Zion Festival Event Schedule
"Learn From The Very Best Flute Instructors In The Nation

The schedule below is the 2011 schedule. 2012 schedule will be posted by the end of January.

Please look towards the bottom of the page for a more detailed descriptions of each workshop.

Vince Chafin

Free intro to the Native American Flute
This is an opportunity to get to know a brief history of its origins, how it works and to get your first few notes on it. This will be fun so be sure to take advantage of this free 30 minute class.

NAF (Native American Flute) for Beginners
Tradition says that, "the flute finds you," and now that is has, lets learn together is magical gifts, its sacred songs and open up to it's offering in our lives. In this class we will start you off right with the techniques and skills necessary to make your playing fun and easy.
All Skill Levels
$35

Playing from the Heart: Finding Your Song
Is your playing in a rut? Are you playing the same old songs and patterns over and over? Or are you a new player wondering what to play? Opening to the Light, Love and Desire we have within us, we can see the Divine Inspiration all around Us. In this "Playshop" our Hearts will be our guide as we allow them to teach us; how to Listen to what we See, how to Feel what we Hear, and how to Play from our Heart….
All Skill Levels
$35

Beginning & Intermediate Techniques, Embellishments and Ornamentations
With an understanding of basic techniques, we can bring forth the song in our hearts and minds, and share them with the world. In this class we will introduce trills, fills, frills and some wonderful tonguing techniques...
All Skill Levels
$35

Intermediate NAF-From Sound to Music
In this class we will learn dynamic phrasing, song development and interpretation, when to play and more importantly, when not to play! The power of Silence, dynamic expression, dealing with stage fright and so much more....Join Us!
All Skill Levels
$35

Beyond Solo-Learning to play with other instruments
The Native American Flute can be a journey of Self Discovery. Join us in discovering the magic of playing with other instruments in a safe, loving and supportive environment. We'll share our journey with guitars, percussion, drums, the magical "Hang drum" and more ...Come join the band!
All Skill Levels
$35

Music and Healing-Using the NAF to bring Peace and Comfort
All music is vibration and when we tune in, we can be an agent for profound healing. If your considering playing in Hospitals, Hospice, Retirement and Assisted Living Centers, Elementary schools, Yoga centers or in any therapeutic situation, this class in for you.

Private Lessons
Vince is a featured performer, teacher and workshop facilitator for festivals all over the country and has taught thousands of people to play the flute successfully. Vince is skilled at helping players at all levels with the encouragement they need to take their playing to the next level. Whether a novice, a master, or somewhere in between, Vince can bring out the very best in your playing.
$40 per half hour
Sign up at Vince's Booth

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Coyote Oldman

OLD FLUTES SPEAK:
AN OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN FLUTES
Michael will bring his hands-on museum of replica flutes and share insights from his 30+ years' of pursuing the mystery of historical flutes of North America.

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Cornell Kinderknecht

Fresh Approaches: Take your NAF playing to new levels
Fee: $35 / suitable for all levels of playing
Move forward in your playing skills. Add new ideas to your songs and improvisations. Bring sparkle, shine and feeling to your performances. Get through that "I always play the same thing" block. Through interactive examples and participation, we'll look at ways to find fresh material in our flute playing and bring out our musical expression. This workshop is suitable to players of all levels.

Learning the bansuri or other transverse flute
Fee: $45
This workshop focuses mainly on the bansuri flute from India but is also applicable for other transverse/cross-blown flutes. We'll explore the traditional uses of the bansuri as well as how to incorporate it with western instruments and the Native flute. We'll work on sound production, tone quality, and techniques to develop playing skills and breath control. This class is especially useful for those who play the Native flute and would like to develop skills on bansuri and other transverse flutes.

Private Lessons
Cornell Kinderknecht is a popular teacher for private lessons on Native flute, Anasazi style flute (rim-blown), and bansuri/transverse flute (cross-blown). Whatever your level of playing, Cornell provides practical instruction tailored to your needs and desires in the areas of style, technique, sound development, and song-writing/improvisation, nurturing your skills so you can express the music inside you through the flute. His friendly and light-hearted approach puts players at ease.
$40 per half hour lesson
You may sign up for private lessons with Cornell at his booth at the festival or by contacting him in advance through his website www.cornellk.com

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Scott August

Beginning Anasazi Flute (and other End-blown flutes)
Learn to play the Anasazi flute in a painless and fun way with master Anasazi flute player Scott August. Learn how to produce your first sounds, discover its many scales, and explore techniques to quickly improve your playing while learning the fascinating history of this captivating instrument. We'll cover:
-How to Hold the Anasazi flute
-The Embouchure
-Tips for Getting your First Note
-How to get a consistent tone
-The scales of the Anasazi flute
We'll also cover Mojave, Mojave-6, Lost Tuning flutes and look at the Quena and Xiao
Get started on your ancient flute journey now!
Cost $45

Intermediate and Advanced NAF with basic songwriting
Polish your NAF playing technique with the tricks and tips the pros use. We'll also get into the basics of writing (and remembering) your own songs
Cost $40

Private Lessons with Scott August
Take a private lesson from NAMMY winner Scott August. Whether you're interested in exploring Pueblo style flutes (Anasazi, Mojave), or Native American Style flutes (NAF), Scott August is well know for teaching in a relaxed, friendly, non-judgmental manner. His goal is to help you get to where you want to be and he tailors each lesson to the skills and desires of each student. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or an advanced player. Learn more about spicing up your playing with: vibrato, trills, turns, chirps and other special effects. Explore song-writing and "Playing-from-the-Heart" skills and how to remember your songs. Whatever your goals Scott will help you gain more confidence and experience more pleasure from your flute playing
You may sign up for private lessons with Scott at his booth at the festival or by contacting him in advance through his website www.cedarmesa.com Sign up before the festival and save $5.

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Raymond Redfeather

The Heart of Native American Flute Making Workshop
This class on flute making will focus on two very important fundamental aspects in creating a well balanced flute. One, which I consider to be the most important. Is a method of constructing sound that is not only consistently clear, but keeping the integrity of strength in the voicing that is lost so often today. Two, an in depth understanding of tips and tricks in tuning, which is a must for any serious maker. The class will also cover all the basic aspects of making from beginning to end for beginners to advanced makers. Raymond combines ancient ways with modern techniques to bring you a complete and practical way in constructing a flute. No previous wood working skills are necessary to take this class. The class includes all materials which include: A fully bored eastern red cedar flute blank, cedar block(bird), brass shim, and leather strap.

Raymond Redfeather is a mixed-blood Ojibwa(Aniishenabeg) Indian. Raymond was a full time flute maker for over 11 years and has traveled extensively across North America and Europe teaching workshops, flute and dance performances, as well as cultural education.

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Johnny Lipford

Flute Outside the Box
Are you ready to Flute Outside "The Box"?
This detailed workshop is based on the works of Jonny Lipford. It caters to participants' curiosities and desire to learn. Jonny's "flute outside the box" flare puts a refreshing new twist on learning to play your Native American flute.
Think of one question you have for Jonny, drop it in the box and then he will draw it out and teach it to everyone in a turn based fashion.   Possible subject materials:

Come prepared to learn and have fun!

For more information, please visit: www.jonnylipford.com/workshopslessons 

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Pamela Mortinsen

Beginning Didgeridoo
Learn the basic skills of playing didgeridoo in this fun and informative workshop. We will cover basic techniques getting and clarifying the drone, vocals and breathing as well as practice techniques and connecting with your instrument. Bring a notebook, a didgeridoo if you have one and an open mind If you do not have a didgeridoo, no worries, there will be plenty to borrow for the class.

Circular Breathing and Rhythm Building
Ah, now we get to the crux of didgeridoo playing. The art of circular breathing. We will take a step by step approach in dismantling the mysteries of this technique through rhythm, diaphragm, tongue, jaw and cheek movements. To go hand in hand, we will also explore building simple rhythms using basic building blocks. Bring your imagination and a notebook for this one. If you do not have a didgeridoo, no worries, we will have extras to borrow for the class.

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Cindy Green

Drums carry the heartbeat of all Creation...
During this workshop...
We will share teachings about making and caring for the drum,
the sacred responsibility of being a drum keeper,
the healing powers of drums and we will journey to meet
the Spirits of the "Parents" of your Drum.

Owl Boy says: "when each drum is born, there's a little more love in the world.

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Marby Pennington

Creating a Beaded Flute Wrap
Marby, a Master Beader, will be teaching us all of those tricks about beading that you won't learn in a book, or, for that matter, most beading classes. You will receive all of the beads necessary to make a flute wrap or bracelet, a custom ergonomic loom, engineered by her husband Vance to alleviate neck strain, and printed instructions.

Students will learn the basics of loom work including threading the loom and following a pattern to create your project. The project will not be finished during the class time but detailed instructions on how to finish will be provided. Come, join Marby and share in the fun of creating your own colorful bead work!

Once you have your own loom, you can create all kinds of different items!

Maximum class size: 10

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Michelle Carlino

Yoga for Flute Playing: The Balance of Body and Breath
Join me for a wonderful way to embrace the day as you support learning through this ancient opening of the body and the breath.

Our class will include gentle stretching and asana(posture) to open the body; breath work to build greater lung capacity and control; and a focus on relaxation and presence so that we can be in the most optimal alignment for learning and play.

Open to all ages
Appropriate for all levels
Please bring a towel or mat

Bio:
Michelle is certified in Hatha, Kripalu, Anusara, Kundalini, cardiac/cancer and therapeutic yoga. She is also a certified foot reflexologist, Reiki Master, therapeutic touch practitioner and seated chair massage therapist. She teaches Tai Chi Chih, infant massage, and various workshops on many aspects of wholistic health, meditation and relaxation.

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Anthony Natividad

Nose Flute 101
Learn to play the traditional Hawaiian nose flute.

Learning to play your "Wall Hanger" flute - Taming your "Troubled" flute

Making a Bamboo "Grandfather tuned" flute - based on your anatomy

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Jim Cutsinger

Guitar arranging and techniques for NAF
Learn how to arrange music for accompaning the Native American Flute on The guitar .

Jim Cutsinger took his first guitar lesson in Detroit, at 16. That same year he also took up the bass guitar, and began playing and teaching professionally. At 17, he started a band with a songwriter and landed a recording deal with Ahmad Jamal and AJP records.
At 18, he recorded his first album with the band at the Record Plant in NYC and began playing major venues sharing the bill with acts like Jimmy Page and the Yardbirds, Traffic with Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Alice Cooper, Joe Walsh, Steve Miller and Johnny Rivers.