Music Class Groups

Your day begins with two 75-minute morning class periods on your major discipline (fiddle, piano, community singing, etc). Morning classes are grouped by learning focus. There is a group that will excite and challenge everyone!

The AFTMD morning class groups and their focuses are:

• Moose — From the Ground Up
• Seals — Skill Building
• Bears — Nuance and Detail
• Eagles — Intensive Artistic Development
• Community Singing

You choose your own class group. During the week of camp, you are welcome to move between the different groups during camp. Please note, however, that class material is progressive, so you will benefit from choosing your group as early as possible. If you are uncertain which level will be the best match for your musical goals, we are happy to help you choose. Read more about choosing a group.

Moose

Offered for fiddle & guitar

This program is ideal for students who are relatively new to their discipline or returning after a break. It is perfect for anyone wanting to focus on strengthening their foundations. It will be a full-immersion week of fun music!

Over the course of the week, you’ll learn how to play some super fun tunes from different traditional styles. You can expect a gently-paced class in a fun, supportive environment. There will be a clear breakdown of tunes, plenty of repetition, slower tempos, and historical and cultural context. Your teachers will show you tricks and techniques to develop ease and comfort in your playing.

To get the most out of this class, we recommend that you can play at least 3 songs on your instrument before coming to camp, in any style. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” (or similar) counts as a song!

Seals

Offered for all instruments

The Seals group is for folks who want to develop their knowledge of traditional music and their instrumental technique – all while learning some of the best tunes each style has to offer!

You’ll work on how to learn the tunes by ear (so you can learn more quickly and easily in the future!). Your teachers will help you build comfort and fluidity on your instrument. You’ll get lots of tools to continue your musical explorations long after camp comes to a close!

To get the most out of this class, we recommend that you have a basic fluency in your instrument and at least some experience learning by ear.

For fiddlers – The Seal Fiddle classes will have a different tutor each morning (we call this the Fiddlers’ Shuffle), from a different style of traditional fiddling. You’ll get to explore each genre and start to develop a sound and repertoire distinctive to that region.

The Seal fiddle group will be divided into three sub-groups. To get the most out of these classes, we recommend that you have basic fluency in your instrument and at least some experience learning by ear.

• Relaxed Seals You can expect to learn 2-3 tunes each morning, in a fun and relaxed environment. Tunes will be taught by ear, and your tutors will help you improve your ear-learning skills. There will be many repetitions of each tune section and clear guidance on how to produce specific kinds of sound needed in each fiddle style.
• Fast-paced Seals You will explore the same skills as in the Relaxed Seal class, but moving at a faster, more intensive pace. You can expect to learn at least 3 tunes by ear each morning. Your teachers will help you hone the techniques needed for getting a “groove” at the tempos played in a dance or jam session.
• New-to-Trad Seals This is a class designed for experienced Classical or note-reading players. You’ll discover how to use the technical and musical knowledge you have, using it to create a “traditional fiddle sound” into your playing. You don’t need any prior experience with traditional fiddle styles to have a great time.
  This class will be taught from the fiddle, but experienced viola or cello players are also welcome to join.

Bears

Offered for all instruments

The Bears group is an intensive, fast-paced group which will cover lots of material and dig into the nuances of traditional music.

You’ll learn lots of repertoire and look at things which make each genre distinctive – rhythmic groove, ornamentation, and more. Your lessons will include the history and context behind each tradition. You’ll work towards the goal of fluency in each traditional music language. Tutors might ask you to play something by yourself during class – a mini “master class” where you can get some direct and personalized feedback.

For fiddlers – The Bear Fiddle classes will have a different tutor each morning (we call this the Fiddlers’ Shuffle) from a different style of traditional fiddling. You’ll get to explore each genre and start to develop a sound and repertoire distinctive to that region.

Experienced players of any instrument are welcome to join the Bear Fiddle class. You might also be interested in looking at the Eagles group to decide which class is a better match for you.

To get the most out of this class, we recommend that you learn quickly by ear, are comfortable using stylistic bowing and ornaments, and can perform tunes at dance tempo.

Eagles

Offered for all musicians and dancers

The Eagles is a group for experienced instrumentalists and dancers. It will focus on helping you develop your artistry at the highest level. Students will work together in a close-knit, multi-disciplinary collaboration.

You will perform for your colleagues, exchanging feedback and developing skills on the “business” side of the arts. You’ll teach each other repertoire and develop as an ensemble. You’ll also improve your communication with audiences (both artistically and verbally).

The Eagles group is not “more advanced” than the Bears! Students in the Bear classes will focus on their individual playing or dancing, while students in the Eagles classes will explore how their playing or dancing can contribute to the larger world of trad.  If you want to focus on you and your playing/dancing, pick the Bear group. If you want to focus on how you can be of service in trad, you should join the Eagles.

The Eagles class will study in Period 1 with their “Head Coach”, and in Period 2 with a different roster of “Master Class” instructors each day. You’ll learn from the different knowledge and perspectives from artists from different backgrounds.

Community Singing

The Community Singing class is open to everyone, regardless of previous vocal experience. We will learn songs from a wide variety of traditions and the rich stories behind them. This may include anything from call-and-response songs, work songs, traditional ballads, multi-part harmony singing, and more. It will be a week exploring the joys of singing traditional songs together! 

If you have any questions about whether a particular group might be appropriate for you to join, please get in touch (here). We are happy to help advise you!

Dance Class Groups

The Dance Program in 2027 will include:

• Morning classes in Québécois Step Dancing and Sean-nós Dancing (Seal and Bear)
• Morning Moose Classes – our foundational dance class featuring Cape Breton and Sean-nós Steps
• Afternoon social dances and sessions
• Afternoon workshops led by dance tutors and others on our faculty

Each day will begin with a dance-specific 30-minute warm-up class. Then you will split into Moose, Seal and Bear groups. Each group will have two 60-minute classes each morning.

If you are uncertain which group will be the best match for your goals and skill set, we are happy to advise you — read here for more info.

Moose

From the Ground Up

This group is for students who are new to dance, or those returning to dance after a hiatus. It will be a gently-paced class, with thorough breakdown of footwork, and lower tempos. You’ll explore the music, history, and cultural context of dance traditions. Students will work with the same faculty member every morning.

Seals

Skill Building

This group is for students who have some percussive dance experience and who are comfortable dancing at moderate tempos. You will build clarity, musicality, and confidence in your dancing throughout the week. This group will rotate between two different dance teachers in the mornings.

Bears

Nuance and Detail

This group is for experienced dancers who are comfortable dancing solo, improvising, and with a good understanding of musical structures. You’ll cover lots of repertoire and work on improving stamina, fluency, and technique. This group will rotate between two different dance teachers in the mornings.

Eagles

Intensive Artistic Development

The Eagles program is open to dancers as well as musicians!  It will focus on helping you develop your artistry at the highest level. You’ll work on the skills you need to join the next generation of musical ambassadors in traditional music! Students will work together in a close-knit, multi-disciplinary collaboration.

You will perform for your colleagues, exchanging feedback and developing skills on the “business” side of the arts. You’ll teach each other repertoire and develop as an ensemble. You’ll also improve your communication with audiences (both artistically and verbally).