The Philadelphia Folksong Society will be offering a variety of instrument group classes throughout the year. If you do not see the instrument, age range or day/time that works for you, please check back as we are continuously adding new options. If you have an idea for a class or would like to express your interest on what instrument we should teach next, please email Molly Hebert-Wilson.
Discounts available for Members
A crash course in the most adorable instrument around! In six weeks we will 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! Feel free to bring your own ukulele but even if you don’t have one yet we have plenty to use while you’re here.
REGISTER FOR BEGINNER UKULELE HERE
Loony Tuners & Virtuosi Hand Drums with Teacher Karen (Suggested 5 to 12 years)
There are currently not any of these classes scheduled. If you would like to see more, please email Molly.
In this course, students will be encouraged to become one with the drum by finding their inner rhythms. Teacher Karen will introduce students to rhythm through different percussive instruments and teach them the origin of the instruments. Teacher Karen also emphasizes building confidence through playing instruments. *Drums will be provided by Teacher Karen*
Drum classes can be taken as single, drop-in sessions. Please email for more info.
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.