Registration is open for the 2025 Targhee Music Camp. Please register ASAP, as class sizes are limited. We look forward to seeing you in August!
Imagine an afternoon in the Tetons. A head full of new tunes, rubbing elbows with your musical heroes, a community of new friends, outstanding views and great food. Free time to jam, rehearse or hike. Sounds like the prescription for sanity in this crazy world. Sounds like the syllabus for the annual Targhee Music Camp!
Four days of high level instruction
Hearty meals and comfortable accommodations
Lots of jamming
Evening performances
World-class setting
Top-notch instructors
"The excitement of artists, past participants, and musicians who have always wanted to attend the pilgrimage to Targhee Music Camp has snow balled into an avalanche of joy that this event is returning to the Tetons. We can’t wait to hear music on the mountain again."
2025 Class Descriptions
Lindsay Lou
We are thrilled to have the incredible Lindsay Lou teaching our singing class this year. What a great joy to welcome her to Targhee Music Camp for the first time.
The Acoustic Music of Jerry Garcia & David Grisman
Let's look at some originals and traditionals of these two icons. Joe Craven recorded and performed with Jerry Garcia & David Grisman from 1990 - 1994 in "Garcia Grisman" and he will bring insight and ideas to your understanding of their music throughout the week. We'll create a band (or bands) playing together if time allows.
All string instruments are welcome. Maybe some limited percussion if the interest is there.
Ability Level: Advanced Beginner (good grasp of chords and rhythm) up to Beginning Advanced (able to learn melodies and improvise).
This class is for beginning guitar and mandolin players to build confidence and learn about the joys of jamming and playing with others. We will cover the fundamentals of jamming while learning the songs in the Camp songbook. Major keys, minor keys, 4/4 timing, waltzes, arranging songs, harmony singing, rhythm, groove, kickoffs and endings are all topics to be discussed with Jambassador Tom Murphy. Get ready to have some fun!
Ben Winship | Chris Coole
Open to all stringed instruments. Playing level: should be able to play 3 chord songs in different keys. Students should have some familiarity with old time stringband and bluegrass repertoire, be willing to sing with a group and, if playing a melody instrument, be game to take simple solos.
This class will select, arrange and work-up a number of stringband songs. Each participant will take part in creating an ensemble lead by Ben Winship and Chris Coole. Expect to learn about arranging, group playing, dynamics and even making up your own tunes.
Caroline Oakley | Simon Leone | Ellie Davis | Tashi Litch
We are very pleased to offer a children’s track again this year with four great instructors. The class is for young musicians 8-14 years old who play an acoustic instrument (violin/fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, bass, cello, viola). The class will run from 9:30-11:30am each day of camp. Caroline Oakley, Simon, Ellie and Tashi have lots of experience facilitating music with young people in a fun and accessible way. The class will focus on learning traditional tunes and songs, and the ins and outs of playing music in a stringband setting. It will be helpful if children know some of the basic chords on their instruments. Purchasing this children’s class track is only for 2 hours each day and does not confirm attendance at the other workshops and concerts for the child or parents. Also, if your child is already picking up a storm and wants to play all day, they may be ready to join the grown ups, contact Thomas.
John Lowell
We welcome back John Lowell, one of the great songwriters from nearby Montane, to teach songwriting this Summer. John has been writing great songs for years, and we look forward to having him share his process and knowledge.
Reeb Willms | Courtney Hartman | Ross Martin Flatpicks are going to fly! Ross Martin will be teaching the advanced group. Courtney Hartman will be teaching the intermediates. Reeb Willms will be teaching the beginning strummers.
Bonnie Sims | Caleb Klauder | Andrew Collins
All of our mandolin teachers will be joining us for the first time this year, and we are excited to have them. Andrew Collins will teach the advanced players. Caleb Klauder will teach the intermediates. Bonnie Sims will teach the beginning players.
Eve Panning | Brian Wicklund | John Showman | Paul Lee
We are excited to welcome our fiddle teachers this year. John Showman (Advanced), Brian Wicklund (Intermediate), and Eve Panning (Beginners) will cover a lot of ground. Paul Lee will be around to help out and teach workshops.
Joy Adams | Roy Andrade
Dr. Joy Adams, a Grammy And Emmy Award-winning Multi-instrumentalist will be teaching Old-Time Banjo. We also welcome back Roy Andrade, who will be teaching workshops and helping out around camp.
There will be a number of workshops though out camp that will give you a chance to learn from many different instructors. All participants have a primary instrument that is their main class and then the workshops are all electives and cover lots of different topics. There will be a sound workshop again this year.
We are once again offering students to pay for a “plus one” for your spouse, partner etc. This “add on” registration allows for that person to attend the evening concerts, morning meetings, workshops, square dance, and go up the lift to the mountain top jam, but not sit next to you in your primary class.
Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival
The 35th Annual Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival takes place August 8th, 9th and 10th, 2025 immediately following the conclusion of the Targhee Music Camp. This is a world-class festival, offering music in a beautiful setting. The festival is separate from Targhee Music Camp. Make your arrangements early.
Lindsay Lou
The Acoustic Music of Jerry Garcia & David Grisman
