Junior Appalachian Musicians
Each Tuesday afternoon, from 4-6pm, the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center comes alive as the sound of the next generation of old-time and bluegrass musicians fills the campus. School age students (3rd grade and up) gather together in small groups to participate in weekly lessons and Jam sessions featuring instruction in banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, and the upright bass.
In addition to weekly instrument lessons, the Yadkinville Junior Appalachian Musician program features enrichment sessions in which students learn Appalachian history and music, music theory, and other skills applicable to their lessons. Semester showcases, where students get the opportunity to perform on the Willingham Theater stage, are held at the end of each semester.
New students can call 336.679.2941 or email info@yadkinarts.org for more information
This Project was supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. www.NCArts.org.
Meet Our Instructors
Tim Harrison (Bass Instructor/Program Director):
From Yadkinville, NC, Tim got his musical start with the piano and brass instruments at an early age. He was a member of the Forbush High School Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band where he played different instruments in each (Sousaphone, Trumpet, French Horn & Trombone). He was also the winner of the John Phillips Sousa award his senior year of high school. As a member of the Pride of the ACC Marching Tarheels, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With his dad’s influence, he began playing the upright bass at the age of 18, never turned back and has played with various Bluegrass, Country and Rock groups over the past 30+ years. He is a founding member of the Triad’s popular Bluegrass/Americana group None of the Above which formed in 1994 where he has also been the sound engineer for the band. He has had the privilege to appear on over 15 recording projects with various groups over the years. One project, an all-male acapella shape-note recording, was selected to be stored at the Smithsonian Archives in Washington, DC. Since the Willingham Theater opened in 2012, Tim has served as the resident sound engineer and was recently awarded the title of technical director as well as production manager.
*CHECK OUT more information about Tim and Jon’s band None of the Above HERE
Jon Cornatzer (Banjo/Dobro Instructor)
From Clemmons, NC, Jon is a seasoned professional and multi-instrumentalist who has spent years on the road as a performer. Jon, a self taught musician, is also an experienced instructor who offers private lessons. Jon has served as a guest instructor and guest artist for the Yadkinville JAM program and will start serving as the banjo instructor in Fall 2023. As a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture Jon is not only musically talented but is also well versed overall artistically. He currently is the lead banjo player in the band, None of the Above and easily shares duties on lead and harmony vocals, while providing a succinct, dynamic sound and creative leap instrumentally. The ability to migrate between traditional and progressive bluegrass styles, highlights Jon’s expertise and musicianship, while adding a signature element to the established sound of None Of The Above.
*CHECK OUT more information about Tim and Jon’s band None of the Above HERE
Tommy Chandler (Guitar Instructor):
Tommy Chandler was born into a world of Bluegrass, gospel and old-time music. He grew up following his father, Luther Chandler and his band, the Lincoln County Partners to gigs and jams all over North Carolina. Tommy began his own musical journey playing banjo at age 11, where he eventually started competing at fiddlers conventions around the state and beyond. He transitioned to guitar around 18 years old after wanting to play an instrument that could easily accompany his singing as well being highly influenced by bluegrass guitar legends such as Tony Rice, David Grier and Bryan Sutton. Ever since then, guitar and singing has been his number one focus. Tommy has continued to work on his technique, musical vocabulary and creativity and believes there is always more to learn. He also has some experience playing bass and mandolin.
Tommy has had the privilege of playing bluegrass nationally and internationally in Australia where he won at Australia’s prestigious Tamworth Country Music Festival, winning the National Guitar Championship of 2017.
Tommy loves to share his passion for bluegrass and its traditional roots to his community. He is a big advocate for strengthening and broadening Appalachian music through teaching and sharing his knowledge to all ages and anyone who’ll lend an ear. He knows the music his father played and taught him, as well as so many before him should be passed down from generation to generation to continue to nurture this truly iconic music that so many of us love.
David Crawford (Mandolin & Fiddle Instructor):
David Crawford of Mount Airy, North Carolina, is a longtime musician, educator, and advocate for traditional music in Northwest North Carolina. A mandolin player, David spent many years performing with the regional bluegrass band None of the Above, where he helped share traditional and contemporary bluegrass music with audiences throughout the area.
Today, David continues to be active in the local music community, performing with a variety of local artists and supporting an assortment of musical initiatives that promote lifelong learning and participation in traditional music.
David’s passion for music, combined with his encouraging teaching style and commitment to preserving Appalachian musical traditions, make him a valuable part of the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program. Through mentoring young musicians, he helps ensure that the rich heritage of bluegrass, old-time, and acoustic music continues to thrive in our region.
Jimmy Pascal (Guitar Instructor):
Jimmy Paschal grew up listening to bluegrass records and eight-track recordings and watching Hee-Haw. “I remember a friend gave me an eight-track with a bunch of bluegrass music on it and funny songs,” Jimmy says. “I really got into bluegrass when I was about fifteen or sixteen years old.” Jimmy saw a banjo in a music store in Greensboro, and his mother bought it for him. He started learning by listening to lots of bluegrass, looking through some books on playing, and watching the banjo players and bluegrass musicians in his home area. Some of the musicians he heard around Yadkin County include Jerry Casstevens and Bill Van Hoy. “There was just a slew of musicians in this area,” he says. “Far too many to name.”
Jimmy first performed with Sam Jones and Moonlight Express. The group played at local and regional events. They recorded a CD that was often featured on the radio station in Mocksville, North Carolina. He also played for about seven years with Joe Stone, a bluegrass musician who made several popular recordings with Bobby Adkins and performed on regional radio and television programs. “He was about seventy years old when I met him and started playing with him,” Jimmy recalls. Most recently, Jimmy has performed with Brad Greer and Rodney Gordon, both Yadkin County musicians.
In addition to banjo, Jimmy plays bluegrass mandolin, and he refers to Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, and Reno and Smiley as influences. “I like to listen to about all the older groups,” he says. He enjoys playing the traditional bluegrass repertoire, that music has inspired his own songwriting. “I’ve been writing songs for more than a decade,” he says.
Jimmy also attends jam sessions and picking parties around the region. “I just jam around wherever we can all get around to pick,” he says.
Photo Galleries
Yadkinville JAM Spring 2024 Classes:
Our program features classes for our students to learn how to play the mandolin, banjo, bass, and guitar.
Yadkinville JAM Spring 2024 Enrichment Projects:
In addition to learning how to play an instrument, our students also are given the opportunity to participate in various enrichment projects. In the Spring 2024 semester each student personalized their own pick boxes, they made their own resin picks, and they assembled and decorated their own lyre harp kits.
Yadkinville JAM Spring 2024 End of Semester Showcase:
At the end of each semester we host a showcase in the Willingham Theater so that our students can perform for their families and friends.
Video Links
Resources for Students
YADKINVILLE JAM CLASS MATERIALS:
You can find materials for each of our JAM classes (tabs, etc) by clicking on the button below:
YADKINVILLE JAM GOOGLE CLASSROOM:
Our Google Classroom is a collection of materials that we published in 2020 when we needed to present our program virtually. This archive contains links to learning materials for our students including: tab sheets for different songs on each instrument, videos of lessons, and helpful links to purchase needed equipment such as tuners, capos, etc.
Access to our Google Classroom is limited to approved users. If you believe you need access please email info@yadkinarts.org to put in a request to be added.
Junior Appalachian Musicians Yadkinville is an affiliate of Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc.
Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc. supports all youth traditional music education programs that meet our requirements for affiliation within our geographic service areas (150 miles of Independence, Virginia and 150 miles of Knoxville, Tennessee). Additionally, some programs have grandfathered in. JAM is currently serving more than 50 affiliated programs in Southwestern Virginia, Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky.