After-School Bluegrass Club
Bringing music education to kids in their local community.
CBA’s After-school Bluegrass Club brings music instruction to underserved California youth through weekly after-school sessions for children in grades 4-8. Sessions run throughout the school year, and include instrument lessons, singing and ensemble playing.
South Humboldt County
After-School Bluegrass Club With Help’s on the Way
Garberville, CA
We’re proud to continue our ABC program in partnership with Help’s on the Way, a local non-profit based in Garberville. This opportunity is an excellent way to learn how to play an instrument, make new friends, and build a new community of music. This session will focus on learning to play guitar and introduction to fiddle.
This program is for both beginners and for kids with musical experience. Books will be provided by the program. Instruments will be provided as needed.
At the end of the class every Friday we invite the community to play music with the kids – all ages and levels of players are welcome – kid and adult! Please bring your instrument and join us for a Friday picking, with a lot of bluegrass, food and drinks for sale after the class, every Friday at 5pm at the Octagon in Briceland, CA.
Dates: Oct 3 – Nov 21, 2025. 8 week course
Cost: $125 for 8-week session (scholarships and sibling discounts available)
Location: Beginnings School, Octagon building, Briceland CA
Time: Fridays 2:30 – 3:30pm and 4:00 – 5:00pm
Ages: 4th-8th Graders
Contact: helpsontheway2023@gmail.com
West Sonoma County
After-School Bluegrass Club With Folk Farm Music School
Sebastopol, CA
This exciting new class invites 4th–8th graders to discover the joy of bluegrass jamming. Taught by a team of experienced musicians and music educators, the course immerses students in the tradition of singing and playing together in an ensemble. Along the way, every child will learn the basics of both mandolin and guitar, giving them the chance to try out two of bluegrass music’s core instruments. Using a collection of Bluegrass songs and Old Time tunes, students will also build foundational skills on their voices and instruments, learn how to play as part of a group, and take their first steps into soloing.
More than just a music class, this is a chance to grow in confidence, make new friends, and develop a lifelong love of music in a supportive, fun-filled environment. This class is offered in partnership with The California Bluegrass Association and Junior Appalachian Musicians. It is open to both beginners and kids with musical experience. Books are provided, and instruments are available if needed.
Dates: October 15th – December 10th 2025. 8 week course (No class Thanksgiving week)
Cost: $125 for 8-week session (scholarships and sibling discounts available)
Location: Sebastopol Community Cultural Center (Youth Annex), 425 Morris St, Sebastopol, CA
Time: Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm
Ages: 4th-8th Graders
Contact: folkfarmmusic@gmail.com
WHY BLUEGRASS?
Bluegrass is a genre particularly well-suited for children’s music education: it is accessible with a few simple chords, easy tunes and portable. It’s based on ensemble playing – melodies and rhythm are shared between groups, formally or on the fly. It’s sophisticated: as kid’s gain in music skill, they find there is no limit to innovation and technique – youth are inspired by extraordinary peers, who learn to “shred” on their guitar, mandolin, fiddle and banjo solos.
And perhaps most importantly, the roots of bluegrass are a microcosm of America: Tight harmony
vocals drawn from Gospel choirs, deep Southern Blues from African American traditions, Celtic and Appalachian melodies, and the drive and syncopation of Chicago jazz. In the last 30 years, CBA has provided instruction and inspiration to over 1,000 youngsters, nurtured several talented young musicians to national stardom as professional musicians, and set the stage for hundreds more for a lifelong love of playing and singing songs together with friends new and old.