Scott Hopkins


Scott Hopkins (Delanson, NY) brings a unique perspective to music, jam and banjo education, with overlapping public school music teaching and banjo performing careers spanning decades. Along with teaching Band at Duanesburg Central School District near Albany, NY he performs with The McKrells, the Upstate Bluegrass Band at the Saratoga Race Track, and with his own trio featuring originals and bluegrass, jazz and latin influenced tunes. Scott also teaches private in-person and virtual banjo students and at various jam and banjo camps throughout the Northeast. In recent years he has released two critically acclaimed solo banjo recordings.

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“Scott is an absolutely terrific musician, but he’s an even better instructor!”

“Scott’s teaching style was very relaxed and engaging. He ALWAYS took time to ensure that things were organized and directed toward an outcome. He has a natural ability to make you feel that you CAN accomplish the myraid of small challenges.”

“I didn’t want the class to end!”

“Scott kept things moving along at a comfortable pace.”
“He was so sensitive, understanding and patient with a student who exhibited limited skills. He stayed with him, delicately pushed him, and truly helped this student believe in himself.”
“Scott blends just the right amount of silly with serious to create a learning experience that’s thorough AND fun!”
Categories: New York

Events from this teacher

Today

  • Bluegrass Jam Camp prior to Grey Fox Festival

    Oak Hill, NY Four-day camp (Mon-Thu), starting just prior to the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (July 14-17, 2022). Taught by Scott Hopkins and other Wernick Method teachers.

  • Bluegrass Jam Camp prior to Grey Fox Festival

    Oak Hill, NY 1 Poultney Road, Oak Hill, NY, United States

    Register now for Scott'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)

  • Jam Class at Ashokan Banjo Weekend

    The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd., Ashokan, NY, United States

    Calling All Pickers!
    You'll be sent student materials as soon as you register.

    • Learn to jam with people like you
    • Hands-on instruction: rhythm, lead, harmony singing
    • Learn standard bluegrass repertoire and etiquette
    • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
    • Intermediates welcome, given extra challenges
    • Only requirement: play G, C, D, A chords (or matching notes on fiddle or bass

  • Holiday Bluegrass Jam Class

    Sand Lake Center for the Arts 2880 NY-43, Averill Park, NY, United States

    Get ready for the season with this Holiday Bluegrass Class!
    A "Holiday Jam Songbook" will be provided, and standard bluegrass jam songs will be ringing through air as well!

    • Learn to jam with people like you
    • Hands-on instruction: rhythm, lead, harmony singing
    • Learn standard bluegrass repertoire and etiquette
    • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
    • Intermediates welcome, given extra challenges
    • Only requirement: play G, C, D, A chords (or matching notes on fiddle or bass

  • Sunday Jam Class

    The Cock 'n Bull 5342 Parkis Mills Rd., Galway, NY, United States

    Calling All Pickers!
    You'll be sent student materials as soon as you register.

    • Learn to jam with people like you
    • Hands-on instruction: rhythm, lead, harmony singing
    • Learn standard bluegrass repertoire and etiquette
    • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
    • Intermediates welcome, given extra challenges
    • Only requirement: play G, C, D, A chords (or matching notes on fiddle or bass

  • Jam Camp prior to Grey Fox Festival

    Oak Hill, NY 1 Poultney Road, Oak Hill, NY, United States

    Register now for Scott'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)

  • Holiday Bluegrass Jam Class

    Delanson, NY private residence, Delanson, NY, United States

    Calling All Pickers!
    You'll be sent student materials as soon as you register.

    • Learn to jam with people like you
    • Hands-on instruction: rhythm, lead, harmony singing
    • Learn standard bluegrass repertoire and etiquette
    • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
    • Intermediates welcome, given extra challenges
    • Only requirement: play G, C, D, A chords (or matching notes on fiddle or bass

  • Weekend Jam Camp

    Delanson, NY private residence, Delanson, NY, United States

    Taught by Scott Hopkins using the Wernick Method Friday: To get a jump start on the camp, this optional "intro to jamming" session will get new players acquainted with jam etiquette, chord changing and other necessary basics for navigating jams. The camp starts the next morning with the same material, ...

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  • Jam Camp prior to Grey Fox Festival

    Oak Hill, NY 1 Poultney Road, Oak Hill, NY, United States

    Calling All Pickers!
    You'll be sent student materials as soon as you register.

    • Learn to jam with people like you
    • Hands-on instruction: rhythm, lead, harmony singing
    • Learn standard bluegrass repertoire and etiquette
    • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
    • Intermediates welcome, given extra challenges
    • Only requirement: play G, C, D, A chords (or matching notes on fiddle or bass

  • Weekend Jam Camp

    Delanson, NY private residence, Delanson, NY, United States

    Calling All Pickers!
    You'll be sent student materials as soon as you register.

    • Learn to jam with people like you
    • Hands-on instruction: rhythm, lead, harmony singing
    • Learn standard bluegrass repertoire and etiquette
    • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
    • Intermediates welcome, given extra challenges
    • Only requirement: play G, C, D, A chords (or matching notes on fiddle or bass