June 23 - 28, 2024

Join us in Rodney, Michigan at Camp Brethren Heights.

Register for Earful 2024 today!

A black and white heart-shaped linocut print depicting two musicians looking out over farm fields. They are facing away from the viewer. One has long hair and is playing the fiddle, and the other has short hair, a hat, and is playing the banjo. Print by Gray Reynolds.

The excitement is building as Earful organizers prepare for our 16th year of Earful of Fiddle, on June 23-28, 2024 at Camp Brethren Heights! Wherever you are in your music and dance path, we have something for you. Register today and join us for an amazing few days with talented instructors.

We can’t wait to laugh, sing, play, and dance with you this June! Register now here.

Refund policy: We understand circumstances change. If you cancel your camp registration before May 1 we offer a full refund. If between May 1-May 15, you’ll receive a refund minus a $150 fee. If after May 15, no refund.

Click here to check out our current Earful 2024 instructors!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with questions or concerns. Know that we’re counting the days until mid-June!

Sincerely,
Nic Gareiss, Director of Dance (nic.gareiss@gmail.com)
Bruce Bauman, Director of Stringed Instruments (earful_of_fiddle@yahoo.com)
Kris Stableford, Director of Operations (thestablefordagency@gmail.com)

A close image of an Earful camper wearing tap shoes and cuffed jeans. Their left foot is turned out and a pair of sneakers rest on the floor in the background.

Our mission is the passing on of traditional dancing and fiddling, with related instrumental traditions. We encourage learning to play by ear, knee-to-knee, foot-to-foot, from tradition bearers in a non-competitive setting. The result is the perpetuation of community-based entertainment and creative traditional arts practice.

About Earful

Earful of Fiddle Music & Dance Camp, established in 2009, offers aspiring musicians and percussive dancers the opportunity to learn from experienced musicians and dancers who are passionate about passing it on. Earful of Fiddle provides four days of classes in multiple levels of percussive dance, traditional fiddle, guitar, banjo, cello, singing, and ukulele.

Five evenings of jam sessions and dancing expose participants to the idea of the “community session,” consisting of fiddle tunes accompanied by a host of rhythm instruments and dancing feet.

A detail image of the wooden scroll of an upright bass belonging to an Earful camper with metal geared tuners. The bass is leaning against a picnic table in the camp lodge.

“A well designed, intimate camp. So many return campers could lead to cliques, but I find the Earful gang to embrace all newcomers and welcome them in to all activities with enthusiasm. It's like everyone wants to share the joy of the camp and let others in on ‘our little secret.’ Great stuff.”

- Earful of fiddle camper

Logos for Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, LowellArts, and Mecosta County Community Foundation.

This activity is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Minigrant Program, administered by LowellArts.