS WILL INCLUDE IN-PERSON & ZOOM
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2021 Dates - if we are able to do an in-person component, we will run the workshops on these dates to allow for travel
- March 27-April 3, 2021: Sandbridge "Relaxed" Week! For first-timers to Sandbridge and those who would like a more relaxed pace. Teaching assistant: Mary Lynn Michal
- April 4-10, 2021: Spring Week for intermediate/advanced - registration opens March 15, 2020; Teaching assistant: Mary Lynn Michal
- April 11-12, 2021: Master class - contact Ken if you would like to find out about this (limited to 8)
- April 13-15, 2021: Sandbridge Fiddle Retreat - The Sandfiddlers Fiddle Retreat! 3 full days of fiddling
- Sep 18-25, 2021: Intermediate - registration opens Oct 15, 2020; Teaching Assistant: Mary Lynn Michal
- Sep 26 - Oct 2, 2021: Intermediate/advanced; Teaching Assistant: Mary Lynn Michal
- Oct 3-9, 2021: Advanced only; Teaching Assistant: Mary Lynn Michal
Order Sandbridge Tune Books & Video Lessons
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Click here for Sandbridge Video Lessons Detailed video lessons for more than 70 tunes and 5 Foundation Skill areas. |
The Sandbridge Scholarship Fund
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The Sandbridge Scholarship Fund was born in the fall of 2017 based on the generosity of a former Sandbridge participant, Adie Carlyle. Contributions are tax deductible. Over 30 participants have attended on partial scholarships. Find out more and apply here.
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For our 15th year (2019), we had 20-23 participants for our five weeks (104 total plus 28 guests) coming from Australia and 26 states in the U.S. including AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WA, and WI!! We held our first fiddle retreat with 12 participants. And we had our second year of 7 person two-day master class for hammered dulcimer. Contact Ken anytime if you are interested. All weeks fill every year! Spend a week in Sandbridge, Virginia at one of three adjacent beach houses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is about a 100 yard walk to dipping your feet in the water! These are beautiful houses.
This is an intensive hammered dulcimer workshop in a wonderfully relaxing and supportive environment. Workshop topics and daily schedule will be determined through discussions of participants with Ken prior to the workshop. Likely topics include arranging, accompaniment, application of chord theory, improvisation and much more. Here's what you get:
There are four weeks of Sandbridge with three weeks in the fall and "Spring Sandbridge" in early April. The first fall week ("Week #1") is designed to be mostly for a wide range of intermediate level players; the second fall week ("Week #2") is designed to be a higher level, most appropriate for stronger intermediates plus some advanced players; the last week ("week #3") is primarily for advanced players. However, there tends to be a mix of levels at each week. Spring Sandbridge is a more inclusive week in terms of level and includes intermediate through advanced players. The level of player tends to be relatively high during all weeks - my experience from teaching at 125-150 festivals is that the level is higher than any festival in the U.S. We strive to move along as fast as possible, without stressing out the participants. Enrollment is limited to 18-21 participants. |
Class Time
Great food! Click here for some recipes
A beach neighbor. Photo by David Magers
Music theory can be fun!
Soccer on the beach
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Assistant for fall weeks #1 and #2:
Mary Lynn Michal (van Deventer) For both the first and second fall weeks, I am thrilled to have Mary Lynn as my assistant. Mary Lynn ("ML") currently teaches 40+ of my Sandbridge regular attendees via FaceTime and in person. She has been instrumental in raising the level of the weeks through her great understanding of my approach and her undying patience and determination. From her home base of Hillsborough, North Carolina, ML maintains 100+ students on hammered dulcimer, piano, flute and French Horn. Trained at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, ML is the principal French Horn player in the Durham Symphony Orchestra. As a hammered dulcimer player of just six years, she has joined Ken Kolodner on stage in concerts in Chicago, Watkins Glen, NY and at The Black Mountain Festival, and has performed at The National Cathedral in DC as a soloist and with Mark Grobner, Jim Plitt and Bob Hubbach on the main stage at "Evart". In addition to assisting Ken at three of the Sandbridge weeks, she has taught at Evart, The Black Mountain Festival, The Poconos Dulcimer Festival and "Unicoi" and private workshops. |
Videographer and technical support:
Laurie McCarriar I started "Sandbridge" largely at the urging of Laurie McCarriar, "The Artist Geek". Laurie has been with me since year #1 and has attended EVERY week. Laurie does all recording for the summary DVDs, runs the workshop projector, puts out our annual calendar and does all the graphics for other products (bumper stickers, t-shirts, mugs etc.). Laurie helps artists of all types (musicians, artists, chefs, you name it) with their technical needs - websites, book publishing, CD cover, etc. And she operates as my sounding board! I couldn't do it without Laurie!! |
Ken evaluates all applicants for acceptance into the workshop. Based on your availability, space in the weeks, and your playing experience, Ken will work with each participant to place you in the best week for you.
Click for more info and registration
Click for more info and registration
Jamming in the big room at Sandbridge, 2012