Albuquerque Folk Festival Logo

The next ABQ FOLK FEST will be September 28 and 29, 2024 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. We've left up 2023 information, so you can see what our festival is like. Check this space around June or July to see what's happening at our 2024 festival. Plus, sign up for our newsletter. In the meantime, please look at our Community Resource page to see folk related events happening during the year.

2023 Workshops

There will be four workshop tents this year, and we're working hard to get the schedule finalized.

Thanks to Scott Reeder for organizing the instrumental workshops and Irma Reeder for organizing the vocal workshops.


Workshop 1

TimeSessionNameDescription
10:30 AMCeltic Mandolin TechniqueLouis Scuderi

Interested in getting into Celtic music on your mandolin or bringing your playing to the next level? In this workshop, Louis Scuderi of Mandology will cover traditional rhythms, including jigs, reels, slip jigs, and more, different options for ornamentation, and even learn some new tunes!

11:30 AMBackup Guitar (Intermediate)Dave Para

Backup guitar for advanced players - Backing up old-time fiddle tunes has been some of my best improvisational playing. It's primarily timing and voicing. I can show you some creative ways to move around the neck and affect a tune dynamically beyond simple -- though important -- rhythm and chords.

12:30 PMPenny Whistle (Beginner)Cleve Sharp

The penny whistle is a terrific introduction to playing Celtic wind instruments. An introductory instrument is inexpensive and you can quickly learn a few tunes to play for yourself or in session. Join us to learn to play a few tunes. Have lots of fun. A penny whistle in the key of D is required - purchase an inexpensive one at class.

1:30 PMSound Like the Carter FamilyKellie Allen and Pete Peterson

We will concentrate on one or two songs and deconstruct them in depth, working both on vocal techniques (the vocal harmonies that made the Carter Family sound so distinctive and recognizable) and on the guitar techniques developed by Maybelle Carter.

2:30 PMFingerstyle Banjo IntroKellie Allen and Pete Peterson

Using TAB as an aid, we will teach one or two songs using thumb-lead two finger picking, supplementing this by showing three chords up the neck which can be used as a second harmony banjo part.

3:30 PMMixing Old-Time, Bluegrass, and Irish MusicCharm City Junction

Charm City Junction will describe the various genres and the similarities/differences amongst how each style is jammed with a goal to show folks how you can play different styles in the same jam. It’s easy to remain in your respective genre lane but it’s fun to instill confidence in folks that they can jam in a style they may not be as familiar with. We’ll play at various tempos to make it inclusive of all skill levels.

Workshop 2 (Singing)

TimeSessionNameDescription
10:30 AMMulticultural Group Harmony SingABQ Choir Magic

World Music, Contemporary, Rounds, Spirituals. ALL VOICES WELCOME! No experience necessary. Learn songs by ear, in 3-part harmony. Sponsored by Albuquerque's unique ABQ Choir Magic, an Ubuntu community choir where "singing is our birthright" successfully based in ABQ for the past 10 years.

11:30 AMWomen’s A Cappella and BarbershopRio A Cappella

Rio A Cappella is a women's barbershop group. We’ll be teaching the basics about the difference between barbershop and other a cappella music, demo some music, and teach you a simple barbershop piece.

12:30 PMShape Note SingingShape Note Singers of New Mexico

Experience a way of reading and singing music that dates to colonial times. Learn about this unique tradition while singing in four-part "a cappella" harmony. All vocal parts are welcome. No experience is necessary.

1:30 PMBarbershop SingingEnchanted Mesa Show Chorus

This a cappella chorus creates exciting performances that push the envelope of the barbershop art form. Come learn about female barbershop singing and join in the experience.

2:30 PMAt the Cajun-Creole CrossroadsDirk Powell and Cedric Watson

Dirk and Cedric will explore the deep history and mutual influences of Cajun and Creole music and culture.

3:30 PMCowboy SongsSteve Cormier

Steve Cormier did ranch, and farm work for nine years toured the US and Canada singing cowboy songs and telling stories. He holds a Ph.D. in American Studies with a dissertation on New Mexico ranching. Steve will start with a round robin sing, so bring an instrument and a working cowboy song! Steve has a new album: Steve Cormier -- Wichita, Albuquerque, and Silver City.

Workshop 3

TimeSessionNameDescription
10:30 AMHow to Sing Harmony LinesJanice Belflower

As a choir teacher and vocal coach, Janice has many opportunities to train singers to find and refine harmony lines in their singing. In this workshop, Janice will present various methods for hearing harmonies and provide suggestions on how to build harmony lines that support and add interest to a melody. Participants can expect to listen to examples, sing particular ear-training exercises, and be given the opportunity to better refine their own harmony singing skills. This workshop is perfect for singers who have always wanted to sing harmony lines but want some help getting started.

11:30 AMMountain Dulcimer (Beginner)Irma Reeder

Also known as the Appalachian or lap Dulcimer, this instrument is one of the easiest to get started on! We’ll review some basics then enjoy a slow jam of traditional tunes. You’ll also see different types of dulcimers and hear some non-traditional ways of playing. There will be some loaners available for participants. Irma is a Winfield finalist and cofounded the New Mexico Dulcimer Association.

12:30 PMSocial Justice Songs from the AmericasLasotras

Lasotras will share songs from several different genres of social justice music from the Americas. Bring your instruments to play along, we will provide words and chords. We will also share some of our favorite artists and links where you can find a wealth of social justice music in English and Spanish.

1:30 PMPiano AccordionNathan & Jessie

Nathan of Nathan & Jessie will help you understand the bass button system on Piano Accordion. What to do with the left hand vs. the right hand. Improving dexterity and ideas for improvisation.

2:30 PMHammered Dulcimer (Beginner)Scott Reeder

Have you ever been curious about all those strings and the pretty sounds that float from a hammered dulcimer? Come see various ways the instrument is played, how the notes are laid out, and play some tunes yourself! Loaner dulcimers will be available. Scott cofounded the New Mexico Dulcimer Association.

3:30 PMKlezmer MusicBeth Cohen

Klezmer refers to the dance music of the eastern European Jewish people. Learn to play a klezmer dance tune with Beth Cohen: a long-time ABQ music teacher and folk musician, Community Klezmer band director since 1995, co-producer of KlezmerQuerque & band member of The Rebbe's Orkestra & Goddess of Arno. All levels of musicians and all instruments are welcome.

Workshop 4

TimeSessionNameDescription
10:30 AMBodhrán (Beginner)Glenn Maxwell

In this hands-on workshop, Glenn will teach bodhrán, the traditional Irish drum. He will cover the basics of the instrument, the different playing styles, playing in sessions, basic rhythms patterns to Celtic music, and developing your own playing styles. Bring your own bodhrán, or we’ll provide practice loaner bodhráns at no charge.

11:30 AMClawhammer BanjoWayne Shrubsall

Wayne Shrubsall of the Adobe Brothers will start by working with basic clawhammer then add in the melody teaching melodic clawhammer style. Bring your banjo (not required)!

12:30 PMBluegrass FiddleHigher Ground Bluegrass

Pat Mahoney of Higher Ground Bluegrass will be teaching the fiddler's role in a bluegrass band, fiddle starts and stops, fiddle back-up phrases, then finish up with some great fiddle tunes.

1:30 PMIrish FiddleEileen Sullivan

In this introductory workshop on traditional Irish fiddle, you will learn a lively tune or two and be introduced to style, rhythm and ornamentation in Irish music.

2:30 PMJarana JarochaOtilio Ruiz

Taller Jarana Jarocha Veracruzana

This instrument is used in the south region of Veracruz Mexico. The Jarana Jarocha normally accompanies the Jarocho Harp. I will be teaching the most common strums in the jarocho music. We will learn traditional Veracruzano songs like La Bamba, El Cascabel, el Colas.

3:30 PMGarry Harrison TunesVirginia Creepers

Fiddler Garry Harrison was a tune collector in his home state of Illinois, and his field recordings of midwest musicians added a wealth of knowledge to the history of American old-time music. He also wrote fiddle tunes that, although “modern” -- 1970’s through the early 2000’s -- have entered the old-time repertoire around the US and beyond. In this participatory workshop we’ll explore 4 or 5 tunes that Harrison wrote.