Specialty & Ensemble Classes

Specialty and Ensemble classes for adults provide a thematic exploration into a particular genre, songwriter or topic. These classes are perfect for intermediate musicians looking to expand their skills, dive deeper into themes and genres, while playing music with other instruments.

These classes are geared for players who have played their instrument before, with a basic-intermediate level knowledge of chords and melody.

Winter Session begins the week of January 5!

Each class will also be live-streamed and recorded for individuals who are not able to attend in person.

Bar Chords Bar Songs

with Brian Nelson

Mondays, 7-7:55pm, January 5-March 9. $210.

Guitar players often get hung up on making the transition from using only open position chords to using bar chords. Make perfecting this new skill fun through a repertoire of everyone’s favorite sing-along bar songs! From “Friends in Low Places” to “Sweet Caroline,” students will learn how to find and play chords up the neck of the guitar.

Fingerstyle Guitar
with Ry Mohon

Thursdays, 7-7:55pm, January 8-March 10. $20

This class will introduce a variety of finger-based techniques including three and four finger fingerpicking patterns, Travis-picking, pinch chords, and thumb-strumming. Explore alternate tunings and improvisation while developing your sense of syncopation, finger independence, and string accuracy. Fingerstyle Guitar pre-requisite: Guitar 3 or equivalent.

Folk Ensemble
with Brian Nelson and Karina Wilson

Tuesdays, 7-8:15pm, January 6-March 10. $235.

This ensemble class breaks down what it means to play with others through some of your favorite folk tunes—both old and new. All instruments are welcome, including (but not limited to) guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and bass. Students can take this class in perpetuity; new songs are explored each session. Pre-requisites: this is an intermediate level class. Fretted instrument players should be familiar with closed chord shapes or playing melody on their instrument.

Intro Jazz Standards

with Zeke Kyoku

Mondays, 6:00-6:55pm, January 5-March 9. $210.

Open up your playing to the world of jazz music. In this class, you'll learn some gold standards and new chord shapes and progressions that are most used in jazz. Pre-requisites: Students should have completed a level 4 & More instrument class, or be familiar with locating and playing bar chords on their instrument.

Old Time String Band Ensemble

with Brian Nelson and Eric Carlson

Wednesdays, 7-8:15pm, January 7-March 11. $235

This ensemble class explores tunes from the old-time music genre - from singing Carter Family songs to playing instrumental tunes from all over North America. All instruments are welcome, including (but not limited to) guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and upright bass. Students can take this class in perpetuity; new songs are explored each session.

Want to brush up on your skills first? Check out our other classes for adults or explore our upcoming free jams.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

All Queen Bee classes need a minimum of three students to run. If a class does not meet that requirement, the class will be canceled, and registered students will be offered the following choices:

a credit for private lessons at the amount of their tuition
the registration fee can be transferred to a fully tax-deductible donation, or
a refund.

Credits must be used within the calendar year; they expire on December 31. Two-person classes may run as a semi-private lesson, at the discretion of Queen Bee administration and the teacher.

Registration for classes remains open for 3 weeks after a session begins. Students can drop a class and receive a refund for remaining classes through the third week of the session. After week 3, registration fees are non-refundable.