Gandondagan Beginner's Native Flute Workshop Report

We had a great time at the Ganondagan Native American Dance & Music Festival last weekend. There were many Finger Lakes Flute Circle members in attendance at the festival as well as participating in the Native flute workshop. This is the second year that the workshop has been held at Ganondagan, conducted by flute maker William Harjo with support by Finger Lakes Flute Circle founder Jefferson Svengsouk. There were many children interested in the Native American flute, and it was impressive how rapidly they learned to play with instruction. Jefferson also had the enjoyment of playing along with the popular Family Drum Jam. This has always been a great festival, and we look forward to holding a third workshop at next year's festival.

From the Ganondagan web site:

William Harjo is a member of the Creek Nation at Okmulgee Oklahoma. William grew up in McIntosh County OK with cultural ceremonies and speaking only his Creek language till he started 1st grade. He is an award winning flute maker. William has had the honor of displaying and playing his hand made flutes four times at Smithsonian venues.

William is a self taught flute player and willing to share his technique on how to master the Native American Flute.

July 2011 meeting canceled! Go to Ganondagan Native American Dance & Music Festival July 23-24, 2011!

For July 2011, in place of holding a regular meeting, the Finger Lakes Flutes Circle will be facilitating a workshop for beginning Native American flute each day of the Ganondagan Native American Dance & Music Festival, July 23-24, 2011.

See you at Ganondagan!

20th Annual Native American Dance & Music Festival
Ganondagan State Historic Site, Victor, NY
Saturday, July 23 & Sunday, July 24, 2011
10am - 6pm
www.ganondagan.org

The Native American Dance & Music Festival is Ganondagan's annual summer event that features a wide range of Native American traditional dancers, musicians, storytellers, and artists sharing their cultural heritage, crafts and arts with festival goers.

This event also features the ever popular children and adult workshops such as cornhusk doll making, native foods such as fry-bread, interpreted programs in the Visitor's Center and Bark Longhouse, guided trail walks, and the family drum jam.

Ganondagan's Native American Dance & Music Festival is the only event of its kind in Western New York and over 4,000 people attend each year from 37 countries and 20 states.