loader image
logo
MENU ☰
×

Northern Week 2025
Sun, Jul 13 - Sat, Jul 19



Jay Ungar & Molly Mason host this full week of music and dance from New England, Québec, Sweden, England, and France. It’s a fun and friendly learning vacation with classes in singing, dancing, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, piano, bass, and practical music theory, along with jams, song swaps, band labs, and themed evening dance parties with great live music. Musicians and dancers of all levels and backgrounds are welcome.

Teaching Staff TBA

“The staff were all very friendly and helpful. The site was beautiful and I really enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere.”

Registration Pricing
Description Price
Supporter Includes $150 donation toward Ashokan’s programs & scholarships. Thank you for your Support! $1,035.00
Standard Registration ⭐️ Not sure? Choose this one! $885.00
Economy Need financial support? Choose this one. $735.00
Youth (ages 5-25) Youth participants choose this one. $585.00
Under 5 Little ones attend free! $0.00

Self-select from our registration tiers based on your ability to pay

STANDARD covers Ashokan’s cost per-person to host the event. If you can afford to pay the Standard price, please do. ECONOMY is for those who can’t currently afford the Standard price, but would like to attend and be part of our community. If you need financial assistance, this tier is for you. SUPPORTER not only grants you admission to the event, but includes a special donation to support Ashokan’s programs and scholarships. You're making a difference! Your donation builds a creative community grounded in the spirit of generosity, equity, and compassion. We are grateful for your support.

Scholarships

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP is for campers age 25 and under who are paying their own way and for families in need of financial support. Please self-select this tier. PAY IT FORWARD SCHOLARSHIP is for performers and teachers who will pass on the music, songs, or dance forms they learn at Ashokan to new audiences and to the next generation. Learn more and apply here.

Thank you for supporting the Ashokan Center and each other!

Lodging Options
Staying Off-site | $0.00
Live nearby or commuting to and from Ashokan from a hotel, Air BnB, or friend's house?
Camping | $0.00
Camping areas include rec field (with bathhouse) upper pasture, and more. BYO camping gear. No open fires.
Sharing a Private Room purchased by someone else | $0.00
Ashokan doesn't assign roommates or split room costs at our end, but you're encouraged to coordinate sharing any private room.
Bunk in Men's Longhouse | $300.00
Twin-sized bunk in large shared room with large shared bathroom. Maximum capacity 24 people in 12 bunkbeds. BYO bedding, towels, toiletries
Bunk in Women's Longhouse | $300.00
Twin-sized bunk in large shared room with large shared bathroom. Maximum capacity 24 people in 12 bunkbeds. BYO bedding, towels, toiletries
Bunk in All Gender Longhouse | $300.00
Twin-sized bunk in large shared room with large shared bathroom. Maximum capacity 24 people in 12 bunkbeds. BYO bedding, towels, toiletries
Mint Private Cabin | $900.00
A small private cabin with one queen bed, sleeps up to 2 people. Shared bathrooms nearby.
Nettle Private Cabin | $900.00
Small private cabin with two twin beds, sleeps up to 2 people. Shared bathrooms nearby.
Longhouse Private Room | $900.00
Upstairs room with shared bathroom. Sleeps up to 3 people in one bunkbed with twin top and queen bottom bunk. BYO bedding, towels, toiletries
Longhouse Private Room | $900.00
Upstairs room with shared bathroom. Sleeps up to 3 people in one bunkbed with twin top and queen bottom bunk. BYO bedding, towels, toiletries
Red Maple Private Room (Inner) | $1,140.00
Upstairs inner room with private bathroom and adjacent shared living room area. Sleeps up to 4 people in two bunkbeds. BYO bedding, towels, toiletries.
Red Maple Private Room (Accessible) | $1,080.00
Accessible room with private bathroom. Sleeps up to 4 people in two bunkbeds. BYO bedding, towels, toiletries.

Can't spend the week - or feel like coming one night early? Check out the pre-camp dinner & dance.
JAY UNGAR AND MOLLY MASON, Your Hosts! – fiddle, guitar, piano, waltzes and airs ensemble

Jay & Molly teach a Waltz and Slow Tunes ensemble class for all instruments at a wide range of levels. Tom Krumm assists working with Jay to teach harmonies and stylistic nuances for fiddles, mandolins and other melody instruments. Molly works with guitarists and other backup players to develop the chordal and rhythmic accompaniment. Molly will also lead a backup guitar class and Jay plans to offer mini-lessons during the week.
WILL MENTOR – contras, squares and callers workshop

A contra and square dance caller from Northern Vermont, Will is known for his clear teaching, upbeat wit, and relaxed stage presence. He loves to choreograph evenings with a variety of dances and tempos that at times surprise and always delight. Will's callers workshops follow his guiding principle, “It’s about the dancers!”
SUSAN KEVRA – English dance, contras, squares, French songs and dances

A born teacher, Susan loves sharing her passion for music and dance with students of all ages and backgrounds. As well as being a clarinetist and singer specializing in French café music and English Country dance tunes, Susan has composed more than dozen English dances, which are making their way onto dance floors and ball programs in the United States and England.
ERIC FAVREAU - Québécois fiddle

Éric Favreau comes from a family of traditional musicians. He has spent much time combing through Québécois traditional music archives and making field recordings of living traditional musicians. His playing is skillful and heartfelt and loves to share his deep knowledge Québécois traditional music with students of all levels.
SABIN JACQUES, Québécois button accordion

Sabin is one of Québec's leading master button accordionists, is also a fun and inspiring teacher. As well as teaching tunes and techniques, Sabin will join up with La Famille LeBlanc to play for dancing and help lead the "Cinq a Six," Northern Week's legendary and very inclusive daily Québécois jam session.
PAUL MARCHAND - Québécois guitar and songs

Paul Marchand has been a renowned musician in the traditional music world for the past 40 years. His approach to teaching the art of guitar accompaniment, traditional singing and podorythmie (foot tapping) is clear and inspiring. He has toured as a solo artist and with some of the top bands in Québec. We're excited to have him join Sabin Jacques and Eric Favreau to teach and play for dancers at Northern Week this year.
THE VOX HUNTERS - Pub singing, Social Singing, Irish fiddle, concertina

Hailing from the great state of Rhode Island, Armand Aromin and Benedict Gagliardi are seekers and singers of old songs, cultivators of local music, and chronic multi-instrumentalists. They are  strong tradition-bearers who are dedicated to sharing their infectious enthusiasm for harmony singing and instrumental music with others.

 
JOHN KRUMM - Community Chorus, composing and decomposing, contras and squares

John has played a key role in music and dancing at Ashokan since our first Fiddle & Dance Workshop in 1980.  He has delved deeply into why we humans sing and dance together and has an abiding interest in making music and dancing accessible and fun for all.
MAX NEWMAN guitar & mandolin

Max Newman is a well-regarded and well-traveled dance musician known for his engaging and attentive accompaniment. His playing draws particularly on New England, Irish, and Quebecois styles. As a teacher, he enjoys grounding traditional styles, exploring melodic inspiration, and finding creative expression.
TIM BALL - Contra, Irish and New York State fiddling

Tim is a fiddler, guitarist, producer, and teacher with deep roots in traditional New York, New England, and Irish-American fiddle music. His  clear and generous teaching style draws on more than 20 years performing in Celtic and contra dance bands and a lifetime of playing traditional fiddle music.
NOAH VANNORSTRAND – contra-style fiddle and mandolin

Noah’s driving fiddle, feet, and mandolin have been the rhythmic powerhouse behind bands like, Great Bear, Buddy System and The Faux Paws. Noah's special blend of Celtic and Applachian fiddling, is liberally spiced by his pure unfiltered improvisations. His joyful, fun loving presence, and willingness to share his skills and knowledge have made him a Northern Week regular since his first trip to Ashokan with his family at age 11.
lydia ievins – Swedish music and dance, fiddle, nyckelharpa, Scandi band

Deeply immersed in traditional Swedish music and dance, lydia is the only fiddler in the US who has earned both a bronze Zorn Medal and a "diplom efter brons" in Sweden, for her fiddling in the Uppland tradition. Her fiddle and nyckelharpa classes use great tunes as a medium to also teach rhythmic clarity, sensitive phrasing, and the rich harmonies that make the music irresistibly danceable.
AUDREY JABER – English fiddle, English band, contradance music

Hailing from Honolulu and now living in California, Audrey cut her folk teeth in the Boston area, attending Berklee College of Music and playing English, New England, Celtic, and Old Time music in a variety of bands in the vibrant New England dance community. Clear communication, love of the music and a great sense of fun are hallmarks of her teaching style.
TOM KRUMM – fiddle, mandolin, guitar, Experi-Mental Band

Tom's specializes in versatility. Growing up with classical training while also immersed in the world of traditional music at Ashokan and in his home and community. As a result Tom developed a knack and a passion for learning the intricacies of different styles of music. He loves help students find creative ways to cross and mix genres and mine their own musical ideas and backgrounds, especially in the Experi-Mental Band.
RACHEL BELL - English country dance music, French Band, French songs
Rachel is known for stretching the boundaries of the piano accordion, whether playing for contra dance, French BalFolk dance, English country dance, or a concert audience. She has a deep respect for centuries old musical traditions and draws on those traditions as a prolific composer of her own new music. Rachel's passion for sharing the music that feeds her soul infuses her teaching with joy.

JACQUELINE SCHWAB – English country dance band, creative piano stylings

If you love the sensitive and compelling piano playing in Ken Burns' PBS documentaries, you're already a fan of Jacqueline's playing. Jacqueline is also a renowned dance musician who loves to teach and has a special gift for finding and serving the needs of individual students.
DEL ORLOSKE - guided nature hikes, campus tours

Del enjoys sharing his vast knowledge of flora and fauna, along with the human and geological history of Ashokan's 385 historic acres. His engaging manner captivates all ages during his fun and informative walks along our scenic roads and woodland trails.

Additional Info:

Payment/Cancellation/Refund Policy

You may pay in full or hold your place with a deposit of 25% per person if registering 4 or more weeks before camp. Full payment is due 4 weeks before camp begins. To cancel your camp registration, email events@ashokancenter.org

• We retain $50 per person for cancellations requested up to 4 weeks before camp begins, and for COVID-related cancellations made at any date.

• We retain your 25% deposit between 4 and 2 weeks before camp.

• We retain the full registration amount within 2 weeks of camp.

Schedule Overview
Pricing & What's Included!

You may choose to pay up front or pay a deposit and balance. Balance payment is due 4 weeks before the event.

Registration includes all activities and meals. Lodging is optional and camping is free.

Children under 5 attend for free (under 3 for Family Camp). Campers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Food & Drink

All meals are included. You may indicate your dietary restrictions when registering. We make every effort to include a range of allergen-free dishes and to inform diners of meal ingredients.

The Ashokan Center is licensed to serve beer and wine in Esopus Lodge (the main building). The bar is generally open from late afternoon to early evening. Sorry, by law, guests are prohibited from bringing their own alcoholic beverages into this licensed building.

Lodging

LONGHOUSE BUNKS: Rooms hold up to 24 people and are designated women, men, or all gender. Place your belongings on a top or bottom bunk after you check in to claim it. Pillows are available, please bring your own blankets, sheets, pillowcases, and towels. There are a small number of light blankets for those bunkhouse residents who are unable to bring one of their own. If you will need us to provide one, please let us know well in advance.

PRIVATE ROOMS: There are a limited number of private rooms that must be reserved in advance at extra charge. Pillows are available, please bring your own sheets, pillowcases, and towels. There are light quilts in each private room.

CAMPSITES: Camping is available with access to bathrooms and outdoor showers. Please park by your campsite only if you plan to leave your car in place for the duration of the camp.

What To Bring

If you’re lodging with us please remember to bring a blanket and linens (or sleeping bag), towel, toiletries, soap, flashlight, earplugs (for light sleepers). There are light quilts in each private room and we have a small number of light blankets for bunkhouse residents who can’t bring one of their own. Let us know well in advance if you’ll need one.

Flashlight, recording device, camera (or maybe those are all your phone!)

Comfortable informal clothing for wet and dry weather. Some may also bring dressy, wild or fun clothing as well but that is up to you! There’s no laundry on site so bring enough clothes for the camp.

What Not To Bring
Please, no pets or drop-in guests.
Mail/Phone/WiFi

Incoming mail

Your Name c/o Ashokan Music & Dance 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge, NY 12461

Outgoing mail leaves each weekday at 4pm.

Music & Dance Camp Phone (845) 657-8333 x 3

Cell phone reception is available but spotty. Calls may be dropped but texts are reliably received.

High speed Wi-Fi is available in all buildings.

Directions & Transportation

Physical Address: Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge, NY 12461

DRIVING DIRECTIONS   Take NY State Thruway (1-87) to Kingston exit #19. From traffic circle take Route 28 West (toward Pine Hill). In 12 miles (shortly after Mobil & Citgo) turn left onto Reservoir Rd. Cross the Ashokan Reservoir, turn left at the Tee. Head down the hill, pass the first left (Rt 28A East) and merge onto 28A West. Take next left onto Beaverkill Rd. Follow Beaverkill for about one mile, then turn right into the Ashokan Center driveway and follow the signs.

AIRPORT  Albany, NY (ALB) is the closest major airport (about 1.5 hours away). Public transportation is available from the airport to the Kingston bus station, where you can take a taxi to Ashokan. Or contact us at least one month before your program begins for a list of people driving from the Albany area who may be able to give you a ride.

Covid Safety Policy

We recommend but no longer require everyone test for COVID-19 in the 24 hours before arrival. 

All refund requests due to a positive test, COVID exposure, or COVID-related concerns will be honored (less a $50 administrative fee).

We will provide onsite rapid testing upon request.

Additional FAQ's
CLICK to read more answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
CAMP WAITLIST & PRIVATE LODGING WAITLIST (only join if ADD CAMPER button at top of page is disabled or your preferred lodging choice is greyed out in that form.)

If there are no camp spots or private rooms available above, you may add your name to this waitlist. If space opens up we will contact you.

The Ashokan Center builds community through shared experiences in nature, history, music and art. We have hosted traditional Music & Dance Camps at our 385 acre nature preserve for over 40 years. In 2020 we learned how to host them online and in 2021 we began to reimagine how to gather in person once again.

Come join the Ashokan family to celebrate, learn, connect, deepen your music, make new friends, and brighten your day. Our events are open to all folks, all ages and all orientations.

M&D Need-Based “Pay it Forward” SCHOLARSHIPS We are holding 5 deeply discounted spots (includes tuition, meals & bunk) to provide a learning opportunity to gigging musicians and music, vocal, and dance teachers who will be sharing out their newly learned skills with a wider community. We prioritize new applicants each year and notify all applicants within 1 month before camp begins.

NEED HELP?

EMAIL: events@ashokancenter.org
CALL 845-657-8333 x3

Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions about camp!

Thank you to the Martin Foundation for supporting Ashokan Music & Dance Camps.

Ashokan Center programming is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature

Copyright 2024 - Ashokan Center