Welcome to the Monroe Mandolin Camp

Imagine this: It’s 2012, and Monroe Mandolin Camp doesn’t exist. Fast forward to today, and it has blossomed into a singular, life-changing gathering—a place where music transcends boundaries, generations, and cultures. It has been an extraordinary joy to bring together living legends of bluegrass, master luthiers, brilliant presenters, and devoted players from across the globe, all united by a shared love for this music.

Picture this: four-hour iconic instructor concerts, reunions of Blue Grass Boys who haven’t seen each other in decades, and seasoned players meeting eager newcomers for the very first time. Strangers arrive speaking different languages, but here, everyone shares one: the language of bluegrass. The idiomatic expressions, the searing melodies, the driving rhythms—all the ingredients that Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys created—speak across generations, instantly transforming strangers into family. That is the heart of MMC: community, connection, and the living pulse of bluegrass music.

At Monroe Mandolin Camp, we don’t just preserve history; we honor it as a living, breathing culture. This music—lonesome, hard-driving, and endlessly adaptable—thrives because it evolves while staying deeply rooted in its origins. Our mission is to celebrate both the musicians who built this legacy and the new generations who will carry it forward. Here, every note played, every jam shared, and every story told contributes to the living tapestry of bluegrass.

We invite you to join us in creating new memories, expanding your musicianship, and deepening friendships with people from around the world. Witness your own growth as your instrument comes alive in your hands. Feel the joy erupt spontaneously during jams. Experience the bonds forged in classrooms, on porches, and around shared meals—connections that continue long after camp ends. Each moment, each smile, each breakthrough—together—feeds the soul and spirit of everyone here.

So, tune up your instruments, change your strings, and immerse yourself in the classic tunes and timeless instrumentals. Let them fuse into your DNA and prepare you to carry this music forward.

I can hardly wait to witness the magic, music, and connections that will unfold during camp!

Welcome, one and all,
Heidi Herzog
Executive Director