Learn the basics of clawhammer banjo with award winning banjo player Carolyn Shapiro. This four week workshop will introduce you to everything you need to get started on your banjo journey. You will learn the clawhammer technique, how to tune your instrument, basic chord shapes, alternate tunings, and a few songs that will help you get familiar with your instrument. This is a beginner level workshop and is perfect for anyone who is brand new to music or brand new to this style of banjo.
Carolyn is an old-time banjo player and songwriter from Glens Falls who has been picking and singing around the Capital Region for over ten years. She got her start as a performer working at Caffe Lena and is now a regular host of the Monday open mic. Blending sultry flavor with a deep-rooted traditional style, Carolyn's music pushes the boundaries of the banjo with a catalog of songs that takes listeners on an intimate journey through the complexities of being human. As a performer, Carolyn brings a joy and vulnerability to the stage, leaving audiences feeling genuinely restored and inspired. Her 2022 debut album earned her the title of Folk Artist of the Year at the Capital Region Music Rewards. Her sophomore release, Take it Easy (2024) was recorded live with her band and captures the warmth, spontaneity, and camaraderie that define her sound.
