Everyone is invited!
Please make yourself at home and join us in spreading the love of music – particularly the beautiful traditional sounds found right here in our own backyard. Dust off your instrument and bring some of your favorite tunes to share!
The Cockman family’s Fiddle Camp meets at Shady Grove, Boone NC every Tuesday evening from June to August, and it is completely free! We even provide fiddles for those who do not have them. It is open to anyone who has a desire to learn traditional music. However, Fiddle Camp is does not just provide lessons. Our family has found that Fiddle Camp offers a wonderful environment for fun learning and real inspiration. We are in our 18th Fiddle Camp and each summer sees something new, from guitar lessons to Canadian step-dancing lessons to camp-outs and late night jams. If you are interested in Fiddle Camp, feel free to contact us for details or just show up!
The music of the Appalachian Mountains has a rich heritage – Irish, Scottish, Canadian, French and the list goes on and on. These great tunes and hymns of old have been passed down from generation to generation, preserved in part by the voices and instruments of the mountain people. Learning traditional Appalachian, Celtic, Bluegrass, and Old Time music is not simply about mastering a style or technique—it is an act of cultural preservation and community connection. Each fiddle tune or ballad carries with it the weight of memory, migration, and resilience. In a world that often prioritizes novelty over heritage, returning to these traditions grounds us in a shared human story.
Our ultimate goal in spreading these traditional sounds is to build and sustain community. Musicians of all levels are welcome to gather and connect with one another, not through virtuosity, but through a mutual love for the music. To our family, music has always been first and foremost a heritage, and we constantly strive to foster mentorship, collaboration, and belonging. Our communal learning model is built upon a foundation of shared growth and collective memory. When our students gather to learn and play these traditional songs and styles, they aren’t just enjoying free lessons—they are participating in a living, breathing tradition that continues to evolve while honoring a rich and vibrant past.
Come join our community!
We encourage our young folks to use their music primarily for the enjoyment and enrichment of their families and others and to see the beauty that music can bring to those around them.
Meet our team
Here are our 2026 Fiddle Camp Instructors
John Cockman
John Cockman is a master fiddler and dedicated teacher from Watauga County with deep roots in the Appalachian tradition. A professional musician from a young age, he has studied and performed in a wide range of styles including Bluegrass, Old-Time, Gospel, Celtic, Country, and Cajun. For over 20 years, John has developed an intuitive and accessible teaching method, including the online lessons on BluegrassDaddy.com and the BRSTA Fiddle Camp, which has helped thousands of students learn to jam, perform, and carry on the tradition of Appalachian music.
Arwen Cockman
Arwen Cockman is an award-winning fiddler, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who’s been immersed in traditional music since she could hold a fiddle. Known for her expressive playing and original songwriting, Arwen brings fresh energy to the tradition while honoring its roots. Many of this year’s classes will feature her original tunes, offering students a unique opportunity to learn directly from a working artist shaping today’s folk sound.
Josephine Walker
Josephine Walker is a versatile fiddler with roots in Bluegrass, Classical, and Celtic styles. Steeped in traditional music from a young age, her musical path was significantly shaped and inspired by BRSTA. She is an award winning competitor and is the Scottish Fiddling Junior National Champion. Josephine teaches locally and performs with her band, Pickin Thistles, at many Appalachian venues and festivals.
Lily Harwell
Raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, Lily Harwell is a multi-stylist fiddler. She discovered her passion for fiddle as a child while studying at BRSTA, where she developed a deep appreciation for bluegrass, old-time, and Celtic styles. A two-time champion of the Scottish fiddling competition at the Grandfather Mountain Highland games, Lily shares her talents by teaching, performing, and recording with various musical groups in her community.
Lorien Cockman
Lorien Cockman is a dynamic traditional musician specializing in Celtic and Old-Time fiddle, Cape Breton piano, and Canadian step dancing. As an award-winning singer and songwriter, she brings a deep love of story and rhythm to every performance and class. Lorien teaches piano, fiddle, and dobro to many BRSTA students in the community, and is currently developing her Master’s thesis in Appalachian Music Pedagogy at ASU.
David Mugg
David Mugg is a retired Army Infantry and Special Operations Officer, published author, and lifelong music enthusiast. A skilled guitarist and fiddler, David brings patience, encouragement, and a love of learning to his role as a beginner guitar instructor. He is a proud father of four sons, all students at BRSTA, where he has volunteered for many years. David’s commitment to community and passion for music make his classes a supportive and inspiring space for new players.
We want to be respectful of property and we want everyone to be safe. Children should be supervised at all times. Parents, please go over the Fiddle Camp rules with your children!
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Submissions can include, but are not limited to, poetry, crime reports, news and happenings, photos, jokes, comics, etc.
Find extra lessons, sheet music, and tablature on BluegrassDaddy.com
- Collaborate with other musicians.
- Expand your musical repertoire.
- Strengthen your technique.
