Many, many thanks for providing such a great experience. I enjoyed every minute and came back exhilirated and totally motivated. Even if some of this fades, I will still be better off than I was before. I hope to attend every year in the future: Jim Kornmeyer (Orlando, FL)
In general, this was the best camp I’ve been to—and I’ve attended all of them. First, let me say thanks for staging the whole thing and carrying it off. An amazing feat: John Flynn (Tallahassee, FL)
Hey guys, thanks for a great experience. As a first timer and a novice player I just had a wonderful weekend. I could not have ask for a better staff of teachers. They were as friendly and helpful as they could be. The Good Lord willing I will be there next year and I will be a better player because of what I learned this year: Gene Braddock (Altamonte Springs, FL)
My expectations were exceeded for my first banjo camp. The access to the instructors was incredible. The time length of each class was correct -- a lesson was covered and there was plenty of time for questions, stories and insight from the instructor. The exposure to new styles of banjo (for me it was clawhammer) and the historical knowledge base (of the instrument, the songs, and the culture) by the instructors is an added bonus that is hard to put a value on. The Park provides a great atmosphere for learning; keeping distractions to a minimum. The concerts on Friday and Saturday are outstanding. It is so rare for my area to connect to that type of music and performance. Great stuff!: Twain Piggott (Port Allen, LA)
I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you what a great experience I had a banjo camp this weekend. Having Alan Munde there as an instructor was for me the highlight of the weekend. He teaching style and simple way of explaining things were appreciated by all of us who took his classes. I hope that you are able to have him return. This was my second camp and I plan to return. The weather was perfect, the food was much better, thank you, and I made new banjo friends: Wayne Arrington (Leslie, GA)
I achieved what I wanted. I’ve got a plan how to grow and have been introduced to what is possible. The concerts were worth the price of admission alone: Chuck Wells (Mission Hills, KS)
Overall, I had a great time and learned a great deal. I would recommend Suwannee to any banjo player. Greg Adams is a treasure. I was extremely impressed with the teaching skills of Cathy Barton Para, Mac Benford, and Paul Brown. I would consider Paul Brown's Introduction to Fingerpicking the best class I attended: Lawrence Barker: (Atlanta, GA)
I just wanted to emphasize that I had a wonderful time at this year's Suwannee Banjo Camp. Certainly the weather was cooperating, but your careful and excellent planning was the reason. So, that is a complement to you both. I did add a special comment on an evaluation form about Alan Munde, because he has a great way of teaching and explaining and breaking things down in an understandable manner, however, the other instructors were also wonderful. I have only praise for the entire experience: Merna Feygelman (Wesley Chapel, FL)
It was so cool to hang with some of the greats in Bluegrass music, thanks for your efforts: Michael Banes (Ocean Springs, MS)
The camp was a great success. For the most part the classes were great. All three jams were a lot of fun. There was plenty of good food served on time. Ivan the site coordinator seemed to have done an excellent From a logistical standpoint, nothing needs fixing; carry on: Jay O’Leary (Gainesville, FL)
Great camp, great people. Hope to be back next year! Eddie Shirley (Greenville, SC)
Enjoyed this camp even more than last year, which I did not think was possible. Looking forward to next year. Have the dates on my calendar.: Todd Goodwill (Winter Haven FL)
What a terrific time!: Jacque Rasmussen (Miltona, MN)
I took the bluegrass track and all the instructors were terriffic: Brian Berke (Jupiter, FL)
I should have added how much I enjoyed the bluegrass classes this year and the instructors. I came away with lots to work on. Also, I never had been around or had an appreciation for Old Time until camp three years ago. I now really do appreciate both the music and history. Food was great. A really good experience. Thanks for the "Close Encounter of the Banjo Kind!": Rod Casey (Valdosta, GA)
I had a blast and am very encouraged in my banjo playing: Jason Borger (Tallahassee, FL)
My first time here: a great event. Thanks to the whole staff: George Sengtock (St. Marys, GA)
Thanks again to the both of you for making this such an outstanding experience. I just hate that I have to wait another year...: Josh Turknett (Roswell, GA)
Had a great time, rubbing elbows with other banjo enthusiasts: Dan Doyle (Wawatosa, WI)
I Had fun the entire time. Thanx!: Marc Smith (Huntsville, AL)
Wonderful: Classes move well are friendly and informative, fellow students are gracious: Betty Chamlee Miller (Savannah, GA)
Very well organized and managed, and a nice mix of instructors and styles: Patrick Plumlee (Jacksonville, FL)
Since this year was my first for banjo camp, and not being a banjo player myself, I just wanted to write and say how much I enjoyed myself and have plans to return. The fiddle track was fine, I had fun in Bill Payne's guitar workshop and just had a great time in general. I promise to tell all my friends that you don't have to play the banjo to enjoy banjo camp: Carol Taktikian (Apopka, FL)
I loved it. The patience shown by teachers and students with less developed students. I must have died and went to heaven: Billy Hall (Riverview, FL)
Very enriching and enjoyable – everyone was friendly and infomrative, and the surrounds ideal: Marguerite Longeria (Tampa, FL)
As a first time attendee I cannot tell you how much the camp helped. It provided only an increase awareness of all the facets of the music associated with the banjo it provided specific in depth techniques that have helped immensely. Joe Carter (Apopka, FL)
Fantastic! Access to extremely knowledgeable instructors and musicians: (Melissa McCormick (Naples, FL)
A simply wonderful experience. I hope to return next year: Jim Kornmeyer (Orlando, FL)
The teachers: Paul Brown left me with a new way of looking at music that will be with me for the rest of my life: Cathy Pittman (Ellijay, GA)
People, music lesson, jams, dogwoods blooming, good weather, good food: Howard Pardue (Tallahassee, FL)
Diversity of styles of play, fantastic teacher/players, wonderful friendly atmosphere: Jim Wee (New Orleans, LA)
How giving [as] people were the staff, instructors and participants: Rommell Washington (New York, NY)
Relaxed atmosphere, O’Leno is the perfect venue, the patience of the instructors, access to any class, the interaction with other campers: Wayne Arrington (Leslie, GA)
Exposure to so many different playing sytyles and meeting my banjo heroes: John Catches: (High Springs, FL)
Variety of teachers with unique styles / techniques. I had a great time!: Cissy Kinney (Hamer, SC)
It refreshes / increases the passion to play. The interaction with excellent players, both instructors and attendees: Joe Carter (Apopka, FL)
Openness and accessibility of faculty: Josh Turknett (Roswell, GA)