Daily Schedule
9:00-10:00AM - Camp Check In/Activity
10:00-11:00AM - Instrument Session 1/Snack
11:00-12:00PM -
Songwriting
12:00-1:00PM - Lunch/Outdoor Play
1:00-2:00PM -
Instrument Session 2/Intermediate Jam/Specialty Workshop
2:00-3:00PM - Band Session/Snack
3:00-4:00PM -
Optional Early Pick Up/Extended Day
Santa Fe FAQs
Camp Times & Location:
Bluegrass Kids Camp in Santa Fe, NM will take place Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17 from 9am-4pm at Desert Academy, 7300 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505. When you arrive, follow the signs for Queen Bee Music Association’s Check-in Table.
Drop Off:
Camp is a closed campus camp. We require that you sign your child in & out at the check-in table everyday with a staff member. Drop off is rolling, anytime between 9am and 10am. So if your camper needs a little extra sleep one day, they won’t miss crucial activities.
Optional Early Pickup + Extended Day:
In order to provide flexibility to parents, students may be picked up from camp starting at 3pm and as late as 4pm. During the 3-4pm timeframe students will have the option to participate in outdoor games, practice time, group jams and art activities.
Lunch & Snack:
Please pack two snacks for your student each day. Snack time occurs twice each day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
All campers should pack a bag lunch every day of camp, and will eat lunch at 12:00 pm. Keep in mind campers won’t have access to a microwave, so pack ready to eat foods and utensils if needed. There is no refrigeration available.
Other Items to Bring:
Afternoon temperature in Santa Fe may reach into the 90s with temperatures and weather changing very quickly. Campers will be outside for parts of the day (weather permitting). The sun’s rays are very powerful at our high elevation. Please apply sunscreen in the morning for your campers and pack extra for them to apply as needed.
Also, a light jacket or raincoat and water bottle will be useful.
Instruments & Music:
Each camper will be supplied with the following at Check-in:
● Music Folder with Camp Music
● Tuner
● Guitar Pick (or rosin for fiddlers)
● Cleaning Cloth
If your camper is bringing their own instrument, consider bringing extra supplies such as guitar picks, rosin, etc. If your camper is renting an instrument, these supplies will be provided for you.
Final Performance:
The final performance will take place at Desert Academy on Friday, July 17 at 3pm, and will last about an hour and a half. Final pick-up and instrument rental return will happen immediately following the concert.
About Santa Fe, New Mexico:
Santa Fe, or "The City Different," is a beautiful mountain town located 1 hour north of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 6 hours from Denver. The small city prides itself on its cultural activities - from art to food - and nearby hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and hot springs! For tourism information, visit
Santa Fe Tourism.
Crested Butte FAQs
Camp Times & Location:
Bluegrass Kids Camp in Crested Butte, CO will take place Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10 from 9am-4pm, location TBA. When you arrive, follow the signs for Queen Bee Music Association’s Check-in Table.
Registration/Check In:
Rolling registration is scheduled from 9:00-10:00 am on Monday, July 6th in the high school entrance by the gymnasium, near the southwest parking lots. We will have signs pointing to the correct entrance.
Getting to Camp:
Via Bus:
You may ride the bus from Mt. Crested Butte to Crested Butte via the Mountain Express to drop off your children. For more information on routes and times for the Mountain Express bus visit www.mtnexp.org.
Via Car:
Directions: From the south: Head north on Highway 135. Turn right onto Maroon Ave. The church will be on the left at the corner of 7th and Maroon Ave. From Mt. Crested Butte: Drive south on Gothic Road/Highway 135 towards the town of Crested Butte.
Drop Off:
Camp is a closed campus camp. We require that you sign your child in & out at the check-in table everyday with a staff member. Drop off is rolling, anytime between 9am and 10am. So if your camper needs a little extra sleep one day, they won’t miss crucial activities.
Optional Early Pickup + Extended Day:
In order to provide flexibility to parents, students may be picked up from camp starting at 3pm and as late as 4pm. During the 3-4pm timeframe students will have the option to participate in outdoor games, practice time, group jams and art activities.
Lunch & Snack:
Please pack two snacks for your student each day. Snack time occurs twice each day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
All campers should pack a bag lunch every day of camp, and will eat lunch at 12:00 pm. Keep in mind campers won’t have access to a microwave, so pack ready to eat foods and utensils if needed. There is no refrigeration available.
Other Items to Bring:
Afternoon temperature in the Gunnison Valley may reach into the 80s with temperatures and weather changing very quickly. Campers will be outside for parts of the day (weather permitting). The sun’s rays are very powerful at our high elevation. Please apply sunscreen in the morning for your campers and pack extra for them to apply as needed.
Also, a light jacket or raincoat and water bottle will be useful.
Instruments & Music:
Each camper will be supplied with the following at Check-in:
● String Backpack
● Music Folder with Camp Music
● Tuner
● Guitar Pick (or rosin for fiddlers)
● Cleaning Cloth
If your camper is bringing their own instrument, consider bringing extra supplies such as guitar picks, rosin, etc. If your camper is renting an instrument, these supplies will be provided for you.
Final Performance:
The final performance will take place on Friday, July 10 at 3PM and will last about an hour and a half. Final pick-up and instrument rental return will be immediately following the concert.
About Crested Butte, Colorado:
Crested Butte, Colorado is a beautiful mountain town located 4.5 hours from Denver and 6 hours from Santa Fe. The town boasts incredible hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and other cultural activities, which can occupy parents endlessly while your campers are jamming the day away. For tourism information, visit
Visit Crested Butte.
Meet Your Teachers!
Bonnie Sims (mandolin) has been performing on stage for 15 years and started in the family band singing with her father while playing guitar and mandolin. Bonnie was awarded Best Female Bluegrass Vocalist in 2006 and 2007. Bonnie has played festivals from Rockygrass to the New West Fest. Currently, Bonnie fronts the six piece original band Bonnie & the Clydes with husband Taylor Sims.
Taylor Sims (guitar, bass) is the current guitarist and singer for the Colorado-based band, Bonnie & the Clydes and founded the bluegrass band, Spring Creek (2003-2012). He has toured nationally and has garnered a reputation as one of the top bluegrass singers guitar players and teachers in the Rocky Mountain Region. Sims teaches all level of bluegrass and flatpicking styles of acoustic guitar as well as ensemble and vocal classes.
Matt Brown (fiddle, banjo) has performed with Tim O'Brien, The John Hartford Stringband, Uncle Earl, Special Consensus, Della Mae, and played twice with Mike Snider on the Grand Ole Opry. Among Matt’s many teachers are fiddle icons Brad Leftwich, Bruce Molsky, Tracy Schwarz, Rafe Stefanini, Dirk Powell, Rayna Gellert, and Rickie Simpkins.
Brian Nelson (guitar) is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he studied a variety of instruments and musical styles. He has played music for more than 25 years and taught music for fifteen. From West African drum and dance to ukulele sing alongs to guitar lessons for all ages, Nelson brings his passion for music and life into the classroom. In addition to teaching and playing music, he also works for the online music publication Rootfire and is the Artistic Director of Queen Bee Music Association.
Lindsay Taylor (camp administrator) has worked with thousands of students, teaching theatre, Spanish, folk dance and music. Whether in public schools or summer camps, she loves watching kids explore their own talents and possibilities. A proven leader in the nonprofit sector, she is also the Director of Institutional Advancement for the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, and serves on the Board of Directors for New Mexico Folk Music & Dance Society. Lindsay is the Executive Director of Queen Bee Music Association.
Rental Instruments
Fiddles, guitars, mandolins, and banjos are available to rent on a first-come, first-serve basis for $25/week. Upright bass is not available for rent at this time. To guarantee an instrument rental, contact Lindsay Taylor, lindsay@queenbeemusicassociation.org by June 15, 2020.
