Meet our amazing instructors for 2020!
Greg Blake
You'll hear it in his voice immediately: the original strain of Appalachian mountain music that lies at the heart of all great modern bluegrass and country.
​
Greg Blake was born and raised in the mountains of West “by God” Virginia, and when he sings, you can hear a voice that connects to the great old generations of mountain singers, invested with a rich twang and rumbling drawl, and the kind of eerily powerful high tenor cry that first inspired the 'high, lonesome sound.' While growing up in his Appalachian home, he was exposed to a constant menu of all the country greats on the TV and the radio. And as he played with GI Joes, Tonka Trucks and HotWheels, singing along seemed the natural thing to do. At the age of seven, he begged his grandma for a guitar so that he could accompany himself singing.
​
Click here to visit Greg's website and read his full bio.
​
​
Jim Malmberg
Jim Malmberg
A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Jim’s passion for music was ignited by discovering Doc Watson as a young adult. He has focused on guitar and mandolin, writing and playing bluegrass, old-time music, folk, and early 20th century swing.
Darcy Whiteside
Darcy Whiteside started playing banjo at the age of eight. In his teens he was fortunate to have Canadian banjo champion Jake Peters move to his hometown.
Since then he has played banjo across Canada with Maple Creek bluegrass band, then with The Bix Mix Boys. He has taught banjo, guitar and vocals in various workshops. Every Wednesday he teaches a Bluegrass 101 course for the Northern Bluegrass Music Circle Society. The course focuses on one song for an hour, covering harmonies, instrumentation and other intracacies that make the song interesting and bluegrass.
Darcy Whiteside also hosts the Bluegrass Hour on CKUA and Prairie Pickin' on CJSR.
Penny Malmberg
Penny Malmberg
Penny is a story telling, singing, songwriting people person with a contagious zest for life. While she started playing guitar at the age of 13, it wasn’t until her early 40’s and her kids were grown that she dusted off her guitar and started writing songs.
Penny is a story telling, singing, songwriting people person with a contagious zest for life. While she started playing guitar at the age of 13, it wasn’t until her early 40’s and her kids were grown that she dusted off her guitar and started writing songs.
Tracy Lynn
Tracy Lynn is singer, songwriter and musician. Tracy has an active engagement schedule performing as a solo artist, as well as with the SAVAGE HEARTS! Tracy Lynn & Annie Savage recently released a duo gospel album TWO COATS, premiering its release at IBMA this past September in North Carolina.
Having her hand in music for nearly 50 years and with a background steeped in old country, Carter Family style music or whatever the ‘album of the month’ was when it arrived in the mail, Tracy brings a versatile and inclusive approach to her music.
Upon returning to her hometown on Vancouver Island in 2015, Tracy opened Sound Waves Lesson Studio. At the studio Tracy teaches a variety of music lessons. Whether in a private session, group classes, beginner or intermediate jam class, Tracy is passionate in her goal to ‘get people playing music together!’ With a student base ranging from ages 3.5 - 78 years old, Tracy clearly has the ability to bring players together, create a comfortable learning environment and develop relationships that support the making of a good jam!
In addition to keeping up with her own students, Tracy can be found teaching and facilitating groups at music camps, special events and wherever an opportunity to support rising musicians presents itself.