- This participant responded with enthusiasm, with an explorer’s zeal to unearth what defines the original concept of what bluegrass music is. The definition of “bluegrass music” is changing constantly for better or for worse. For those of us that relish the original sound this camp is as close to drinking from the well as one can find these days. The instructors are all top notch professionals ranging from hardcore practitioners of Monroe’s music to those that have been moderately influenced. I feel like the lessons I take home from this camp help me make a more pure form of this rural art form…with the intent of creating or performing music that no one ever questions is indeed bluegrass music. The brains and engine behind the Monroe Mandolin Camp are taking this seriously and offering a superior product and experience. They offer instruction and insight that I can’t find anywhere else. I’ll be the first to recommend it and tell you how much it has positively impacted my ability to make this music. John Gardinsky
- I’m hooked, that was an incredible experience. Well organized staff, good food, plenty of jamming. The facility is suited to the event. Plenty places to play with people or alone, if you want.The instructors are friendly and repaired. Six classes, three times a day for three and a half days without too many conflicts. Great concert by the instructors and scholarship winners Saturday night.If you’re a beginner or advanced player the Monroe camp has something to offer. Everyone is there to learn and celebrate Bill Monroe’s style of playing. Egos are left at the door. Beginners, intermediates, and advanced jam together, in support of each other. I would go back today but I gota wait til next September when everyone else is there. Jeff Evans
- This was my 3rd time at camp. I must admit that as excited as I was to come this time I was a little worried that I would be a little disappointed. Its not typical to keep repeating wonderful things and have them live up to your expectations. But as usual my camp experience exceeded my expectations! Such a high level of instructors that are always willing to share their knowledge and experiences just means so much to me. Not only are the instructors teaching but everyone there shares in teaching what they know. Every time I have come to MMC it’s like coming home. You can’t beat that! Valerie Lovelace
- 24 hours after arriving home, I still feel the need to get to class, find a new person to eat with, move around to different jams. The venue felt like home. Upstairs to sleep, walk downstairs to the living area, complete with comfy couches, and hang out on the porch to laugh, visit, and play music. Grins and chatter and music were everywhere. Felt like one big family! Kathy Nichols
- Extremely well organized event, great venue, great instructors, and you felt genuinely cared for. Then there was the music. if you’re considering going, stop. Because you need to just go. Rebecca Stratosphere
- The instructors are top notch but patient as well. As a less than stellar player, the other campers are so talented but so encouraging too. For mandolin players, 11 lessons stretched thru four days times six instructors… let’s see that’s 66 classes to choose from in all. Plenty of fiddle, banjo, bass and guitar classes too! Tom Hart
- Monroe Mandolin Camp is THE place to connect with serious, dedicated instrumentalists and fine pickers! The combination of getting to see professionals up close in the class room and then have those skills reiterated afterwards on stage at the Instructors’ Concert is SO valuable! It is also great place to meet other serious musical students and others of all levels! – Hannah Johnson (Sept 25, 2019)
- This camp is amazing – brilliant teachers, well organized, beautiful location, great activities – just go along – you will love it. Evan Webb (Australia)
- Learned from the best and jammed with the best. Plus, the food was outfreakingstanding! Jordan Riehm
- Monroe Mandolin Camp was a great learning experience! Best Teachers and Staff. Many new and old friends from all around the world. Fay Kirkland
- Great experience!! This will be my 3rd camp and as a beginner I felt welcomed and encouraged. Figured I’m learning what to learn, and getting to the roots of this music with guys who were taught and played with Bill. Can’t get any closer to the source these days. Mike and Heidi work tirelessly to put this together for the love of this American art form. Incredible memories,This is on my calendar permanently!!Y’all come!! John Boyd
- 2015 was the first time that I had attended he camp since the move to Nashville. I I’m glad that I made it. The teaching was over the top fantastic and the presentations were terrific, highlighted, for me by the Bluegrass Boys getting together to play and tell Monroe stories. A special thanks too, to the tireless efforts of Heidi for making sure of all or creature comforts and keeping things so well organized. I’m looking forward to renewing acquaintances this year. Onward to September! Mike Bunting (Canada)
- Mon Man Camp is the best place to learn from and be inspired by some of the very best Monroe Style mandolin pickers out there! Well organized and crammed full of workshops, presentations and jams all set in a beautiful campground forty minutes outside of Nashville, TN. The attendees are enthusiastic mando-heads from all over the world, the food and beer is spectacular, you can have your mandolin worked on by some of the best luthiers in the business (Paul Duff, Will Kimble and Steve Gilchrist were there this year) and come away with enough material and concepts to work on for a lifetime! Lukas Simpson
- Monroe Mandolin Camp 2014 was the best music camp I have ever attended and one of the best weekends of my life. The camp was run with a lot of thoughtful detail. Holding the instructor concert at Carter Vintage Guitars, for example, was a really nice touch. Heidi and Mike clearly expended a lot of effort to make the experience special. For me the highlight of camp was getting to spend time with this amazing community of instructors and students. I can’t imagine ever getting enough of these folks! I recorded most of the classes I attended, and I’ve just started going over the recordings. There is enough material here to keep me busy for a very long time. And the recordings capture some great moments: for example, David Davis encouraging a younger player to move in and play for the class. Pretty moving, really. So, a bucket of thanks to Heidi and Mike! Can’t wait for the next time around. Amanda Gregg
- For anyone interested in Bluegrass on any instrument, this camp is great. Phil Sussman
- Though this was not my first Monroe Mandolin Camp, like other years it exceeded my expectations and one month later, I am still discovering answers to questions I had not yet formulated but now understand. This year my goal was to increase my knowledge of the fretboard, playing out of chord positions, and discovering techniques that I can apply to my playing. One of the best resources at MMC is the variety of instructors who basically teach the same style of music but in their own way. After hearing an explanation more than once, seeing it demonstrated a bit differently, a light bulb can “turn on”. Not only are the instructors high quality, they are accessible and friendly. They willingly answer questions and share their knowledge both inside in and outside the classroom. There are pockets of jams everywhere with students and faculty, open to all to listen and join in. Speaking of students, it is a joy to meet up with so many talented students who have the same passion for the music. Jams and informal teaching goes on among students as well during jams and conversations. Monroe Mandolin Camp is rich in the tradition of bluegrass music, shared and taught by those who respect the source, Bill Monroe. I look forward to the next one! Kathy Nichols