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Friday Jam Class

Name: Friday Jam Class
Start: 2026-01-09T14:30:00-05:00
End: 2026-01-09T17:00:00-05:00
Location: Community School of Music & Arts

Jan 9 @ 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Taught by Austin Scelzo using the Wernick Method

Ithaca, NY at the Winter Village Music Camp

Community School of Arts and Music, 330 East State St, Ithaca NY 14850

Friday 2:30-5:00pm

Tuition: $0 for students

Assisted by Paul Fairbanks and Rick Manning

winter-village-music-camp-2026-scelzo-fairbanks-manning

Tuition is $0 for students registered for the Winter Village Music Camp. You must first be registered for the WVMC to take this class.

As soon as you register you’ll receive our Student Prep Guide with links to our 116 Bluegrass Jam Favorites Playlists. A digital copy of our JAM Songbook will be emailed shortly thereafter, and you’ll also get a hard copy of the book at your class if you don’t already have one.

Austin Scelzo

Austin Scelzo (Danbury, CT) was classically trained and studied fiddle at Mark O’Connor’s String Camps, and over time learned all the bluegrass instruments. During four years as a middle school music teacher, he performed in bluegrass bands and taught bluegrass in-person and online. Austin now performs with respected veterans The Rock Hearts and the Americana quartet On the Trail, teaches jam camps and has created groundbreaking instruction materials including a popular harmony singing app. He was named Connecticut Arts Hero and nominated for Mentor of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. In 2025, he received the IBMA Industry Involvement Award.

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Visit Austin’s Website

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“Austin is a gifted musician, teacher and just all around good guy.”

“Austin was a fabulous teacher. He was able to help everyone in the class, with all their levels of expertise.”

“I learned more from 30 minutes of observing your class than my 12 years of public school music education.”

“Austin was able to help those who weren’t as advanced as others in the group. His help showed success by the last meeting when we sound like a real bluegrass group! Loved it.”

“A dedicated and enthusiastic teacher.”

“The atmosphere among all of us was very collaborative, supportive and fun, and Austin did a super job of setting that tone and keeping up a strong pace of learning at the same time.”

“Austin is a great teacher with a real passion for the music. It made for a joyous experience, and I look forward to future jams and classes. Thanks for doing what you do!”

“Austin’s enthusiasm and love of the music always came through as he led the class. We all came away with a clear sense of jamming protocols and how to lead songs.”

Paul Fairbanks (Ithaca, NY) has been playing banjo, teaching, performing, and jamming since the 1980s. He’s been a regular contributor to the Winter Village Music camp since its inception. Paul brings a down-to-earth teaching style, coupled with a healthy dose of humor, and unlimited patience. He performs with the band Grassanova. Rick Manning (Ithaca, NY) plays fiddle and mandolin, performing bluegrass, swing and contradance music with Paris Texas, String Theory, The Falling Waters Trio, The Contradictions and Cornerstone in the Ithaca and Finger Lakes area. Rick is the founder and director of the Winter Village/Falling Waters Music Camps and has been a leader in supporting the growth of Bluegrass and acoustic music in the Northeast.

Email Paul & Rick

Watch Rick & Paul Play

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Visit Paul’s Website

“Rick was readily available and generous with his time. He had many useful comments for our jam group.”

“Paul’s style of teaching is student centered. He’s good at figuring out what your strengths are, and playing to that in a super positive and encouraging way. I feel like I am getting a wonderfully rich and textured ‘banjo education’ by a gifted educator and fun dude. What a combo”

“It was great to have Rick’s quiet steady coaching in my jam group. I appreciated his suggestions.”

“It’s been a real pleasure working with Paul. He’s patient and knowledgeable and always willing to work with the student as a person.”

“What a fine musician Rick is! He was very adept during the cross-picking session and then I got to hear him play mandolin and fiddle – great stuff!.”

“Paul was great at getting the group to listen to each other, and had a great sense of humor. We always had a smile when he coached.”