Angelica Branum
When Angelica Branum first attended California Bluegrass Association Youth Programs, she was just a kid discovering the joy of playing bluegrass.
Surrounded by other young pickers, mentors, and experienced musicians, Angelica quickly found something more than music. She found a welcoming community that encouraged her to grow as both a musician and a person.
CBA’s youth programs—including Kids on Bluegrass, youth jams, and festival activities—create spaces where young players can learn directly from experienced musicians, perform for audiences, and build friendships rooted in traditional music.
For Angelica, the experience proved transformative.
“It changed the course of my life,” she says.
Today, Angelica is a professional fiddler and educator, and a graduate of East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies program, where she now helps pass the tradition on to new generations of musicians.
Her journey is just one example of how CBA youth programs nurture young musicians—helping them build skills, confidence, and a lifelong connection to the bluegrass community.
Through these programs, CBA has helped over 1,500 next generation bluegrass musicians continue to grow, ensuring that the tradition remains vibrant for years to come.