Carnegie Hall is pleased to announce the return of its Appalachian Heritage music series with two eight-week classes – Beginner Fiddle and Clawhammer Banjo for Adults – led by longtime teaching artist and award-winning musician Dennis Ott. Classes begin Tuesday, Apr. 21, and continue weekly on Apr. 28; May 5, 12, 19, 26; and June 2 and 9, offering participants a rare opportunity to learn traditional West Virginia music from one of the region’s most respected instructors.
A fixture in the state’s old-time music community, Dennis Ott has taught at Carnegie Hall since 2005 and is the owner and instructor of Olde Music Workshop. He has guided generations of students in fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and other traditional instruments, and his musicianship has been recognized with multiple awards at the Vandalia Festival in Charleston and the Hammons Family Fiddle & Banjo Contest in Pocahontas County. Ott’s teaching emphasizes learning by ear, musical phrasing, and the cultural lineage of Appalachian sound, making his classes both accessible and deeply rooted in tradition.
The Beginner Fiddle class meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and introduces students to the fundamentals of the instrument, including bowing, fingering, and simple tunes drawn from West Virginia’s musical heritage. No prior experience is required, and a limited number of loaner instruments are available for the duration of the series. Immediately following, Clawhammer Banjo for Adults meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., welcoming both beginners and those with some experience. Students will explore the traditional clawhammer style, focusing on rhythm, technique, and the distinctive ways the banjo is played throughout the region. Participants should bring their own banjo for this class.
Both classes are open to ages 16 and older and limited to eight students each to ensure personalized instruction. Registration is $195 for members and $225 for nonmembers, with automatic scholarships available that reduce the cost to just $75 for all participants. These scholarships make the series an especially accessible entry point for anyone interested in learning old-time music.
Carnegie Hall is proud to continue its commitment to preserving and sharing Appalachian traditions through hands-on learning, community engagement, and the joy of making music together. Early registration is encouraged due to the small class sizes and strong community interest in traditional arts programming.
