Alaska has a thriving music community that encompasses bluegrass, oldtime and Irish traditions, to name a few.

For years though, Alaskan musicians had to travel out of Alaska to attend camps as students. While Alaska’s many accomplished musicians shared their talents with students at the finest music camps in the Lower 48 and around the world.

Then 10 years ago, Alaskans’ options for music camps expanded to include a weeklong residential camp geared toward adults and families. In the decade since, it has attracted students from Alaska and around the world. Many students return every year to lavish in a week of traditional music and to renew friendships with students and staff from the past camps.

Alaska Traditional Music Camp is designed with the adult student in mind, young people able to maintain an adult level of participation are welcome. Students under the age of 18 must attend camp with a parent.

Three levels of instruction are offered for students from beginning to advanced levels. Class sizes are small to insure personal attention is available from instructors. Professional musicians with years of teaching and performance experience offer four periods of instruction daily, but many students find one or two classes provide plenty of new information, while leaving time to practice.

Evenings are filled with concerts and dances as well as many informal porch sessions with staff and students.

Age-appropriate activities also are offered for children ages 4-12 – many based around music and dance – so parents can focus on classes.

Non-musician partners also are welcome to enroll and enjoy the camp’s other amenities such as canoeing, hiking, biking and relaxing in a beautiful mountain paradise.