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Music & Dance Camps

“It’s about sharing the joy!”

When you first experienced traditional music & dance, did a magical sensation spark inside you? At Ashokan you can re-connect to that excitement and develop the skills to re-create that sound, feel, and motion! 

Sing, dance, jam with new friends, and leave the cares of the world behind. 

Ashokan Music & Dance Camps take place in a beautiful natural setting with flexible pricing that includes camping and meals. Private rooms and bunks are also available on site. Families and folks of all ages are welcome. Campers under 18 must attend with a parent or guardian. 

Weather permitting, all classes will be held in outdoor covered areas, with indoor & outdoor seating for meals. Attendance will be limited to allow for greater personal space. Read our Covid Safety Protocol.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about camp!

2023 Music & Dance Camps:

Scottish String Fling 2023

May 12, 2023 - May 14, 2023

World-class Scottish traditional musicians and teachers, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, welcome intermediate and advanced string players for a fantastic learning experience that’s tremendous fun for all.

Register

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas Concert 2023

May 14, 2023

A lively concert of Scottish fiddle & cello music with renowned performers Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas, Emerald Rae, Donal Sheets, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason. 3pm in the performance hall. 

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Old Time Rollick 2023

May 19, 2023 - May 21, 2023

Emily Schaad hosts this rollicking weekend for musicians and dancers of all levels. Deepen your playing, build your repertoire, make new friends, and jam until the wee hours.

Register

Old Time Open House 2023

May 21, 2023

Come enjoy rollicking old-time jam session with staff and campers from the Old Time Rollick weekend. Come early to enjoy the tasty lunch buffet!

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Uke Fest 2023

May 26, 2023 - May 29, 2023

Expand your skills and thrive in the aloha spirit of the ukulele at the Ashokan Uke Fest with host Ben Hassenger and his amazing teaching staff! You’ll meet new people, learn new techniques and styles, and gain confidence as a player.

Register

Uke Revue 2023

May 27, 2023

Treat yourself to a fabulous evening concert by six fantastic ukulele players. 7:30pm 

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Western and Swing BBQ & Dance 2023

June 24, 2023

Dine, dance, or just enjoy a great evening of Swing & Classic Country music under Ashokan’s outdoor pavilion! Learn dance basics and then get down to live music by Jay Ungar & Molly Mason and the Western & Swing Week house band.

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Western & Swing Week 2023

June 25, 2023 - July 01, 2023

Jay Ungar & Molly Mason host this full week of Vintage Jazz, Swing, Western-Swing, and Classic Country music and dancing.

Register

Northern Week BBQ & Dance 2023

July 15, 2023

Dine, dance, or just enjoy a great evening of New England & Québécois music and dancing under Ashokan’s outdoor pavilion! Learn dance basics and then join in the contras & squares with caller Will Mentor and live music by Genticorum and Lighthouse.

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Northern Week 2023

July 16, 2023 - July 22, 2023

Jay Ungar & Molly Mason host a fun and friendly full-week of traditional music & dance from New England, Québec, England, Sweden, and France. Beginners welcome!

Register

Acoustic Guitar Camp 2023

July 24, 2023 - July 28, 2023

Ashokan Acoustic Guitar Camp offers guitarists of all levels an opportunity for real immersion and growth in a friendly environment where people can sing, jam and share valuable musical knowledge.

Register

Guitar Summit 2023

July 26, 2023

We invite our community to enjoy a wonderful evening of acoustic guitar players. Don't miss this incredible lineup. 7:30pm

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Bluegrass Camp 2023

July 31, 2023 - August 04, 2023

Kimber Ludiker hosts a week of bluegrass instruction and jamming for guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bass, vocals and songwriting. Jam with and learn from inspirational teachers hand-picked to cultivate a magical musical environment.

Register

Bluegrass Open House 2023

August 03, 2023

Enjoy the Bluegrass Camper & Staff Concert, then pick a few tunes at the jam. This is an open community night on the last night of Ashokan's Bluegrass Camp. 6pm dinner (optional), 7:30pm concert

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Family Camp 2023

August 07, 2023 - August 11, 2023

Don’t let the summertime fly by without some quality JOY with your kids or grandkids. Ashokan Family Camp is a laid-back, cross-generational escape into nature, music, arts, crafts, and interactive fun & games! From babies to teens and parents to grandparents, you’ll leave with hearts full of music and family memories to last a lifetime. 

Register

Southern Week BBQ & Dance 2023

August 12, 2023

Dine, dance, or just enjoy a great evening of Cajun, Créole, Zydeco, and Old Time string band music under Ashokan’s outdoor pavilion! Learn dance basics and then join in the square dance, Cajun, and Zydeco party.

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Southern Week 2023

August 13, 2023 - August 19, 2023

Jay Ungar & Molly Mason host a fun and friendly full-week of Southern traditional music from the Bayou to the Blue Ridge Mountains and beyond. Have fun learning and playing together!

Register

Banjo Weekend 2023

November 17, 2023 - November 19, 2023

It’s Ashokan’s first-ever Banjo Weekend, with instructional workshops, jamming, and all kinds of banjo inspiration with Tony Trischka, Joe Newberry, TBA, and your host Scott Hopkins.

Register


Subscribe to the Ashokan Archive and view over 300 video lessons and workshops from our 2020 and 2021. You’ll discover a world of fun, accessible workshops for ukulele, guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, accordion, piano, bass, and harmony singing, with fantastic teachers. 

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Contact our Music & Dance Camp staff at 845-246-2121 or camps@ashokancenter.org

Thank you to the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation for supporting Ashokan Music & Dance Camps and the Summer Hoot