Tradition and fun continue at Bluegrass Camp

The second week of Ozark Mountain Music Association’s Bluegrass Camp is currently underway, at the Michel family’s Weddings at the Homestead, on Collins Rd. east of Branson. From Tuesday through Friday, campers work with talented instructors on guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and bass, plus vocals and songwriting. They participate in bands; take individual and group lessons; and spend time jamming in the shade around the scenic property. 

More than 85 young musicians attended the first week of camp last week, and over 50 are attending this week. OMMA Director Wendy Wright expressed her thanks to the donors and scholarship sponsors who helped the group make the transition to offering a second week, which was added this year to ensure each young camper has plenty of instruction time as the camp’s popularity continues to grow. 

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This year’s instructors include Cathy Day, Coy Stephan, Mary Parker, Matt Maydew, Matt Tomlinson, Sam Coffey, LillyAnne McCool, Gerald Jones, Kari Garrison, Sadie Russell, Emily Boldman, Sharry Loven, Hawken Boldman, Luke Porter, George Mason, Sandi McClary, Katrina Harper, Oscar Caudell, Wayne Massengale, Dillon Harper, David Currey, Gordon Parker, Koltyn West, Jeff Michel, David Maravilla, Evan Anderegg, Brian Grim, Bull Harman, Isaac McCutcheon, Tate Greer, Sophia Wright and Crystal McCool. Several of the instructors are professional performers; others are camp alumni who continued their musical education and now enjoy returning to assist new campers; and all believe in the importance of passing on traditional musical skills. 

Families come from around the Ozarks and several states to bring their youth to camp. One father of several campers, who brought his family from Kansas for the second year, pointed out the wholesome interactions, new friendships with other youth who enjoy music, and the fun of watching his kids learn, as big reasons why the family put it on their calendar again this year. Another new addition this year was a session for the younger siblings that often come along, taught by a musician/mom, with six- and seven-year-olds already displaying some amazing talent and ready to learn. And those new friendships over the years have led to at least one wedding, with another coming up soon! 

This week’s camp winds up with a performance by several bands, some who attended as a group wanting to improve their stage skills and others who were placed into groups by the instructors during the week. This event is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. 

The tradition and fun aren’t over yet for this year; the OMMA Old-Time Music and Dance Camp is scheduled for July 14-17 in Mountain View, Arkansas, with a few open spots remaining. Visit the website, https://www.ozarkmountainmusicassociation.com/, for details and to register your young people. Follow the Facebook page to see more event photos and stay up to date on other great OMMA events throughout the year.