Summer Dance IntensiveJuly 25 & 26
8-Week Classes: May 1 - June 25
Registration is Open Now! »
8-Week Classes: June 26 - August 20
Registration is Open Now! »
8-Week Classes: September 5 - October 29
Registration Opens July 7! »
8-Week Classes: October 24 - December 18
Continuing student registration opens on September 12. »
Kids Summer Camps
Registration is Open! »
Gift Certificates · Financial Aid · Class Policies
8-Week Classes: May 1 - June 25
Registration is Open Now! »
8-Week Classes: June 26 - August 20
Registration is Open Now! »
8-Week Classes: September 5 - October 29
Registration is Open Now! »
8-Week Classes: October 24 - December 18
Registration is Open Now! »
Gift Certificates · Financial Aid · Policies · Resource Center
Monday - Thursday 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday - Sunday 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
4544 N. Lincoln Avenue: 773.751.3398
909 W. Armitage Avenue: 773.525.1506
Celebrating the rich variety of our musical community - jump on in!
Explore a World of Banjo Bliss!
Our banjo classes are divided into three main styles: Clawhammer, Two-Finger, and Bluegrass. If you are not sure which style to play, try Introduction to the Banjo and get a taste of all three styles in one eight-week class.
 Introduction to the Banjo | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Tuesday or Thursday with Jonas Friddle or Matt Brown For anyone attracted to the 5-string banjo but not sure which style to try first, this is for you! Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional · Old Time · Folk · Clawhammer | |
| 21st Century Banjo Repertoire | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Tuesday with Matt Brown Learn to play some of your favorite contemporary songs on the banjo! Grouped with: Bluegrass · Clawhammer · Artist Specific · Two-Finger | |
| Clawhammer Banjo 1 | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Thursday with Steve Rosen Begin by using chords to strum simple songs with a technique known as frailing. Grouped with: Country & Traditional · Old Time · Folk · Clawhammer | |
| Clawhammer Banjo 2 | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Tuesday with Dan Mulvihill Go beyond the basics with Clawhammer techniques such as drop-thumbing, while playing more challenging songs and fiddle tunes. Grouped with: Country & Traditional · Old Time · Folk · Clawhammer | |
| Clawhammer Banjo 3 | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Thursday with Steve Rosen Develop stronger left and right hand techniques in frailing and drop-thumb using hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. Grouped with: Country & Traditional · Old Time · Folk · Clawhammer | |
| Clawhammer Banjo's World of Folk & Blues | Group ClassAdvancedNew! 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Monday with Michael Miles Grouped with: Blues · World · Folk · Clawhammer | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 1 | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Thursday with Chris Walz The first of five classes in the Bluegrass Banjo series that will take you through the techniques needed to play in a bluegrass style. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 1 Repertoire | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Ian Wilson with your contact information. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 2 | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Thursday with Chris Walz Pick up some advanced rolls and tunes, as well as rhythm and back-up playing. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 2 Repertoire | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Ian Wilson with your contact information. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 3 | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Thursday with Chris Walz Put all the pieces together - the right hand rolls and changing them inside of one measure, back up and fill in licks, and vamping positions with chops and rolls. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 4 - Earl Scruggs | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Ian Wilson with your contact information. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional · Artist Specific | |
| Bluegrass Banjo: Advanced Skills | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Grouped with: Bluegrass · Musicianship | |
| Two-Finger Banjo 1 | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Grouped with: Old Time · Folk · Two-Finger | |
| Two-Finger Banjo 2 | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Grouped with: Old Time · Folk · Two-Finger | |
| Two-Finger Banjo 3 | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Grouped with: Old Time · Two-Finger | |
| Two-Finger Banjo 4 | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Monday with Matt Brown In this culminating class, students collaborate to create their own two-finger banjo arrangements of fiddle tunes and songs. Grouped with: Old Time · Two-Finger |
Our private lessons like our group classes run in 8-week sessions, however, you can begin private lessons during any week in the session. Please call our customer service folks at 773.728.6000 to register as private lesson availability is based upon individual teacher schedules.
Lessons are scheduled weekly, for 30, 45 or 60 minutes, and are available every day of the week at our Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park locations. Our experienced and professional faculty will work with you to develop an individualized program that helps you achieve your musical goals.
Stop in at either location or call the front desk at 773.728.6000 to register.
8-week lessons: 05/01/2017 – 06/25/2017
Monday 03/27/17: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 04/10/17: Transfer registration
Wednesday 04/12/17: Open registration
8-week lessons: 06/26/2017 – 08/20/2017
Monday 05/22/17: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 06/05/17: Transfer registration
Wednesday 06/07/17: Open registration
8-week lessons: 09/05/2017 – 10/29/2017
Monday 07/17/17: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 07/31/17: Transfer registration
Wednesday 08/02/17: Open registration
8-week lessons: 10/30/2017 – 12/24/2017
Monday 09/25/17: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 10/09/17: Transfer registration
Wednesday 10/11/17: Open registration
Click for teacher profiles and schedules
The Old Town School of Folk Music, Inc.
4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago IL 60625 • 773.728.6000
