Workshops start on Saturday at 9 AM - See Schedule

Mandolin

Chad Fadely is a bluegrass mandolinist known for his albums like Amity Road and Mandolin Escapes, who also manages the acoustic instrument website for Music Villa, works in Bozeman, MT, and plays in bands in Montana and Idaho. He's a passionate musician with a love for vintage instruments, having released several albums and singles, often featured on streaming platforms like Spotify and Bandcamp.

Guitar

Jake Workman began paying the guitar when he received one for his 13th birthday in 2001. A year and a half later after starting the guitar, Jake’s introduction to bluegrass music came when his parents surprised him with a banjo for Christmas. Jake’s love for bluegrass grew heavily over the next few years as he attended jams and festivals throughout the Western States and eventually the entire country. He entered many instrument contests and won many titles on guitar, banjo and mandolin. In 2007 while attending the National Flat Pick Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas, Jake met other musicians that later would help form the Midwest-based band, Driven. Jake has also played in Salt Lake City based groups Cold Creek, The Aaron Ashton Band, and the Jake & Rebekah Band. In late 2015 he got the call from Ricky Skaggs to join his award-winning band, Kentucky Thunder. He has a degree in Jazz guitar performances from the University of Utah. When not performing, he teaches private lessons, composes and does session work. His 2019 record, Landmark, showcases his writing ability as well as his seasoned playing. Jake was featured on the cover of the May/June 2015 issue of Flatpicking Magazine and in 2020 he was awarded the IBMA Bluegrass Guitar Player of the Year.

Mandolin

Jeff Trask is a multi-instrument bluegrass picker and singer from western Montana. Currently playing mandolin with the band Well Beaten Path, Jeff favors the traditional side of bluegrass. His Monroesque Mandolin style focuses on strong melodies, bluesy substance and timing.

Banjo

Joe Rockafellow started playing banjo as a teenager in 1975 after being introduced to bluegrass from a well-known banjo player in Livingston, Ken Boom. He played in several regional bands including Deep River and Lone Mountain. Then at the turn of the century, he went on the road with The Grasshoppers for about a year. He is presently a member of Montana Standard out of Bozeman, Montana.

Joe is a big fan of J.D Crowe. In fact, he has a signed portrait of him hanging in his living room at his home in Livingston. He is very passionate about traditional bluegrass as a whole package. The complete band sound with vocals as a top priority are things Joe strives for when he plays bluegrass. He doesn’t consider himself a very good lead singer but loves to sing tenor harmony!

Joe lives in Livingston, Montana with his wife of 30 years, Michelle and has 3 kids, Becky, Chris, and Emily.

Fiddle

Lydia Conway studied violin classically throughout her youth and went on to earn a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance before fully embracing her path as a fiddler. As a performer she has shared the stage with bluegrass bands and songwriters, as well as gaining a reputation as a studio recording fiddler. As a teacher, she has completed training with Suzuki, Mark O’Connor Fiddle, and String Sprouts methods.

Lydia has built an online following with her fiddle tune videos, posting a tune every day on TikTok for 100 days in 2024. In addition her popular “Waltz Wednesday” YouTube series boasts thousands of views. She is the fiddler for “Release the Squirrels”, a new bluegrass band based in Missoula MT. Lydia is also a frequent duo partner with celebrated singer/songwriter Miller Campbell.

Lydia has diverse experience both teaching and performing, but has a heart for administrative work too. Lydia is the Secretary of the Montana State Old Time Fiddlers Association and previously served as Educational Programming Manager at Omaha Conservatory of Music, both are 501(c)(3) non-profit music organizations. She enjoys working “behind the scenes” to create educational opportunities for students and share the love of fiddling.

Lydia resides in the Mission Valley of Montana with her husband and two children where she enjoys yarn, gardening, chicken keeping and sourdough baking.

Mandolin

https://www.bluegrasswithfriends.com/

Mike Parsons is a talented mandolinist who has contributed to numerous bluegrass ensembles and recordings. With a deep appreciation for traditional bluegrass as well as contemporary styles, Mike brings a wealth of experience both as a performer and an educator. He has performed at festivals and workshops across the country, sharing his love for the mandolin with students and audiences alike.

Bass

Todd Wester : Growing up in Billings, MT, Todd wanted to quit band because he didn't like being the only boy in the flute section. His band director suggested he try the bassoon, and that did the trick. The bass sound was "cool." Having learned bass clef, he was tapped to play bass guitar in jazz band, and the world of bass strings and small ensembles opened up.

He took some time away from bands from 1984 until 2010, during which time he earned degrees in philosophy at Stanford University and education at Montana State University; played solo guitar; ran a fly fishing outfitting company; became a school administrator; and raised 3 children. Playing bass today satisfies the strong desire to be in a band with good friends sharing music.