*optional august 19
August 20*- 24, 2026
Lyons, Colorado
Theme
Fiddle school tunes + twin fiddles
Everyone is embraced by the Fiddle School community at this camp and made to feel welcome. There is excellent instruction, a great staff and good food.
- anne a.
Meet us where musical friendships are forged.
arrive relaxed
With practice materials provided beforehand,
arrive fully prepared and free to focus on having fun.
Work closely with National Fiddle Champions in small classes tailored to your level.
Learn
Feel supported and welcomed in every jam, and leave with jamming skills you can use.
Jam
With new knowledge and new lifelong friends, your adventure continues long after "farewell."
Leave fulfilled
Everyone is embraced by the Fiddle School community at this camp and made to feel welcome. There is excellent instruction, a great staff and good food.
- anne a.
Hear your sound blossom.
a seasoned player, or somewhere in between.
• Electives and Backup Classes
• Daily Masterclasses for Every Level
• Relaxed Performance Opportunities
• Welcoming, Guided Jams
• Small-Group Instruction
• Personalized Guidance
• Theme: Fiddle School Tunes & Twin Fiddle
Our Philosophy
A great fiddle camp is spent playing tunes, not catching up.
We send you learning materials ahead of time, so you can arrive ready to grow through classes and jamming.
If you want to take your fiddling to the next level, have fun doing it, and enjoy an incredibly supportive community in a beautiful setting, this camp is for you!
- baxter b.
A great fiddle camp is spent playing tunes, not playing catch-up.
click on a teacher to learn more.
suzy thompson
Fiddle
julian oliver
Fiddle, Guitar
Mandolin, Guitar
adam kulakow
Camp Staff
Katie Glassman
Fiddle, Guitar
sarah kenner
Coordinator
brian kenney
Cook
bryan cooperrider
Jams
Learn from the best!
abroad, earning recognition as Academy of Western Artists' Vocalist of the Year, and 6 national fiddle titles.
As the founder of Fiddle School, Katie created a groundbreaking approach to learning: the first step-by-step, seven-pillar method for fiddling. Since 2018, her innovative online academy has guided thousands of fiddlers worldwide to develop artistry, fluency, and confidence in old-time Texas fiddling, Western Swing, and early jazz.
katie glassman
(Venice, CA) is a renowned and decorated Western Swing & Texas-style fiddler, accomplished singer and songwriter, and highly sought-after educator.
As a fiddler and vocalist for Katie Glassman and Snapshot, she recorded multiple acclaimed albums blending the blues, Western swing, jazz, and old-time Texas fiddling. She also toured and recorded with the nationally celebrated trio The Western Flyers, performing on stages across the U.S. and
Learn from the best!
Suzy apprenticed in Louisiana with Cajun master fiddler Dewey Balfa and spent 20 years playing dances with Danny Poullard and the California Cajun Orchestra, recording two award-winning albums for Arhoolie Records. During the pandemic she created an online old time fiddle instruction series called Fiddles at Four, and has been an in-person fiddle instructor at Centrum’s Country Blues Week, Black Pot Camp, Augusta Cajun-Creole Week, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Alabama Folkschool and many other camps and festivals.
suzy thompson
(Berkeley, CA) is a blues fiddler and vocalist who has spent the past 50 years delving deep into pre-war blues fiddling, Louisiana Cajun and Creole dance music and hillbilly blues and ragtime fiddling.
Her blues fiddling was highlighted on Geoff Muldaur’s “Texas Sheiks” album; she has also worked with Maria Muldaur, Jim Kweskin, Del Rey and Steve James, and many other roots music greats.
Learn from the best!
julian oliver
is a Boston based fiddler and roots musician. Growing up surrounded by bluegrass, folk, and Western music, Julian developed an early affinity for the fiddle at age five, building a foundation in classical technique before shifting his focus to Texas Style fiddling.
Julian studied for many years with Katie Glassman, developing his technique and passion for the rich tradition of fiddling. Influenced by players like Terry Morris, Major Franklin, Benny Thomasson, and Jimmie Don Bates, he became
active in the fiddle contest scene, winning the Colorado State Fiddle Championship for the first time at age eleven.
More recently, Julian has expanded his musicianship through a love of guitar, singing, and songwriting. He has toured Europe performing swing and country fiddle and won his age division at the 2023 National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest. Julian is currently the recipient of a full scholarship at the Berklee College of Music, where he has had the opportunity to study with musical greats Bruce Molsky, Jason Anick, Joe K. Walsh, and Luis Perdomo.
Learn from the best!
adam kulakow
(Venice, CA) has played with singers, songwriters, and ensembles all over Southern California, alongside a career as a film & TV writer, producer, and director.
He performs as a duo with fiddler Katie Glassman and teaches performance and mindset tools through her Fiddle School, as well as guitar and mandolin accompaniment, jamming skills, and repertoire at camps and special events. Adam is the mandolin winner of the 2024 Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest.
In 2023, he wrote or co-wrote songs while playing mandolin, guitar, banjo, and ukulele for the album Alive Tonight by the acoustic Americana band the Wholesome. Whether it’s leading a hootenanny, playing backup in a fiddle contest, or teaching a tune, Adam is all about lifting people on their musical journeys, having fun while leveling up.
Learn from the best!
Fiddle School's Colorado Mountain Retreat was the most impactful, positive, powerful, organized and focused fiddle camp I have ever experienced!
- peggy w.
Find your mountain home away from home.
sunshine mountain lodge
18078 CO-7
Lyons, CO 80540
Full Bathrooms • Kitchens • RV Parking
Fireplaces & Fire Pits • Hiking Trail • Hammocks
Fireplaces & Fire Pits Hiking Trail • Hammocks
You’ve got a whole group of friends just waiting for you here, and you’ll step up your playing more than you’d believe.
- joe d.
august 20*-24, 2026
sunshine mountain lodge
Lyons, CO 80540
Meals
Tailored Instruction
Preparation Materials
Professional Photo Portrait
T-Shirt
+$150 per person
Guitar Rental +$50
Bring a Partner +$650
The Details
*Mastery Certification Students:
Live performances will be offered on the extra day only.
included
add-ons
rates
Payment plans are available upon request.
all levels welcome!
