Aust Banjo Conference
3rd Australian Banjo Conference is planned for 6th to 9th January 2011.
After the major success of the last two Banjo Camps, 2008 and 2009, we are looking to once again gather at Tranquil Park in Maleny for another long weekend of intensive banjo tuition in January 2011.
This remains the only opportunity in Australia for 5-string banjo enthusiasts to rapidly improve their playing, to be truly inspired and most importantly to meet other players.
Principal instructor for the 2009 conference was Ross Nickerson of BanjoTeacher.com fame. Ross is a fantastic player and professional banjo teacher who travels the world instructing in the intricacies of five-string banjo. Ross was a huge hit when he toured Australia in 2008 and 2009, and is an inspirational instructor. We are also planning to bring back Ross Nickerson and Hungry Hill for 2011 event given their popularity in 2009.
Hungry Hill have been confirmed for 2011. One of the highlights of the 2009 Conference was having Ross Nickerson’s fabulous bluegrass band Hungry Hill in attendance. Hungry Hill not only performed for the Maleny community at their Thursday night cnvert, they also provided invaluable support and instruction in the intricacies of bluegrass music.
Other instructors in the past have been two-time National Banjo Champion and full time music teacher Mr Gary Vann, 2008 National Banjo Champion Martin Louis and experienced player, teacher and banjo author Peter Nahuysen, founder and maker of Bellbird Banjos and conference convener.
I am so proud to be associated with The Australian Banjo Conference and all the fantastic people who contributed to its success. Although only our second one ever, the 2009 conference felt so comfortable and like a reunion of old friends, plus a whole lot of new ones added in for good measure. Our numbers nearly doubled from 2008 to a total of 56, which included 41 banjo players in 4 classes, 4 instructors, the fabulous members of Hungry Hill, a live-in guitarist and some wonderfully supportive husbands, wives and parents. What was really fantactic was the fact that 10 of our banjo pickers were female! More power to the ladies! We felt we had the balance just right between formal instruction, jamming, personal practice time, performance and of course the all important eating and socialising.
Our next conference is planned for the 3rd weekend in January 2011. We are planning once again to have Ross Nickerson as our very special guests. More details will be available in the new year on the Australian Bluegrass Blog and at www.bellbirdbanjos.com
A huge thank you to Ross Nickerson, Gary Vann, Martin Louis, Stu Porter, Greg McGrath, the wonderful Tranquil Park staff and of course the fabulous, talented, generous members of the Canadian bluegrass supergroup, Hungry Hill. Peter Nahuysen. Conference Convenor. – Peter Nahyusen
As a camp venue The Tranquil Park resort received the thumbs up from all participants again in 2009. The food was excellent and the licensed bar and restaurant was the perfect place to socialise, meet other players and form friendships beyond just the music. The views of the Glasshouse Mountains were spectacular and the main instruction and concert room named appropriately the Glasshouse Room had an 18 metre south-eastern wall of floor to ceiling glass to reveal stunning views of the mountains and the lush valley below. It was perfect inspiration for banjo pickin’. The rooms, many with balconies to take in the views were comfortable 2, 3 or 4 share and all rooms had an ensuite.
For more information on Camp 2009 or Bellbird Banjos, email: – Peter Nahuysen or call on 0416 113496.
Photos from the 2009 Australian Banjo Conference – Thanks to Kell Towerton, Moya Burridge and Rod Spense
Photos from the 2008 Australian Banjo Conference – Thanks to Peter Nahyusen.
Congratulations, Peter, on a great event. The instruction was great, the location excellent, and the companionship outstanding. All in all, a resounding success.