Ruby John

Fiddle

Ruby John (she/her)is an Anishinaabe fiddler and a member of the Grand Traverse Band. Raised in Michigan’s traditional music community, she grew up immersed in local Irish sessions, contra and square dances, and Old-Time fiddle jamborees across the state. Her playing spans Old-Time, Métis, Irish, and French Canadian styles, reflecting the diversity of the traditions she carries. Recently, Ruby has been sharing her love of music by teaching fiddle to children on Beaver Island, Michigan.

Rick Willey

Fiddle, Mandolin

Rick Willey is a self-taught fiddler and mandolin player who lends his own slant to the interpretation of traditional Irish music. He is currently based in Traverse City, Michigan, but has been playing Irish music throughout western Michigan and northern Indiana since 1980. Irish music arises from a rich and varied tradition that has been passed down for centuries. It has the energy to get people on their feet, but also the power to elicit strong emotion. Rick is passionate about sharing his love of Irish music with others, through playing on stage and at lively Irish sessions with friends and strangers, or through teaching beginners the joys of the tunes. Over the years Rick has blended many styles of fiddle and mandolin through performances with Banshee, The Willeys, Paddy’s Racket, Fonn Mor, and Soltré, while remaining true to the spirit of the Irish tradition. He hosted the Irish session at The Livery in Benton Harbor, Michigan along for 10 years before moving to Traverse City in 2017. He currently performs with Irish group Rigs and Jeels and regularly attends the many local Irish sessions. Rick also plays with his three siblings in the band Willey Central, which features Americana music with a family perspective.

Pam Bowman

Hammered Dulcimer

Pam Bowman hails from Marion, Michigan, where music has been woven into her life from the very beginning. She learned guitar at a young age from her father, discovered her singing voice with help from her mother, and explored a variety of instruments that filled the Adams household. In school - clarinet became her musical focus. Everything changed in 1991 when Pam once again heard the sweet, shimmering tones of the hammered dulcimer. Captivated, she purchased her first instrument—and a lifelong passion was rekindled. Since then, she has spent more than 28 years performing: as a soloist, as a duo with Jeff Gardner, and as a member of the five‑piece group Just Jammin’. In 2005, Pam entered and won the Southern Regional Hammered Dulcimer Competition in Mountain View, Arkansas, a milestone that affirmed her artistry and dedication. Her recordings include four instrumental albums with Jeff Gardner and four group recordings with Just Jammin’. She has also created three arrangement books featuring her unique hammered‑dulcimer TAB system. Pam teaches and performs at festivals across the country and offers lessons online and in person. She gives God the glory for the talent and musical gifts she’s been given.

Nicholas Thomasma

Harmonica/Songwriting

Nicholas James Thomasma is a Grand Rapids-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and a champion for the Michigan music scene. You’ve likely seen him fronting Nicholas James and the Bandwagon or caught him playing a solo set out of his VW bus while touring the state. Whether he’s on a festival stage or in a quiet listening room, Nicholas is all about the power of a good story and sharing experiences through song. When he isn’t performing, Nicholas stays busy behind the scenes. He serves as the Executive Director of the Michigan Music Alliance and is a proud member of the Earthwork Music Collective. He’s also a lifetime member of Folk Alliance International, serves on the Arts and Culture Council of Grand Rapids, and is currently enrolled at Davenport University. Nicholas is always looking for new ways to help local artists thrive. For Nicholas, music is best when it’s enjoyable and collaborative. In his workshops, he breaks down the magic of songwriting and playing harmonica into something approachable and fun. He’s here to help you find your own voice and start making some noise.

Michael Kinsey

Music Production

Matt Watroba

Singing

Matt Watroba has spent most of his adult life sharing his knowledge and passion for folk music with just about anyone who would listen. As a performer, Matt has delivered thousands of shows in just about every setting you can think of. As a song leader, he is committed to inspiring or facilitating at least 100 community sings every year somewhere in the country. He has also produced and hosted a variety of public radio shows and podcasts since 1986. In 2019, Matt was inducted into the Folk DJ Hall Of Fame as part of the Folk Alliance International conference in Montreal. He lives just outside of Detroit, MI.

Mary Van Wylen

Singing, Music Production

“Mary from Newaygo”, originally from Wisconsin, has called Michigan home for the past 20 years. A trained vocalist, she has been performing in theater and singing since the age of 14. For the past four years, she has been an active part of Summer Wheat, where she has built meaningful friendships and connections. Over the last year, Mary has expanded her creative skill set by learning sound engineering, sparked by her project of building a mobile sound studio inside a vintage Airstream.

Kim Watroba

Singing

Josh Rose

Ukulele, Songwriting

Josh Rose’s mesmerizing songs float into the room like a Lake Michigan evening onshore breeze. They refresh you, they energize you, and they linger long into the darkness of your favorite nights. His genre defying approach and powerful writing make each of his shows unique and fluid in the hearts and minds of the listener. In his twenty one year career, Josh has shared the stage with Styx, Ziggy Marley, KT Tunstall, G Love and Special Sauce, Jill Andrews, and hundreds of musicians from around the Midwest. Josh also performs with his captivating band, The Founding Fathers. His four studio albums and entrancing live show will take all willing into the world of the Head-in-the-Clouds Folk music of Josh Rose.

John Bunch

Pennywhistle

Howard Wilson

Guitar

Howard was taken with the guitar at an early age. He played acoustic and electric growing up and while at GVSU studied classical guitar with Argentinian guitarist Guillermo Fierens. He played full time after college and then served as Director of Bands at Tri County Area Schools from 1985-2015. All the while gigging on acoustic and electric guitar whenever possible. Now retired, he plays solo acoustic and electric guitar with several Michigan bands. He likes just about anything to do with, and anybody who plays fingerstyle guitar. He is currently studying with Australian guitarist Kyran Daniel.

Frank Youngman

Music Theory

Frank played his first professional job at the age of 15 with a Glenn Miller style band. It was during those early years he came to understand just how powerful music is and how it moves people. Frank’s musical experience ranges from marching bands to a stint with a Chinese Orchestra and decades of time spent in the folk, classic country, swing and jazz world. He plays guitar, banjo, button accordion and even pennywhistles; in addition to piano, trumpet and string bass. Frank’s passion for music is matched by his passion for including others in the fun and for interacting with people.

Drew Howard

Guitar

Drew Howard is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist with 45 + years of stage, session and teaching experience in multiple genres. Performances range across the US to Western Europe, from Alaska to Amsterdam, Copenhagen to Chicago, New York to New Orleans. Drew appears as a sideman on almost 200 album releases, along with national and regional TV and radio ad campaigns for Fortune 500 companies. In 2010 Drew was honored with a Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Country Instrumentalist, and nominated again in 2014 and 2017. Published by BMG. Drew teaches private music lessons and class instruction. Past teaching experience includes MSU Community Music School, Elderly Instruments, and Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Don Julin

Mandoline

Don Julin, the author of the best-selling "Mandolin For Dummies" (Wiley 2012) and creator of Mandolins Heal The World (online mandolin school), has developed a reputation as one of the most eclectic mandolin players/teachers on the scene today. Don's hands-on workshops focus on developing strong left- and right-hand skills, along with a bit of ear training and music theory. Don believes that music is a conversation, not a contest, and encourages his students to join the conversation.

David Greeley

Fiddle, Singing

Daniel Seabolt

Guitar, Fiddle

Dan “Danny” Seabolt began studying guitar at age 12 under master musician John King of The Oat Bran Boys, focusing on theory and technique. For more than thirty years, he’s continued performing with the group, including regular Wednesday-night sets at The Red Rooster Tavern in Muskegon, Michigan. Dan also plays with his brother Dave’s band, Free Wheelin’, based in Big Rapids. At 14, Dan expanded his talents to the violin, studying fiddle and classical technique with Jean Manning, concertmistress of the West Shore Symphony. After performing several classical concerts, his passion led him fully into fiddle music. Since then, he’s built an impressive résumé—founder and instructor of the GLLKA Fiddle Camp (2014), workshop leader for the Wheatland Music Organization, and performer at the Midwest Banjo Camp for three consecutive years. Dan has opened for legendary acts including Riders in the Sky, Doc Watson, Vassar Clements, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Porter Wagoner, and Jeff Carson, among others. His work appears on numerous recordings, television, and radio commercials. Recently, he’s toured and recorded with award-winning singer/songwriter Ruth Bloomquist and bassist Max Bloomquist, performing across the U.S., France, Belgium, and England. “Creativity, exceptional talent, and unbridled enthusiasm have earned Danny a reputation that keeps him in demand wherever he goes.” —Robert Hecht, viola student and friend

Dane Hyde

Guitar

Dane has been in the northern Michigan music scene for over forty years. From folk duo, Flexible Flyer to country rock band, Big Sky to Celtic trad band, Rigs & Jeels. Active on the Celtic site, www.Tradchords.org providing chord options for over three hundred tunes. Providing a unique approach to rhythm structure for Celtic traditional music, helping players to understand the different time signatures involved in this moving music style.

Carol Wells Palms

Bass, Ear Training

As the second-youngest (and thus the second-cutest) member of the Wells Family Band, ten-year-old Carol realized she might never receive the attention a “front man” always gets, but she sure could have a blast playing a supporting role. Her love for those beautiful harmony parts led her to pursue the viola, and she earned a seat in the GR Symphony while she was still in high school. She headed off to college hell-bent on honing those musical skills, and then, for reasons no one can explain, she teamed up with a wonderful guy who had zero classical music training, but who somehow seemed to completely enjoy making music. Together they produced two great kids and quite a few recordings with their bands Maxton Bay, The Raisin Pickers and Creole du Nord. (Now second-oldest and still second-cutest.) Carol also taught orchestras in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Now retired, she finds that working with adult students is just as intriguing and rewarding as teaching those snotty-nosed kids.

Bruce Gartner

Guitar, Fiddle, Mandolin

Bruce Gartner has been playing music for over 50 years beginning with clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon in public school. As a child, Bruce’s father played mandolin and keyboard with a country band and those memories sparked a lifelong interest in playing traditional music. Bruce is adept with both mandolin and fiddle playing in the genre most commonly referred to as Old Time music. Additionally, Bruce plays traditional Irish music and has competed in all Ireland competitions in 2002 and 2003. Bruce is a member of the Old Time string bands “Rhythm Billies,” and the “Palooka Brothers.” He has played at festivals and taught workshops at Wheatland, Bliss, Alaska Folk Festival, and Hiawatha. The Rhythm Billies completed a tour of Ireland in the summer of 2011 playing American Old Time music.

Annette Barton

Lap Dulcimer

Annette Barton fell in love with the lap dulcimer the first time she heard it and started playing in the late 1980’s. She enjoys creating arrangements of music and working with others to help them experience and enhance the fun the dulcimer brings. Annette has helped lead jams and songs with Great Britain’s Nonsuch Dulcimer Club and is also part of the First National Dulcimer Orchestra. She is available for individual lessons (in person and via Zoom.) This will be her 6th year teaching at Music Camp.