Watermelon Pickers’ Workshops

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC MASTERCLASS

Friday, September 11, 2026

fiddlers seated in a circle at a camp at the Watermelon Workshop Music Camp
musicians jamming together under the pick-nic shelter at the Wateremlon Pickers' Fest.
banjo players seated in a circle playing music together at teh Watermelon Workshop Music camp

Improve your playing and learn to jam!

Make the most of your festival experience by joining the Watermelon Pickers’ Workshop. Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time or looking to refine your skills, this one-day music camp offers something for all levels. Learn new tunes, improve your jamming, and get ready for campfire sessions—or even the band contest!

Participants must have a 3-day or Friday Ticket and a Workshop Ticket.

The Workshop Ticket does not include General Admission or Camping Passes, which must be purchased separately.

Watermelon Workshop Schedule

Settle in and set up camp with an Early-Entry pass on Wednesday, or on Thursday morning. Then head over to the Pick-nic shelter to join the fun! Workshops begin at 10:30.

Two women playing mandolins at their campsite

9:30–11:30: Instrument-specific workshops for banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass or mandolin. Stick with one instrument or divide your time between two instruments. There will be something new to learn, whether you are a beginner or an advanced picker!

11:30–12:30: Join the group and learn to jam! Instrument groups will come together for a jam. Share the tunes and skills you learned throughout the morning and get ready to pick around the campfire or join the band contest on Saturday! Depending on your level, you can join an advanced group, or get your feet wet at a slow jam. Move from group to group to find the best fit!

Instructors and Instruments

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen

Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

Learn from members of Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen!

  • MANDOLIN – Frank Solivan
  • BANJO – Mike Munford
  • GUITAR – Jack Dunlap
  • BASS – Cody Brown
  • FIDDLE – Sarah Larsen*
Plus, additional teachers will be added as needed.
Beginners through advanced players are welcome.

*Sarah is not in Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

WATERMELON SEEDS AFTER-SCHOOL PICKERS’ ACADEMY

Picking and Jamming Academy for Kids!

Thursday, September 10 & Friday, September 11, 2026

Special Performance on the Mainstage Saturday, September 12!

Jack Dunlap and his son JJ seated at a campsite, plays guitar with his young son, JJ, who is playing mandolin.
A kid and his friend playing music at a campsite

Calling All Young Pickers!

Are you a young fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, or bass picker between the ages of 7 and 14? The Watermelon Seeds After-School Pickers’ is for you!

Participants should have some experience with their instruments, such as being able to play simple songs like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or knowledge of a few common chords. Classical musicians who want to try a new genre are welcome too. Instruction will be adapted to the students’ playing levels.

This after-school academy for young musicians takes place on Thursday, September 10, and Friday, September 11, from 4:30-6:30 PM. Plus, show off everything you’ve learned on the Watermelon Pickers’ Fest mainstage on Saturday morning, September 12.

The Watermelon Seeds Young Pickers’ Academy is led by fiddler and instructor extraordinaire, Sarah Larsen, and her team of expert teachers.

This is a pay-what-you-can class with a suggested donation of $50. No young picker will be turned away due to financial constraints. Scroll to the “Donations” section of the tickets page to reserve your spot. Want to sponsor a young picker? Donations are welcome to help keep the music alive for the next generation of young musicians.

After-School Pickers’ participants must have a guardian on the festival grounds. While we hope you will join us for the full festival, please reach out via email if you will only be attending the Pickers’ Academy.

Watermelon Seeds Schedule

Sarah Larsen leads a jam and plays guitar

Thursday 4:00-4:30 PM: Registration

A parent or guardian must accompany each young musician to check in.

Thursday 4:30–6:30 PM:

  • Introductions: Meet the teacher and other students
  • Instrument-specific instruction: For banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass or mandolin.
  • Tune Teach: Learn a tune by ear and discover variations based on your playing level.

Friday 4:00-4:30 PM: Check-in

Friday 4:30–6:30 PM:

  • Catch up: Ask questions and review
  • Instrument-specific instruction: For banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass or mandolin.
  • Sing: Learn lyrics and sing a tune, then add instruments.

Saturday Morning:

Meet at the mainstage with your instrument at 9:30 to prepare for your debut on the Watermelon Pickers’ Fest Mainstage! The group will play together and show off what they’ve learned.

FAQs


Beginners are welcome!

Whether you are fairly new to your instrument, switching to a new instrument, or trying a new genre, you’ll have a great time.

Kids attending the Watermelon Seed After-School Pickers’ Academy should have some experience on their instrument, such as being able to play a simple song, like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “Happy Birthday.” Being able to strum some basic chords helps too.

There’s always more to learn.

Improve, learn new tunes, and make connections with our expert instructors. You’ll be glad you did!

Kids aged 12 and up who are advanced musicians are welcome to join the Watermelon Workshop Masterclass with the grownups.

Feel free to bring multiple instruments and move from group to group, or stay with one group for instrumental instruction and another for the jam.

Teens who already have playing experience are welcome to attend the Watermelon Workshop as long as they have a guardian present on the festival grounds.

Students attending the Watermelon Seeds After-School Pickers’ Academy need to have a guardian on-site. We hope you’ll bring the whole family to enjoy the festival. If you will not be staying for the rest of the festival and are ONLY attending the academy, please contact us for a guardian ticket.

We will do our best to accommodate you! Most of our teachers are multi-instrumentalists, and we will find a way for you to join. We are still gauging interest for a dobro group, so please let us know if this is what you’d like to learn.