• Watch & Listen to 116 Jam Favorites!
  • Get Jamming Info
  • Jam Store: Videos & More!
Wernick Method
  • For Jammers
    • Find a Class
    • Work on Jam Skills on Your Own
    • FAQs
    • Watch & Listen – 116 Jam Favorites
    • Jam Resources
    • About Camps and Classes
    • The Jam Store
  • For Teachers
    • Roster of Wernick Method Teachers
    • Become a Wernick Method Teacher
    • Help for Bluegrass Teachers
  • See All Classes and Camps
  • For Jammers
    • Find a Class
    • Work on Jam Skills on Your Own
    • FAQs
    • Watch & Listen – 116 Jam Favorites
    • Jam Resources
    • About Camps and Classes
    • The Jam Store
  • For Teachers
    • Roster of Wernick Method Teachers
    • Become a Wernick Method Teacher
    • Help for Bluegrass Teachers
  • See All Classes and Camps

Home »
Loading view.
  • No events currently scheduled

  1. Events
  2. Ellen Carlson

Ellen Carlson

Nottingham, NH

With a Master’s in Education and 15 years of teaching math, Ellen Carlson knows what it means to be accountable for students learning what she teaches. Having started fiddle at a young age, she is a versatile and in-demand performer as well as a sought-after teacher. She has taught bluegrass at Fiddle Hell, festivals including Grey Fox and Pemi Valley, and with Pete and Joan Wernick at their jam camps. 

She runs her own camp as well and leads the NH Fiddle Ensemble, a 100+ member “orchestra”. Ellen performs bluegrass with High Range, Rock Spring, and EC & The Darrellicks.

Email Ellen
Visit Ellen’s Website
Watch Ellen Play
Watch Ellen Teach
“Learning from Ellen has been such a fun, positive learning experience for me!”
“Her supportive and easy-going personality puts the nervous beginner at ease and helps build self-confidence.”
“Ellen and this workshop have given me the confidence to sing in front of others. Ellen was always encouraging us as well as gently pushing us. This was a fun and rewarding experience for me.”
“This is one of the best things i’ve done for myself. I have so much more confidence. I feel much more relaxed when I play and sing.”
“She did a great job… very gentle and motivating with her feedback. It was a lot of fun.”
“Ellen is quite skilled at knowing when to step in, what to expect, how to teach each individual.”
“Ellen is amazing! She is an incredible player and teacher! She is so encouraging, she explains things in a way that I am able to understand.”
“Ellen has such an encouraging safe way of challenging me to stretch. I love that. She is also extremely knowledgeable about music. She is wonderful to learn from!”
Today
  • Today
  • Google Calendar
  • iCalendar
  • Outlook 365
  • Outlook Live
  • Export .ics file
  • Export Outlook .ics file
FAQs
Wernick Method Classes teach real bluegrass jamming!
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming the first hour!
  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • Full ground rules and etiquette of typical jams
  • Intermediates welcome, and given added challenges
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Ear skills taught and emphasized, as in real bluegrass
  • Learn many bluegrass standards
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught
  • How to lead songs and how to follow new songs
  • How to find melodies, fake solos, sing harmony
  • Group and individualized instruction on backup skills
  • Understanding, low-pressure, time-tested teaching

Read More About the Wernick Method

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)

Practice Jam Skills at Home!

17 songs, just 4 chords and SLOW tempos. This video will help you prepare for your first jam class. Read More

Watch a class...

..and hear what students and teacher say! Watch Now!

Pete Wernick

("Dr. Banjo"), originator of Banjo Camps and Bluegrass Jam Camps

Pete Wernick has created a method based on his years of experience teaching jamming. Wernick Method teachers are certified by Pete based on knowledge of bluegrass, teaching ability, and proper use of the Wernick Method. Pete's Full Bio

Make friends with music, make music with friends!

About

  • Help for Bluegrass Teachers
  • Become a Wernick Method Teacher
  • What is the Wernick Method?
  • Roster of Wernick Method Teachers
  • Info for Festival Directors
  • About Our Team

Resources

  • The Jam Store
  • Watch & Listen to 116 Jam Favorites
  • FAQs
  • DrBanjo.com
  • Teacher Login
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Wernick Method