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Workshops

Workshops are special, one-time experiences of music and dance with master teachers at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Low in time commitment but high in artistry, workshops are timely, engaging, and dynamic sessions targeted to serve participants with varied interests and goals.

The typical duration of a one-day workshop is an hour and a half to two hours, but we also offer intensives and multi-day or multi-week options. Workshops costs are dependent on length, specialty, and teaching artist, and some are funded by grants to make them low-cost to you. Each week we host something or someone new, so check back often!

Sat. November 01, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Piedmont Blues Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop with Andy Cohen

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Guitar
$40 ($35 members)
Sat. November 01, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

From A Song To A Masterwork In One Session with Corky Siegel

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
$100 ($95 members)
Sat. November 01, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Breakdancing Basics with Dylan Wray

[more info]

Program:
$25 ($22 members)
Sat. November 01, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Community Singing Workshop with Megan Eberhardt

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Voice
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. November 01, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Rev. Gary Davis's Buck Dance Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop with Andy Cohen

[more info]

Intermediate
Program: Guitar
$40 ($35 members)
Sun. November 02, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Djembe Dance from Senegal, Mali and Guinea in West Africa with Idy Ciss

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$35 ($30 members)
Sun. November 02, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

An Introduction To DADGAD Guitar Workshop with Sarah McQuaid

[more info]

Intermediate
Program: Guitar
$40 ($35 members)
Sun. November 02, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Intensive Two Steppin with Louie Stallone

[more info]

Advanced
Program: Dance
$40 ($36 members)
Sun. November 02, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

DADGAD Song Accompaniment Workshop with Sarah McQuaid

[more info]

Intermediate
Program: Guitar
$40 ($35 members)
Sat. November 08, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Advanced Djembe Workshop with Michael Taylor

[more info]

Advanced
Program: Drumming
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. November 08, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Adult Pom Pom Dance Class - Shake, Shimmer, and Slay! with Emily Zouras

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$25 ($20 members)
Sat. November 08, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Introduction to the West African Djembe Drum with Michael Taylor

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Drumming
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. November 08, 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Melodies, Bass Runs and Riffs for Guitarists with Charles Kim

[more info]

Intermediate
Program: Guitar
$30 ($25 members)
Sat. November 08, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Karaoke: Up Your Game with Jackie Jasperson with Jackie Jasperson

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Voice
$35 ($30 members)
Sun. November 09, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Hip-Hop Funk Dance Workshop with Poppin Chuck with Poppin Chuck

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$30 ($28 members)
Tue. November 11, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Day Off Camp: Veterans Day with Becca Jaffe · Grace Valaskovic

[more info]

Open to All
Kids Group Class – Program: Camp
$100 ($80 members)
Fri. November 14, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Harmony Singing Workshop: Fleetwood Mac with Jackie Jasperson

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Voice
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. November 15, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Keeping the Irish Tradition Alive in Chicago with Mike Austin · Jim Conway

Old Town School Irish Session Ensemble teachers James Conway and Mike Austin will spin some legendary Celtic records and CDs from the Resource Center’s collection. James and Mike will also perform some of those selections as they would be played in a Chicago Irish music session. The Irish music scene in Chicago is considered one of the most vibrant and important anywhere in the world, and these two teaching artists have a wealth of history to share on the topic. There will be plenty of time for questions about all things Irish-music related, so be sure to bring your curious minds and ears. [more info]

Open to All
Program:
$18 ($18 members)
Sat. November 15, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Listening to the Forest: A Sound Meditation for Kids with Marshall Greenhouse

[more info]

Open to All
Kids Group Class – Program:
$25 ($20 members)
Sat. November 15, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Collaborative Songwriting: A Workshop with Kacie Swierk with Kacie Swierk

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Songwriting
$40 ($35 members)
Sat. November 15, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Handpan Workshop with Marshall Greenhouse

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Drumming
$30 ($25 members)
Sat. November 15, 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Chord Chemistry for All Instruments with Charles Kim

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Guitar
$30 ($25 members)
Sat. November 15, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Dabke Dance Workshop

[more info]

Program:
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. November 15, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 909 W Armitage Ave

Nia

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$25 ($20 members)
Sat. November 15, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Central) · Online

Fretboard Geography Workshop with Tommi Zender

[more info]

Intermediate
Program: Guitar
$30 ($25 members)
Wed. December 31, 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

What’s Going On? - You Don’t Own Me with Albert Martinez

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Guitar
$30 ($25 members)
Sun. November 16, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

‘60s Style Go-Go with Krista Ortgiesen

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$20 ($18 members)
Sat. November 22, 9:15 AM – 10:30 AM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Laying Sound Meditation Workshop with Jay Taylor

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
$30 ($30 members)
Sat. November 22, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Craft Lounge

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
Sat. November 22, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop: Burt Bacharach—What the World Needs Now & I Say A Little Prayer with Michael Miles

Burt Bacharach is the master of short, precise and incredibly compelling tunes where the song title tells the story of the whole song. Bacharach's musical hands were everywhere... jazz, rock, pop, soul, blues. These brilliant songs come to life with fingerstyle guitar and students receive detailed instructions and the score for how for how to play instrumental versions of these tunes. For intermediate students with some fingerstyle experience, who can read and use tablature. [more info]

Intermediate
Program: Guitar
$30 ($25 members)
Sat. November 22, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

J.S. Bach Clawhammer Banjo Workshop with Michael Miles

[more info]

Intermediate
Program: Banjo
$30 ($25 members)
Tue. December 02, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Salsa Night Dance Party with Denita Inez

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$25 ($22 members)
Sat. December 06, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

From A Song To A Masterwork In One Session with Corky Siegel

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
$100 ($95 members)
Sat. December 06, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Intro to Music Theory Through the Music of David Bowie with Josh Siegel

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
$30 ($25 members)
Sat. December 06, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Breath and Body for Vocalists Using Alexander Technique with Jeremy Cohn

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
$40 ($35 members)
Sat. December 06, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Community Singing Workshop with Megan Eberhardt

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Voice
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. December 06, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Dabke Dance Workshop

[more info]

Program:
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. December 06, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Holiday Songs Songbag with Alvin McGovern

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
$30 ($25 members)
Sat. December 06, 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Pedals for Guitarists and More with Charles Kim

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Guitar
$30 ($25 members)
Tue. December 09, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Country Western Line Dance for Beginners with Katie DeSalvo

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$30 ($28 members)
Fri. December 12, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Wiggleworms Family Hang! with Maryanne Johnson

[more info]

Open to All
Kids Group Class – Program: Wiggleworms
Sat. December 13, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Craft Lounge

[more info]

Open to All
Program:
Sat. December 13, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Intro to Burlesque with Sunny Haelstorm

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$35 ($30 members)
Sat. December 13, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Central) · Online

Ukulele Workshop: Holiday Songs pt. 1 with Vanda Kay

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Ukulele
$30 ($25 members)
Wed. December 31, 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

What’s Going On? - Good Golly, I Don’t Give A Damn with Albert Martinez

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Guitar
$30 ($25 members)
Sun. December 14, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Nutcracker Adult Dance Workshop with Emily Zouras

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$25 ($22 members)
Sun. December 14, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

‘60s Style Go-Go with Krista Ortgiesen

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$20 ($18 members)
Sun. December 14, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

All I Want for Christmas Is... DANCE! with Emily Zouras

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$25 ($22 members)
Sun. December 14, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Ukulele Workshop: Holiday Songs with Vanda Kay

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Ukulele
$30 ($25 members)
Fri. December 19, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Free Friday Family Jam! with Max Berg

[more info]

Open to All
Kids Group Class – Program: Guitar
Sat. December 20, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Central) · Online

Ukulele Workshop: Holiday Songs pt. 2 with Vanda Kay

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Ukulele
$30 ($25 members)
Sat. December 20, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave

Roaring 20’s Dance Party! with Chris Walz · Katie DeSalvo

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Dance
$25 ($22 members)
Mon. January 19, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Day Off Camp: Martin Luther King Day

[more info]

Open to All
Kids Group Class – Program: Camp
$100 ($80 members)
Wed. December 31, 6:00 PM – 1:30 AM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Playing Up the Neck: Utilizing Your Uke Past the 5th Fret with Charissa Hoffman

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Ukulele
$35 ($30 members)
Wed. December 31, 6:00 PM – 12:14 AM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Strum and Sing Love Songs for Valentine's Day with Charissa Hoffman

[more info]

Open to All
Program: Ukulele
$35 ($30 members)
Mon. February 16, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Day Off Camp: Presidents’ Day

[more info]

Open to All
Kids Group Class – Program: Camp
$100 ($80 members)
Tue. March 17, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Central) · 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Day Off Camp: Exploring the Arts

[more info]

Open to All
Kids Group Class – Program: Camp
$100 ($80 members)