After five years, the traditional music program PacJAM continues to grow.

A 10-week semester of classes for teens and adults 15 years or older starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at Tryon Fine Arts Center. 

PacJAM’s small classes offer plenty of opportunity for individualized lessons, program representatives said. Instructors for the semester are regional musicians, with a lineup that includes new faces for the program as well as returning favorites. 

Amy Buckingham will lead the fiddle class, while Bob Buckingham will teach clawhammer banjo. The duo has made traditional music together for decades, and are archived in the Digital Library of Appalachia. They have been with PacJAM since the program’s inception, and specialize in close harmonies and dance tunes. 

Red Sims is a performer with decades of teaching experience. Sims returns to the PacJAM program after a hiatus, and will teach mandolin and guitar classes this fall. 

Bluegrass banjo instructor Phil Jenkins grew up surrounded by music. His great-uncle, Snuffy Jenkins, originated the three-fingered bluegrass picking style made famous by Earl Scruggs. Jenkins has played banjo, guitar and washboard for decades, and is proud to carry on the family tradition. 

New PacJAM instructor Kyle Landers will lead ukulele students. Landers has combined his love of mountain music with his love of woodworking to become a luthier in Hendersonville. A multi-instrumentalist, Kyle plays ukulele, guitar, banjo and dulcimer.

Registration is open for Wednesday afternoon classes from Sept. 12 to Nov. 14. Interested students may learn more at tryonarts.org/pacjam or by calling 828-859-8322.

– Submitted by Julie Moore