Classes

Traditions Weeks are broken into five periods. Each period contains a list of available classes. Some classes span multiple periods. Browse the periods below, filter by category, or download this week's schedule. REMINDER: Traditions Week 1 classes are ALL-VIRTUAL in 2023; Traditions Week 2 class are IN-PERSON on the campus of McDaniel College in Westminster, MD!
Traditions Week 3 is NOT RUNNING in 2023, but will return in the future.

NOTE: TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE REGISTRATION PAGE CLICK HERE

Looking to register from OUTSIDE the U.S.? We can help! Email us at commonground@commongroundonthehill.org for assistance, as our payment program does not accept out-of-country payments. We will help process your registration!

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Schedule at a glance

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Evening Events

Art of Chinese Calligraphy: Theory and Practice with Yuli Wang

Discover the art of Chinese calligraphy and learn its connections to traditional Chinese painting and culture.

Art or Furniture from Found Object with Jim Paulsen

Create objects of sculpture, furniture or other “kool” stuff by repurposing found objects and “Junk.”

Beginning Old-Time Fiddle with Rachel Eddy

Learn the basics of old-time fiddling as a steppingstone to more advanced playing.

Beginning or Refresher Knitting with Nancy McKenzie

Knit a simple dishcloth and gain the skills to knit other projects.

Chord Basics and Beyond for Mandolin with Wayne Fugate

Throw away those chord diagrams! This class will give you the tools to play chords and never look back.

Explorations in Metalsmithing: Creative Chain Making with Gina Copanzzi

Develop your soldering skills with handmade chain.

Functional and Fun Pottery with Nicole DIem

This class offers students a hands-on approach to creating pieces with different functions built in a variety of ways: coil, pinch, and hand building.

Irish Tenor Banjo with Brian Connolly

This workshop, suitable for tenor banjo as well as mandolin, is led by the founder and longtime leader of Craobh Rua (pronounced Crave Roo-ah), one of Ireland’s great, world-touring traditional bands.

Magic with Lightroom Classic with Alexandra Lane

Discover why Lightroom is the leading software in the photographic industry

Morning Yoga: Yawn-Stretch-Yoga with AJ Blye

A great way to start your day - with yoga!

Peace Education in the Classroom with Paul Creighton

Discover how peace education can help overcome negative experiences.

Splint Woven Basketry with Keith Taylor

Create a beautiful and useful woven basket

Using Altered Digital Images as References for Drawing with John Hampshire

Learn to alter images using basic software such as Google Docs to clarify lighting, structure, form and space for use as a reference when drawing.

Beginning Ukulele with Amy Ferebee: Week 1

Get to know this friendly little stringed instrument - you'll be playing before you know it!

Bodhran (Irish Frame Drum) for Beginners with Bill Troxler

Learn to play the quintessential Celtic drum with Bill Troxler!

Intermediate Old-Time Fiddle with Rachel Eddy

Help your fiddling sound better and more driving.

Life Writing with Barbara Morrison

In this workshop, appropriate for both novice and experienced writers, we’ll practice telling our own story in journals, memoirs, personal essays, blogs, and other forms of life writing.

Nonviolence: Too Radical for a Violent World?

Discover a skills-oriented introduction to nonviolent problem-solving.

Scales Bootcamp for Mandolin with Wayne Fugate

Do you hate scales? This class will change your mind. Learn how to get the most out of scales!

Songwriting with Rod MacDonald, Week 1

Acclaimed songwriter Rod MacDonald will give you the tools to express yourself in music and words.

The Guitar of Joseph Spence with Martin Grosswendt

Dive into the work of the brilliant Bahamian guitarist Joseph Spence, from Bahamian songs and gospel to blues, calypso and pop songs (including standards like "The Glory of Love" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town.)"

Understanding the Fretboard with Chris James - Week 1

Get to know your instrument's fretboard!

A Taste of Scotland's Music with Paul Creighton

Enjoy a daily concert of Scottish music, and learn about themes and famous tunes.

Beginning Guitar with Amy Ferebee Week 1

Get to know your guitar and learn some simple tunes.

Blues Mandolin with Chris James

Explore the rich history of Mando Blues with Christopher James!

Candy Making at Home with Melanie Nilsson

Learn the science of making candy in your own kitchen!

Colored Pencil Illustration with Kelsey Wailes

Learn the techniques to create a wide variety of illustration types, from cartoonish to realistic.

Drawing Fundamentals with Lee Newman

Learn to draw accurately from observation of such subjects as animal skulls, vegetables, flowers, and other organic objects.

Fujara and Koncovka Overtone Flutes of Slovakia with Bob Rychlik

Enter the magical world of the overtone flute!

Just Enough Music Theory with Bill Troxler

Learn how music works so that you can make your music unique, including expanding your skills in selecting chords, composing melodies and improvising!

Lessons from the Appalachian Trail: Being Human is Being Nature with Sara Rollins

Using her own hiking experiences on the Appalachian Trail as a backdrop, the instructor will lead students through storytelling, guided meditations, activities, and discussions to help unlock the notion that we are more than just connected to nature, we ARE nature.

Mountain Dulcimer: Intro to DGD Tuning with Pam Weeks

An introduction to this easy way to play in the key of G (and related keys).

Poetry as Witness with Barbara Morrison

Write about ethical, political, and social justice issues in poems that still sing.

The Painted Screen: A Baltimore Folk Art with Michael Seipp

Learn about the iconic Baltimore art of screen painting and create a screen to adorn your home.

The Roots Experience in Popular Music with Rod MacDonald

Discover the lives and work of some of America's greatest roots-inspired musicians through their biographies, videos, recordings and other materials.

iPhone Explored with Sue Bloom

Take better photos with your iPhone, using apps and photography techniques.

Art Appreciation: A Moment in Time with Ellen Elmes

A daily exploration of singular master artworks intended to transport the viewer to a particular moment in time of monumental consequence. Students will engage in "active seeing" to explore the artwork's form and content.

Bluegrass Mandolin with Tom Mindte

Learn to incorporate the methodology of the bluegrass masters such as Bill Monroe and Frank Wakefield.

Blues Ukulele with Chris James

Join us as we venture beyond strumming into the mysterious world of turnarounds and blues scales on the ukulele. All levels welcome!

Dock Boggs Banjo Style with Martin Grosswendt

Discover the unique three-finger banjo style and dark, compelling repertoire of the legendary Dock Boggs.

Playing the Mountain Dulcimer by Ear with Pam Weeks

Learn the patterns of music so that you can begin to play a tune by ear!

Rights, Race and Revolution with Charles Collyer & Pamela Zappardino

Explore the history of the Civil Rights Movement through stories of those who lived through the events.

Shetland Fiddle with Claire White

Discover Shetland fiddle, beloved for its energy, descriptive powers and emotional impact.

Social Media Marketing with Phil Spiess & Eve Blackwater

Join us to learn how to make social media work for you.

Songwriting with Dave Essig

Bring your works-in-progress to polish and share in a safe and supportive group.

The United Borderlands: Social Change and Music

What happens if we consider the entire country a borderlands? How does settlement, displacement and development affect cultural identity, and what does music have to do with it all? We will explore these questions and more.

Essential Oils: Past and Present with Katie Hancock

Learn the uses of essential oils, which have been used by various cultures throughout history.

Plants Speak in Life and Art with Robert Pullen

Robert Pullen (Mskoke) and presenters from different cultures will guide students through interactions to find inspirations from plants.

Search for Common Ground

The flagship class of Traditions Weeks. In an atmosphere of trust and safety, and inspired by song and story, we will listen to and learn from the voices of our sisters and brothers from communities represented in our circle.

Wine Appreciation with Ami Gangemella

Get to know different wines with Ami Gangemella, a Wine Educator who will help you step out of your comfort zone and taste wines from budget-friendly regions around the world.

Yoga with AJ Blye

Unwind from the stresses of the day with some afternoon yoga!

Gallery Talks

Gallery Talks: Monday through Friday at 6:30 PM ET ~ Artist talks on various art forms. FREE Week 1: Streaming on the Common Ground on the Hill YouTube Channel Week 2: In Person AND Virtual! Gallery Talks at Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall

Keynote: The Land We Are On: Land Acknowledgements, Limits and Possibilities

Keynote Address: Monday, June 26 at 8 PM Eastern Time, streaming FREE on the Common Ground on the Hill YouTube channel. Learn about the Maryland State Arts Council's Land Acknowledgement Project from Folklife Specialist Ryan Koons.