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Leigh Nelson

Boiling Springs, SC

Leigh Nelson came to bluegrass music in the 80s when friends were jamming and she wanted in on the fun. Leigh learned by ear and developed her skills at jam sessions and festivals. Most at home on her 5-string bass, she also plays guitar and mandolin.

Combining her experience as corporate CEO in Arizona with her passion for jamming, Leigh has been an indispensable partner for her husband Gilbert Nelson at Wernick Method jam camps since 2011. Affectionately known as “General Leigh” at jam camps, she is adored as a seasoned and skilled teacher who treats everyone like family.

Email Leigh
“She put me at ease and got me across the finish line.”
“Leigh made it fun and easy, a wealth of knowledge.”
“Leigh knows jamming, she’s da bomb!”
“Leigh serves all who attend with genuine pleasure and friendship.”
Today

Weekend Jam Camp

New Faith Baptist Church 1224 Mayberry Rd, Dallas

Register now for Gilbert’s camp!

  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming in the first class!
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught

Do you qualify? It’s easier than you may think!
If you play guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass, or dobro… you can be part of a bluegrass jam. Only requirements - be able to:

  • Tune your instrument and
  • Change smoothly between G, C, D, and A (or the notes that work on bass and fiddle)

Bluegrass Jam Camp prior to MerleFest

Camp Harrison 7901 South NC Highway 18, Boomer

.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1{font-style:normal;color:#cc0000;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1 mark, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1 mark{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;} Taught by Gilbert Nelson using the Wernick Method Boomer, NC just prior to MerleFest Camp Harrison, 7901 South NC Highway 18, Boomer NC 28606 (10 miles south of Wilkesboro) Monday – Thursday 9:15am-5:00pm each day Tuition: $485 Includes lunches, snacks, and Camp Harrison student fee. $15 off through Feb 1. $100 deposit holds your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. You will be sent the full set of of student materials … Read More

Weekend Jam Camp

Kings Mountain State Park 1277 Park Rd, Blacksburg

Register now for Gilbert’s camp!

  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming in the first class!
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught

Do you qualify? It’s easier than you may think!
If you play guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass, or dobro… you can be part of a bluegrass jam. Only requirements - be able to:

  • Tune your instrument (electronic tuning devices welcome) and
  • Change smoothly between G, C, D, and A. (Fiddles and basses need to know which notes work with which chords)

Weekend Jam Camp

Jubilee House Retreat Center 822 East Main St, Abingdon

Register now for Gilbert’s camp!

  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming in the first class!
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught

Do you qualify? It’s easier than you may think!
If you play guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass, or dobro… you can be part of a bluegrass jam. Only requirements - be able to:

  • Tune your instrument (electronic tuning devices welcome) and
  • Change smoothly between G, C, D, and A. (Fiddles and basses need to know which notes work with which chords)

Bluegrass Jam Camp

Jubilee House Retreat Center 822 East Main St, Abingdon

.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_a8feb5-2f, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_a8feb5-2f{font-style:normal;color:#cc0000;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_a8feb5-2f mark, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_a8feb5-2f mark{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;} Taught by Gilbert Nelson using the Wernick Method Bristol/Abingdon, VA at the Jubilee House Retreat Center 822 East Main St, Abingdon VA 24210 Tuesday 2-6pm; Wednesday/Thursday 10am-6pm; Friday 10am-4pm just prior to the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Tuition: $425 Includes all meals (Tue dinner thru Fri lunch) plus Friday festival pass. $100 deposit holds your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. You will be sent the full set of … Read More

Weekend Jam Camp

Myrtle Beach KOA Campground 613 5th Avenue South, Myrtle Beach

.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1{font-style:normal;color:#cc0000;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1 mark, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1 mark{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;} Taught by Gilbert Nelson using the Wernick Method Myrtle Beach, SC at the Myrtle Beach KOA Campground 613 5th Avenue South, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 October 19-22, 2023 Thursday 4-8pm; Friday and Saturday 10-6pm; Sunday 10-4pm Assisted by Leigh Nelson Tuition: $425 Friday, Saturday and Sunday lunches included. $100 deposit holds your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. You will be sent the full set of of student materials as … Read More

Weekend Jam Camp

Jubilee House Retreat Center 822 East Main St, Abingdon

.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1{font-style:normal;color:#cc0000;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1 mark, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_527759-a1 mark{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;} Taught by Gilbert Nelson using the Wernick Method Abingdon, VA at the Jubilee House Retreat Center 822 East Main St, Abingdon, VA 24210 Friday 4-8pm; Saturday 10-6pm; Sunday 10-4pm Assisted by Leigh Nelson Tuition: $325 Saturday and Sunday lunch included. $100 deposit holds your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. You will be sent the full set of of student materials as soon as you register. Lodging on-site available at … Read More