Susan Pepper
Lesson Feesfrom $35.00 / 30 Minutes
Promotions Available
About
Susan Pepper teaches ballad and folk song workshops, banjo, mountain dulcimer and guitar 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 and instruments 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 is also the co-producer of the Appalachian music film, The Mountain Minor.
My classes are about the joy of music, of connecting with our voices and each other. I teach in the "old way" which means by ear. Lyric sheets provided and recordings are available as well.
Upcoming Online Group Classes with Susan Pepper
Mountain Songs for the Soul
Starts January 16 - Learn more and sign up
Mountain Songs for the Soul II
Starts February 27 - Learn more and sign up
Reviews from Group Classes
Mimi W. on November 15, 2023
Class: Sing and Strum: Traditional Folk Song with Guitar
It was inspiring and enjoyable. I'm planning on doing Mountain Songs for the Soul again.
zelma F. on November 14, 2023
Class: Sing and Strum: Traditional Folk Song with Guitar
Wonderful, I totally enjoy the class and the teachers presentation style.
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
Sue W. on June 17, 2022
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
I enjoyed it a lot
Verified Student on June 17, 2022
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Wonderful. Great
Verified Student on June 17, 2022
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Enjoyed the songs and appreciated the chance to learn some new ones. I had already warmed up so that was not necessary for me. I would have liked more resources offered to experience the music. A guide, a list of folk schools that teach Appalachian singing, festivals... Some ways to learn more and go more deeply into the music. I hadn't been in an online class before so I didn't know I should have had a keyboard to respond.
Verified Student on June 17, 2022
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Very well taught, interesting, and fun.
Ellen O. on June 17, 2022
Class: Mountain Songs for the Soul
Great — very refreshing.
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.
Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies, folklore and trad. music emphasis Member of Folk Alliance International
I will expose students to numerous traditional singers and players from the Appalachians during our classes and share recommended resources for further listening and study at that time.