Mountain Songs for the Soul
Singing Mountain Songs for the Soul with Susan Pepper
This fun and interactive workshop will offer students a deep dive into Appalachian ballad singing and the beautiful vocal ornamentation that makes this tradition unique. Explore your own voice while experiencing traditional song and the folklore around it. Singers will walk away from this workshop with a couple of new songs in their pockets and strategies for approaching traditional singing.
This class is presented in collaboration with John C. Campbell Folk School and Lessonface. Class capacity is 12 students. Registration closes on January 9, 2024. Students are invited to attend a large group Orientation and Closing Ceremony to connect with various classes online.
Class Materials
No materials necessary
Age Range
All Ages
Skill Level
Beginner/Intermediate
About the John C. Campbell Folk School & Lessonface
For 96 years, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina has transformed lives, and brought people together in a nurturing environment for experiences in learning and community life that spark self-discovery. Since 2012, Lessonface has connected more than 30,000 students with over 2,500 great teachers for live music, language, and arts lessons online, delivering on our mission to help students achieve their goals while treating teachers equitably.
When
The class will meet for four weekly 120-min live online sessions on Tuesdays at 6 pm ET | 3 pm PT | 22:00 UTC on the schedule below. The first session is on January 16.
Enrolled students receive 30-day access to the video recordings of the classes.
How It Works
Enroll above to save your spot in the class. Lessonface will send you a confirmation right away, and a Zoom link 24 hours before the class start time. You can log into your Lessonface dashboard to access class materials, communicate with your instructor, join the live Zoom session, and access the class recordings and chat transcript afterward.
Refund Policy: To cancel an enrollment or request a refund, contact support@lessonface.com. For 30+ days before, we refund 95%. Between 30 and 5 days, receive a 75% refund. No refunds within 5 days of class start date. Materials kit fees are non-refundable.
Students Say
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Sarah Q. on March 16, 2023
Class: Sing and Strum: Traditional Folk Song with Accompaniment
I loved it. It was harder than I expected but that made me love it more. I am a very paper trained musician so this stretched me to only have words and chords. It also made me learn more and experiment more with my instrument. I had a real Ah-Ha moment with keys and tunings. I also really got my I, IV and V chords and shapes down. I also liked the exposure to some new songs and artists. I will definitely add some of them to the repertoire. I am sad the class is over!
June T. on March 16, 2023
Class: Sing and Strum: Traditional Folk Song with Accompaniment
A great introduction to some wonderful Appalachian tunes with helpful guidance on how to handle chord progressions and strum patterns for accompaniment on instruments. Susan did a great job accommodating singers and players of varying skill levels. She managed the Zoom platform well, creating a sense of community among geographically dispersed students, some as far as CA and Canada.
Adam T. on March 16, 2023
Class: Sing and Strum: Traditional Folk Song with Accompaniment
Great, fun and educational
Verified Student on January 26, 2023
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Miriam (. on January 23, 2023
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Mountain Songs for the Soul was wonderful. I'd done the class before so knew I'd love it. The other time it was four, 2 hour sessions which was better for me.It was different songs, mostly and any time Susan does it again I want to do it.
Verified Student on January 23, 2023
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
i enjoyed it. learned some new songs. I paid particular attention to some of the singing/expression techniques Susan used. Liked the history told about the songs.
. on January 23, 2023
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
It was excellent and I look forward to taking additional classes from Susan Pepper. The material, presentation and structure of the workshop were all outstanding!
zelma f. on January 23, 2023
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Virginia U. on February 26, 2021
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Great! Susan is a wonderful teacher and it was a perfect way to learn to sing the old mountain songs. I felt that with the help of modern technology we were able to experience learning in a way that has been traditional for hundreds of years ... passing songs along orally to the next generation.
Diane B. on February 26, 2021
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
It was wonderful...I learned many old mountain ballads, enjoyed seeing videos of older mountain women singing that Susan showed us....there is nothing that I enjoy more than singing! Susan was a wonderful teacher -- her voice was perfect for singing many of these mountain songs -- she was sensitive to her student's needs and she made each class so much fun!
Sally R. on February 26, 2021
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
I absolutely adored the class. I hope to take another class with the same teacher and I’d love to learn again with the same students. I also want to take a class on site at the Folk School one day.
David V. on February 26, 2021
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Marvelous. Susan had an informal, we're all just friends approach that made it easy for everyone to participate.
Adam T. on February 26, 2021
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Excellent. The instructor, Susan Pepper, brought a lot of talent and passion to the class, as well as good materials. I learned a lot.
Pattie B. on February 26, 2021
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Susan is a great teacher. Her choice of songs was great and she is so personable and such a good singer. I can't wait to take an in person class with her.
Book 1:1 online lessons with Susan Pepper on their Lessonface profile.
Susan Pepper
Susan Pepper teaches ballad workshops at regional and national venues including Youth Traditional Song Weekend, The John C. Campbell Folk School and the Virtual Banjo and Fiddle Frolic. She has performed ballads at the Library of Congress and is included in the Traditional Artists Directory of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Pepper worked extensively with traditional Old time and Bluegrass music programs for youth in the Appalachians and has vast experience teaching folk song, guitar and mountain dulcimer to children of all ages. Pepper has released 3 albums, The Prettiest Bird (2020), Hollerin’ Girl (2015) and her field recordings On the Threshold of a Dream (2009). She...