Mayfly had an incredible trip to the Northwest in June, a lifelong dream for Julia and I. With a few sporadic regional gigs throughout the year, we plan on taking off again for an annual 'Vacatour' this summer.
Despite my busy music making, I have jumped back on board with the Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture as Director. Despite my initial reluctance towards office work and coordinating events (constantly), it has been an incredibly motivated year fueled by passion and love of music. The Summit School has managed to have great success: Winter Fest 2014 with Bruce Molsky, Spring Adult Classes, Trad Camp for Kids in July, Fall Adult Classes and a brand new after school music program that enrolled over 50 kids this fall! I don't know how it happened, but I am happily residing in a state of wonder with a continued interest in bringing these fantastic programs to our community. Thank you all for having faith in the Summit School and our goal to strengthen our community and bring people together through group traditional music and dance programs.
After all that has been said (written) - I sit here thinking about some creative goals for 2015. I've been working on Christian Howes' Creative Strings Academy exercises to advance my improvisation skills for the Green Mountain Playboys band. I'm also committed to learning more old-time tunes, just for fun. And playing more banjo in general. Finish some songs I've started to write on guitar, compose another a cappella choral piece, finish the American Harmony Singing Book project I've been working on for two years (a series of four books with written music and harmonies for my favorite folk songs - accompanied by CDs) and do some home recording with my new equipment. I want to paint and knit and read as well.
But fortunately, we've got our whole lives to become great artists and musicians.
Lastly, I have a new favorite book: Alan Lomax, a Biography written by