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: Classes are ALL-VIRTUAL in 2021!

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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Evening Events

Adventures in Portrait Painting

Working from life, as well as photographic references, students will learn basics of portrait painting.

African American Spirituals, Gospels and Civil Rights Songs

Singing in the Spirit, Songs of Hope, Faith and Freedom

Beginning Mandolin

Learn the basics of mandolin chords and accompaniment!

Beginning Piano

Learn to play piano by ear, including improvising, basic song progressions, rhythmic grooves, major and minor blues scales and more.

Bill Monroe Mandolin II with Chris Henry

Dive deeper into Bill Monroe's style of mandolin playing - by ear! - with Chris Henry.

Blues Mandolin I

Explore the rich history of Mando Blues with Christopher James!

Functional and Fun Pottery

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.

Guitar Chord Bootcamp

Get to know every major and minor chord in every key - and more!

Hammered Dulcimer International

An intermediate-level hammered dulcimer workshop with repertoire from around the world, from Celtic to Klezmer to Asian and more!

Irish Music: A Potted History of the Culture

A concise history course for teachers ( or anyone ! ) on Irish traditional music

Knit One: An Introduction to Knitting

Learn all the basic skills needed to knit a simple dish cloth.

Medieval Perspectives on Modern Crises

The division and struggle we are now experiencing has happened before, 700 years ago. What can we learn from those who survived to tell their tales?

Monsters: The Folklore and Literature of Horror

Don't turn out the lights! This class will look at monsters, from the folklore that inspired it, to the human elements is parodies, its literary appearances, and how the monster is portrayed today.

Morning Yoga: Yawn-Stretch-Yoga

A great way to start your day - with yoga!

Needle Felting a 3-D Barn Owl

Use needle felting to create a barn owl.

Nonviolence - "Now Wasn't That Creative?"

The ideas and the practices of nonviolence are often highly imaginative and remind us how powerful creativity can be - not only in the arts but anywhere that change finds some wiggle room to blossom.

Storytelling 1: The Stories Inside Us

Examine the ingredients needed to tell a personal story in such a way as to make it leap off our tongues and into the mind of a listener.

Ukrainian Eggs: The Art of Pysanky

Explore the ancient and colorful art of decorating eggs with wax-resist method.

iPhone Explored

Discover the artistic potential of your iPhone camera

Bass with Mark Schatz

For players of all levels, this class will focus on improving your technique and broadening your knowledge of practical bass lines.

Beginning Ukulele with Chris James

Ukulele for the absolute beginner

Celtic Dance: A Ceili!

Learn a step dance, a traditional dance, or a little song from the Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland, or Wales.

Garageband 101

Learn to use Garageband for practicing, recording demos, and song writing.

Hidden Bias in Curricular Resources

Curricular resources (books, digital media, worksheets, etc.) can contain hidden messaging that impedes inclusivity and negatively impacts student success. Particularly recommended for teachers.

Magic

Join Dave Thomen for some tips that go beyond mere tricks and treats.

Playing for Your Community

This workshop gives you all the tools you need to lift up patients, their families and support staff at hospitals, assisted living facilities and more, .

Scales Bootcamp for Mandolin

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

Teaching Children About Racial Justice

Sparky and Rhonda Rucker demonstrate how they use song and story as jumping-off points for real-world conversations with students of all ages.

Abstracts of Wildlife and Nature Using Pastels and Mixed Mediums

Looking at details in feathers, flowers, tree branches and bark, create abstract works in soft pastels, charcoal, or mixed mediums.

African and Jamaican Songs

Learn songs from West and South Africa and the Caribbean, including games, sacred songs, and more.

After Beginning Guitar: Songs, Chords and Scales

Learn the basics of playing the melody, developing accompaniments, and other useful techniques.

Chord Basics for Mandolin

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

Italian American Mandolin and Guitar

Mandolin and guitar players: explore the unexpectedly sophisticated world of Italian American music!

Nature Writing

Set your mind, body, & soul free by exploring the great outdoors with some iconic writers before crafting your own words inspired by nature's vast canvas.

Photographic Storytelling

Go beyond simple snapshots with your DSLR camera to create compelling photographs that tell a story, be it a portrait or a landscape.

Polymer Clay with Minimal Tools

Learn to use polymer clay to create jewelry, functional objects or wall art.

Samaritans at the Border, Immigrants Among Us

This workshop will focus on globalization and how it affects communities which in turn stimulate immigration into our First World country. It will lift up the plight of the migrant and illuminate the deep instinct for survival and love of family.

Songs and Tunes for Summer for Harp and Others

Learn a variety of tunes or songs that are in some way related to the season of Summer. The class focus is harp, but all instruments welcome! Category: Harp, Guitar, Fiddle, Banjo, Mandolin, Wind, Banjo

Songs of Social Justice with David Roth

Can a song make a difference? Join us to find out!

Southern Appalachian Flat-Footing and Clogging

Come and learn how to keep time with your feet in a class that captures the feel of an old-time music and dance party.

Stories of the Civil Rights Movement

Few people, however, know the personal stories of the people who were the movement. Discover their stories, collected over many years of travel across the south.

Taste of Beadwork

Learn several common beadwork stitches including peyote, brick, square stitch and right angle weave.

Thai Cooking

Learn to cook delicious dishes from Thailand, "The Land of Smiles"

UFOs - Unknown Fabric Opportunities

Create beautiful and useful items from materials that would otherwise be thrown away.

Yoga with AJ Blye

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

Acupressure and Self Care

Learn several methods of stimulating acupressure points for self-care as well as for the treatment of friends and family.

Beginning Blues Harmonica

You don't have to read music to learn to play the harmonica! Category: Wind & Free Reed

Bluegrass Mandolin Bill Monroe Style with Christopher Henry

Learn bluegrass mandolin by ear, in the oral tradition of Bill Monroe. Tailored for all levels.

Blues Uke

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

Common Ground on the Hill Veterans Initiative

The Common Ground on the Hill Veterans Initiative invites veterans and civilians to come together in a trusting and supportive environment. This is the workshop that changes lives!

Great Story Swap

Join us and tell a story, or just listen!

Introduction to Alternate Guitar Tunings with David Roth

Find fresh voicing to some of the standard chords you have been playing, and get on the road to arranging a song you already play in an alternate tuning.

Low Whistle with Steafan Hannigan

Steafan Hannigan will introduce you to the pleasures of the low whistle in Celtic music.

Mountain Voices: Appalachian Songs and Stories

Sparky & Rhonda Ruckers share stories and songs from the convergence of Native American, West African and British Isles peoples in Southern Appalachia.

Music and Healing: Body, Mind and Soul

Most of us have experienced the healing power of music either as listeners, dancers, or players; yet there are ways in which music is much more powerful than we can even imagine. Learn about the science and share stories of healing.

Old-Time Banjo with Mark Schatz

Take a banjo class with two-time International Bluegrass Music Association’s Bass Player of the Year Mark Schatz, one of the preeminent banjo players of our time!

The Voices of Baltimore Rising

Hear the stories of those who have been pulling Baltimore together in the wake of the Freddie Gray uprising.

Traditional Games

Learn the history of games and play some traditional games from around the world.

Turning Stories into Songs

Award-winning songwriter David Morris will help you incorporate stories into your songwriting process.

A Southeastern Native American Approach to Dreams

This class will combine teaching about dreams in Mvskoke/Creek culture with learning how to draw meaning from dreams for personal and collective growth.

Beginning Highland Bagpipe

This beginners class will introduce the rudiments of playing the Great Highland Bagpipe. Students will learn on a practice chanter. Category: Wind & Free Reed

Braided: Intricate Hair Designs

Learn the history and importance of braiding in different cultures, as well the basics of creating different types of braids.

Home Music Video Production 101

Learn home video and audio recording techniques and navigate social media algorithms in order to share high-quality music with others.

Kumihimo Braiding

Learn to make the Japanese braid known as Kumihimo, useful for a necklace, bracelet, ID holder or more.

Professional Practices: The Business of Art

Learn the business side of being an artist.

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 David Morris

"Oaky," "developed," "bright" - what do these terms have to do with wine? Find out this and much more in this class with David Morris!

Gallery Talks

Gallery Talks: Monday through Friday at 6:30 PM Eastern Time ~ Artist talks on various art forms. FREE

Keynote: Journey to Bolivia through its Arts and Crafts

Keynote Address: Monday, 8 PM Eastern Time. FREE Discover Bolivia through its arts and crafts.