youth music Education programs
JAMZ & Youth Orchestra
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PINTGRASS
Pintgrass is designed for grades Pre-K to 1 (or permission from instructor)
Feb 18 & 29, 2027
9am-noon (Cottonwood)
Registration INCLUDES a full 4-day pass to the festival
Having Fun with Music is our main objective – Beginning instrumentalists (kids that optionally bring a working uke, or any other instrument you play) will be able to accompany at least 1 song (one chord, C7) as well as 2-3 chord songs according to existing skill set. Traditional singing games, folk art and more! Ages 4 through first grade or permission by instructor
Please bring:
Water bottle
Snack
About the instructor:
Sandy Buchner has been a pre school and elementary music teacher in Seattle since 1995, as well as a working musician and puppeteer.
Youth academy/teen academy/yatt
Feb 18 & 29, 2027
9am-4pm (Evergreen)
Registration INCLUDES a full 4-day pass to the festival
Whether you’ve never held a stringed instrument before, or you’ve been picking for years, there’s fun and growth for all as we sing and dance, learn new tunes and make new friends as we work our way toward a grand finale on the Evergreen stage.
Youth Academy, ages 7 to 11: Age-and experience-appropriate instruction and activities for those embarking on their musical journey.
Teen Academy, ages 12 to 16: For middle-and high-schoolers looking to get in on the fun in a safe, encouraging environment, and more seasoned players looking for a place to expand musically.
High School Band Lab
High School Band Lab is a program for high schoolers.
Feb 19 & 20, 2027
10am-2pm (TBA)
Registration INCLUDES a full 4-day pass to the festival
High School Band Lab is an opportunity for high school musicians to meet and play with peers in a supported, guided environment. Participants will be matched with peers into bands, and work with adult mentors to put together a culminating performance.
Interest or experience with bluegrass is not necessary, as this is not a bluegrass-specific program. (Those who are interested in bluegrass specifically will be matched with peers and mentors who share that interest.) All acoustic musicians are welcome, including those who play winds or brass instruments, or are primarily vocalists.
We’ll also explore basic improvisation skills, as well as the fundamentals of using stage sound equipment, so your sound engineer help you perform your best.
High School Band Lab is led by Kat Bula, a prolific fiddler, guitarist, songwriter and music educator. She will be supported by a team of other equally fabulous teaching artists TBA.
youth orchestra
Saturday, Feb 20, 2027 tba (rehearsal, Cedar)
Sunday, Feb 21, 2027 (performance, Grand Ballroom)
Registration INCLUDES a full 4-day pass to the festival
This program is designed for students who are experienced bowed string musicians in middle school, high school, and college. Students will participate in a full weekend of clinics and performances which includes rehearsals and Q & As with our collaborative artists, workshops with our WGYO Faculty, sectionals, lunch, and dinner. This year we are thrilled to be collaborating with The Fretless, Hanneke Cassel Trio, and Bruce Molsky & Brittany Haas.
This is truly a unique opportunity to learn from and perform with extraordinary professional artists. All students are strongly encouraged to attend as much of the festival as possible when not rehearsing or performing. The chance to work with such distinguished faculty and artists is priceless, but we encourage every student to “pay what they can.” With the 4-day weekend student pass, lunch and dinner, 2026 Festival T-shirt, and general operating costs, the average price per student is $200. Wintergrass is committed to removing all financial barriers for students that want to participate in the orchestra. Again, each student is asked to pay what they can when registering.
Wintergrass is a production of Acoustic Sound, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. EIN: 91-2103544