The last time William Coulter played his guitar in Tehachapi was with banjo player Ken Perlman at a house concert several years ago. The next time will be to teach classical guitar at Camp Kiya.

While the emphasis at Camp Kiya is on traditional music and dance, the class offerings also include accordion, cello, improvisation, songwriting, native Kawaiisu arts and crafts and much more. Considering the number of classical guitar students and teachers in Tehachapi, adding classical guitar seems like a natural extension of the Camp’s program and is certain to add even more spice to the already eclectic mix of music heard around the campground.

William Coulter is a Grammy-winning guitarist who is the perfect choice to bring classical guitar to the camp because he moves easily from one genre to another – from classical, to Celtic, pop, and all kinds of traditional music. Although Coulter is sure to be found mixing it up in all manner of jam sessions at Camp Kiya, his teaching will concentrate on classical guitar. His classes will be open to classical guitar players of all levels.

The class will include the basics — including sitting position, hand position, tone production, use of fingernails and fundamental technique – as well as exercises for right hand arpeggio patterns and left hand finger independence. Students will also be invited to play solos in a ‘master class’-style setting and gain feedback from the instructor and other students. Other topics such as how to deal with stage fright, music and breathing, and playing with ease and accuracy will also be covered.

William Coulter has been performing and recording for 20 years. He has a classical guitar studio at UC Santa Cruz, and is a sought-after teacher at many summer music camps.  He earned his BA in music from UC Santa Cruz and a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory. Coulter enjoys collaborations with other musicians and has toured internationally. In 1994, he earned a second Master’s degree from UCSC in ethnomusicology, with an emphasis on traditional Irish music and song.

Camp Kiya Registration Form

Tehachapi Mountain Park, 2012

Sunday, August 4 (12:00 p.m.) – Wednesday, August 8 (noon)

With three experimental years behind us, we’re looking forward to a sensational year four. We can’t wait to see our  returning friends, as well as greeting new campers for three days of music and fun among the pines of Kern County’s Tehachapi Mountain Park.  We have reserved the camp the night before for the crew to set up so we can open up for Sunday lunch and a full afternoon of instruction.

Joe Craven's Swing Fiddle Class in a Cabin

For our newcompers, “Kiya” (Kee-ya) means fun and laughter in the local Tehachapi native language, Nuwa (or Kawaiisu).  The camp is rustic, with a mess hall for meals and dancing, a campfire circle for gathering and singing, and cabins, campsites and shower facilities.  Bring the whole family, or come and make new friends while you explore different aspects of traditional music as well as learn about the Nuwa language and culture and the natural world of the mountains. Sleep in a cabin, your own tent or RV, or go home every night if you are local.  Working spouses are welcome to join us for dinner and evening activities for a small fee.

Jill Egland's Class Whistles

Music is taught mostly by ear, and based on fiddle as the most popular lead instrument in traditional music. We will have more levels and genres of fiddle and guitar classes this year, “from scratch,” beginner (a year or less of playing), intermediate and advanced.  We’re also in the process of firming up teachers to offer more levels of cello, mandolin and other instruments, as well as more singing.  As in the last two camps, we’ll have dancing and improvisation, as well as arts and crafts, nature walks and activities for youth.

Joe Craven Leads a Kitchen Jam

The cost includes camping/cabins, all activities and food.  (No discounts for sleeping at home).  Meals will be fresh and healthy, with vegetrian fare if you prefer. Fiddles, guitars, ukuleles and cellos are available for rent but must be arranged for in advance.

Written by Jill Egland, year one, 2009.

Wake up, hit the showers. Get to the mess hall. Smells terrific – that’s because the kitchen team is using local produce and organic ingredients to cook up some of the best-tasting meals (veg and non-veg) you’ve ever had.

Morning Improv Class in the Mess Hall

Choose your first morning workshop — that’s a hard one! There’s five to pick from! You get into a conversation with some others who are pouring their second cup of coffee.

Jamie Laval's fiddle class '09

The conversation continues as the group of you meander down the trail to a clearing behind the cabins. A dozen chairs are in a circle. You duck into your cabin and grab your fiddle. You’re nervous because it’s the first time you’ve actually played it in front of anyone since high school. Two hours later, you’re chuckling to yourself — and checking the location for the next  workshop.

Lunch sneaks up on you. There’s another great meal waiting, with fresh baked cookies for dessert. You grab a couple extra and head up the hill to the first afternoon workshop. But then, local nature guru, Jon Hammond, saunters by, followed by a group of hikers. It’s too good to pass up…

You hear the music before you see the group playing it. There’s still a half hour before dinner, but the jam that’s sprung up next to the mess hall has made everyone oblivious. Someone calls out to you, “Hey! Grab your fiddle!”

Jamming in the Mess Hall

It’s after dinner, and the band is setting up in the mess hall.  Everyone helps move tables and chairs.

The contra dance caller starts out easy and gradually introduces more complex steps.

Wayne Thompson Calls a Dance

The music is infectious. You jump up.

There’s a break for ice cream sundaes  and then it’s back to more dancing.

It’s late. You head to your cabin with every intention of turning in, but there’s a bonfire in the fire pit, and a group of people jamming nearby. You grab your sweatshirt and come back out to listen. You look up. There’s a billion stars canopied above you. You stuff your hands in your pockets and find half of a cookie from lunch. Sweet.

Whether you’re a musician or a music enthusiast, eight or 108, or just plain sick of the heat, consider Camp Kiya this year. Affordable and fun, Camp Kiya is a great way to explore a new instrument, improve your playing on the instrument you already have, and meet others who are doing the same. For non-instrumentalists, there’s dancing, hiking and workshops on native folklore, as well as the chance to relax among the pines with a good book.

Joe Craven, Jamie Laval and Zac Leger in Pre-Camp Concert at the BeeKay Theatre

Camp Kiya is features some of the most respected names in the traditional music community – musicians as well-known for their teaching as they are for their playing.