Fungrass
Photo by Mike Melnyk
Fungrass—Kathleen Rushing and Carol Spiker—This is a special class for children who are not ready for a 3-hour instrumental class. The class meets in the mornings from 9 a.m. to noon, the same time as the main vocal and instrumental classes at camp. Students will have a chance to interact with instruments and learn about each of the main bluegrass and oldtime instruments. They will also participate in fun, interactive experiences which may include singing, dancing, performance, crafts, recording, musical drama, games, nature walks, garden & livestock tours, and a great snack each day. In the afternoons, they may attend the elective classes, some of which will be set up specially for them, and they may attend the evening activities also (dances, etc). If the group is large, it may be split into two groups, with more focus on instrumental music in one group, and more focus on singing and other activities with the other.
Prerequisites: If parents are not present, the child should be kindergarten age or older. Preschoolers are welcome if their parents attend class with them. Older kids (pre-teens) are welcome to come as teacher’s assistants.
Carol Spiker loves kids and stringed instruments. Retired from 35 years as a Resource Specialist (working with special needs kids), she discovered the power of music as a motivator. She's a fiddler, but plays around with many other instruments. She now gets her "kid-fix" by watching Fun-Grass kids light up when the instrument they're meant to fall in love with is put in their hands or under their chin. She plays fiddle in her own band "Assorted Nuts" in the Sacramento area. Her band is made up of kids from 17 to 76 years of age.
Kathleen Rushing is a retired kindergarten teacher, specializing in music and movement during her teaching career. Kathleen has been playing the guitar and singing with children since she was 12. Currently she visits many schools, libraries and community events with her unique brand of music for families called Bingo Schmingo Music: music designed to enhance and promote both language development and the joy of music in young children. She has produced 2 CDs, Bingo Schmingo Music and The Heart of Bingo Schmingo Music. Kathleen also plays mandolin, bouzouki, guitar and sings in the SF Bay Area based, 12-member, all ladies, Irish/Folk band, Extended Roots.
www.Extendedroots.com
www.BingoSchmingo.com
These two women are an awesome team—we are delighted to have them working with our budding young musicians!
