VIRTUAL & IN PERSON INSTRUMENT CLASSES! 

Please note: We currently have sign ups available for virtual classes over Zoom and for our in person classes! Classes will note in the title if they are in person. 

Workshops: 

IN PERSON Labor Jawn: In Story & Song Workshop

Friday, November 18th, 2022 at 8pm at the PFS Venue!

Join us at the Philadelphia Folk School for a crash course in the music & history of the Labor Movement!

Join the hosts of the Labor Jawn podcast in celebrating the labor movement through story and song. Relive the struggles and victories of the working class with historian Gabe Christy as musician Young Sam James leads you and a few special guests in the anthems and ballads that defined an entire movement.

Register for Labor Jawn: In Story And Song Here!

VIRTUAL & IN PERSON INSTRUMENT CLASSES! 

Please note: We currently have sign ups available for virtual classes over Zoom and for our in person classes! Classes will note in the title if they are in person. 

Full Class Sessions – Teens & Adults: 

(CLICK HERE for Early Childhood Music Education and CLICK HERE for Kids Classes!)

VIRTUAL & IN PERSON INSTRUMENT CLASSES! 

Please note: We currently have sign ups available for virtual classes over Zoom and for our in person classes! Classes will note in the title if they are in person. 

Full Class Sessions – Teens & Adults: 

VIRTUAL Songwriting with Joe Makoviecki

Wednesdays, 6:05pm – 6:50pm, November 30th – December 14th, 2022

In songwriting group, our goal will be to awaken and inspire the writer within you. Our group is a forum for songwriters new and experienced. It works as a circle of song where everyone week folks have a chance to share a new idea, a new song, a question, or just listen along. Every week there will be a prompt designed to touch on and highlight different aspects of songwriting from: lyric techniques, chord progression, genres, writing methods, and more. There will be no critiquing, just sharing, open forum for questions, and encouragement. Come with an open mind, a willingness to write, and learn something about different types of songs and the methods used to write them.

Instruments are welcome for sharing, but not necessary.

REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL SONGWRITING HERE

IN PERSON Beginner Voice with Molly Hebert-Wilson

Tuesdays, 5:45pm-6:30pm, January 17th – March 14th, 2023 (No class February 14th)

Come improve your singing with Molly Hebert-Wilson! This beginner/intermediate class will cover breathing and support, how to sing without tension, expanding vocal range through learning how to use your chest, mix and head resonance, and how to connect to your material and the audience in performance.

REGISTER FOR IN PERSON BEGINNER VOICE HERE

IN PERSON Intermediate Voice with Molly Hebert-Wilson

Tuesdays, 6:45pm-7:30pm, January 17th – March 14th, 2023 (No class February 14th)

This is a Mixed Level Intermediate class for those who have taken a full Voice class session before! We will continue working on expanding where our voices resonate in our body and reducing tension for a low stress, healthy, and fun singing experience!

REGISTER FOR IN PERSON INTERMEDIATE VOICE 2023 HERE

VIRTUAL Beginner Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon

Tuesdays, 5:30pm-6:15pm, January 10th – February 21st, 2023 (No Class February 14th)

Bring the Philadelphia Folk School to the comfort of your home with a crash course in the most adorable instrument around! On a week to week basis we will study and learn everything from the beginning, no prior music experience necessary. We’ll explore tuning the uke, proper posture, open position chords and learn a host of old folk music.

REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL BEGINNER UKULELE HERE

VIRTUAL Intermediate Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon

Tuesdays, 6:30pm-7:15pm, January 10th – February 21st, 2023 (No Class February 14th)

Getting beyond three chords. Take your ukulele a bit further as we dive into more complex songs and simple solo arrangements while expanding on the basics you learned in beginner class. Suitable for anyone that can strum confidently through easy songs without too much hesitation between chords.

REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL INTERMEDIATE UKULELE HERE

VIRTUAL Beginner’s Harmonica for Adults with Seth Holzman (ages 16 and up):

Mondays, 6:30pm-7:45pm, January 23rd – March 20th, 2023
(No Class February 20th)

Learn to play simple traditional folk songs and elementary blues on one of America’s most popular, portable instruments – the harmonica!  Basic techniques such as bending, trilling, tongue-blocking, vibrato, and wah-wah will be covered.  Individual attention will be given to each student.  No musical background is required.  Bring a 10-hole diatonic key of C major harmonica (such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Marine Band Model 1896, or equivalent) to the first class. For our Zoom classes, have a 10-hole diatonic key of C major harmonica (such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Pro Harp, or equivalent) for the first class. Required text may be purchased for $10.00.

REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL BEGINNER’S HARMONICA HERE

VIRTUAL Blues Harmonica I for Adults with Seth Holzman (ages 16 and up):

Mondays, 8pm–9:15pm, January 23rd – March 20th, 2023
(No Class February 20th)

Let’s continue our work with the harmonica and focus on the Blues.  The harmonica’s unique sound is integral to the distinctiveness of many great blues bands.  Learn some techniques and styles of background and lead playing.  We will work on songs by Slim Harpo (“Something Inside Me,” “Raining In My Heart”), Little Walter (“Last Night,” “Hoochie Coochie Man”), Sonny Terry (“Bring It On Home To Me”), etc.  Bring a 10-hole diatonic key of C-major harmonica such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Marine Band Model 1896, or equivalent, to first class. For our Zoom classes, have a 10-hole diatonic key of C major harmonica (such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Pro Harp, or equivalent) for the first class. Required text may be purchased for $10.00.(Note: This class is for people who have taken Harmonica For Beginners or others who have acquired similar skills and knowledge and have Seth’s permission to take the class.)

REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL BLUES HARMONICA I HERE

VIRTUAL Intermediate Blues Harmonica with Seth Holzman (ages 16 and up)

Thursdays, 6pm-7:15pm ET, January 19th – March 9th, 2023

Let’s continue to work on the songs we did in Blues Harmonica 1, including Slim Harpo’s “Something Inside Me” & “Raining In My Heart”, Little Walter’s “Last Night” & (with Muddy Waters) “Hoochie Coochie Man”, Sonny Terry’s “Bring It On Home To Me”, etc. Additionally, let’s work on songs or parts of songs that both you and I may suggest for the class. We’ll continue to work on techniques such as bending, vibrato, and tongue-slapping. For our Zoom classes, have a 10-hole diatonic key of C major harmonica (such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Pro Harp, or equivalent) for the first class. Required text may be purchased for $10.00. However, if you already have the Blues Harmonica 1 text, there’s no additional textbook fee.

Note: This class is not for beginners. If you have not taken the Blues Harmonica 1 class, the instructor will need to talk with you to make sure that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to take this course.

REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL INTERMEDIATE BLUES HARMONICA HERE

VIRTUAL The Story Of The Blues Class with Seth Holzman

Thursdays, 7:30pm-8:45pm ET, January 19th – March 9th, 2023

The Story of the Blues is a journey back to the roots of the Blues in West Africa and Europe and its emergence in the American South, where African Americans created a unique musical form that has influenced all forms of American music, including Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Country, Boogie Woogie and even Classical Music. We will listen to and discuss recordings of artists who illustrate the earliest forms of the Blues as well as the more recent forms, including the likes of Charlie Patton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller, T-Bone Walker, Slim Harpo, B.B. King and John Coltrane. We’ll touch on Delta Blues, Piedmont Blues, Chicago Blues, Jump Blues, Blues Rock and Jazz Blues.

REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL THE STORY OF THE BLUES HERE

VIRTUAL Advanced Beginner Guitar with Joe Makoviecki

Tuesdays, 5:30pm-6:15pm, September 20th – November 8th, 2022

Play a little guitar but want to improve? In Advanced Beginner guitar we will learn new and interesting chords, more complex strumming patterns from folk and blues music, and begin the basics of fingerpicking. We will work on strumming through some favorite folk, pop, and blues songs, as well as highlight skills the class requests. We will also begin working on major and minor scales, and the basics of “soloing”.

REGISTER FOR ADVANCED BEGINNER GUITAR HERE

VIRTUAL Intermediate Guitar with Joe Makoviecki

Tuesdays, 6:30pm-7:15pm, September 20th – November 8th, 2022

This mixed level Intermediate class is for those who know the basic open chords (C, D, E, F, A, G, and some of their corresponding minor chords) and who have a little experience strumming. We will focus on new chords (7s, barre chords. Etc), some skills (scales and licks), with a heavy focus on learning how to play songs by reading a “lead sheet”.

REGISTER FOR INTERMEDIATE GUITAR HERE

VIRTUAL Fiddling Demystified with Donna Hebert

Wednesdays, 5pm-6pm, JOIN ANYTIME

Aimed at intermediate-advanced fiddlers and violinists and mandolin players but all are welcome.

Learn the language of theory a tune at a time — and never forget it. We’ll cover the three most common harmony styles in western fiddling, using classic fiddle tunes to illustrate them. We’ll play with rhythm riffs, harmony runs and work out individual backup strategies based on your own abilities. You’ll see your fingerboard more wholly as well as learn new rhythms and harmonies. Handouts include sheet music, chord charts, and mp3s, but all tunes are also taught by ear. Some knowledge of music theory is helpful but not required.

Register for Fiddling Demystified Here!

VIRTUAL Beginner 2 Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon

NOT CURRENTLY IN SESSION, CHECK BACK SOON!

Building upon our beginner course we’ll branch out into more chords, more right hand techniques, and more fun! Any one comfortable with basic chords (C F G ) is welcome to join and we’ll get you caught up nice and quick. This is the perfect class for folks who have taken Beginner Uke with Christopher before!

Register for Virtual Beginner 2 Ukulele Here!

The Philadelphia Folksong Society is now offering numerous music related classes and workshops for children and adults of all ages through the newly established Philadelphia Folk School!

Our Beliefs & Vision

The Philadelphia Folk School believes that folk music is for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

The Philadelphia Folk School believes that everyone deserves music, confidence, and community.

The Philadelphia Folk School seeks to enhance Philadelphia and the surrounding areas by encouraging participation in traditional folk music and educating the public of its history through classes, workshops, and exhibitions, creating community connection, and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Seth Holzman

Seth has been playing harmonica since 1965, teaching harmonica since 1975, and has performed with Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, Ronnie Earl, Roomful of Blues, Magic Slim & The Teardrops, and many others. Seth was inspired to play by (and eventually studied with) the great blues harmonica player Sonny Terry. He is a caring and thoughtful instructor who teaches the techniques and musical knowledge he wishes he had known when he began his own studies. Seth currently performs in the greater Philadelphia area with Stevie and The Bluescasters.  For any further questions about the courses, contact Seth at 610-724-3168 or email him at zepharpo@aol.com.

Karen L. Smith

Karen L. Smith, percussionist, playwright, director, poet, producer was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and attended Brooklyn College in the performing arts department  as well as H. B. Studio for acting and movement. In the early 90’s,  Philadelphia became an interest as well as the various entertainment venues. Ms. Smith was born with the love of rhythmic energy and embraced percussion instruments at an early age. Karen has played with many groups, performing artists, workshops and was the lead percussionist for Ms. Debbie Allen’s Artist in Residence program under the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. She manages two groups, Sistahs Laying Down Hands, all female percussive, poetry, storytelling, dance and drumming as well as written several plays with the most recent Legacy the play and Legacy II, Where are the Tubmans? which premiered this March at Rowan College. “The Arts are healing resources for all and everyone is welcome to get some of this medicine”. Karen is currently the Program Manager for the Philadelphia Jazz Project.

Christopher Davis-Shannon

As a multi-Instrumentalist, songwriter, and educator, based in Philadelphia, Christopher Davis-Shannon maintains a steady tour schedule with his own music, as well as a sideman for various acts. He brings to the stage not just the pure joy of music, but a vast knowledge of the history behind the songs that he holds close to his heart. An avid educator, Christopher has taught ukulele at numerous festivals across the country, as well as maintaining a private teaching studio for over 15 years.

Cited for “outstanding artistic achievement” by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Franco-American fiddler Donna Hébert has deep roots in music. Donna has mentored eight Franco-American fiddle apprentices through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Master-Apprenticeship program and was named an Artists’ Fellow in the Folk Arts by the state of Massachusetts in 2008. A fiddle instructor at Smith, Amherst and Mt. Holyoke Colleges in western Massachusetts, Donna teaches at colleges and summer programs. Recent residencies include the Goderich (Ontario) Celtic College, John C. Campbell (NC) Folk School, the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra and Smith College. Donna’s “Fiddling Demystified for Strings,” an in-depth study of styles, “should be required reading for all string teachers hoping to branch out into fiddling,” said Laura Risk in Strings Magazine. String pioneer and Berklee professor Darol Anger says “Donna gets it all right,” in his foreword to the book.

Joe Makovieki