Targhee Music Camp - Acoustic Music Camp in Tetons at Grand Targhee Resort

12/5/2025

Dear Friends of the Targhee Music Camp,

With hearts both full of pride and a touch of sadness, we are writing to you today to share a significant announcement regarding the future of the Targhee Music Camp (TMC).

After careful consideration, the Targhee Music Foundation (TMF) Board and administration have made the difficult decision that our 17th annual camp, held this past August, was its finale. The 2025 Targhee Music Camp will be our last.

We would like to thank our artists, campers and all of the supporters who have made this amazing experience a great success. Please stay tuned for an archive of images, videos and audio from the past camps that will be added to this site over the next few months.

Please see our official press release below.

Targhee Music Past Instructors

Ben Winship - Matt Flinner - John Lowell - Tim Stafford - Brian Wicklund - Eric Thorin - Mike Marshall - Tony Trischka - Scott Nygaard - Darrell Scott - Jeremy Garrett - Rob Ickes - Danny Barnes - Tyler Grant - Casey Driessen - Mollie O’Brien - Rich Moore - Ivan Rosenberg - Peter Rowan - Rodney Crowell - Chris Pandolfi - Jesse Cobb - Travis Book - Andy Falco - Andy Hall - Tom Murphy - Carol Elizabeth Jones - Courtney Hartman - Sharon Gilchrist - Betse Ellis - Roy Andrade - Drew Becker - Hayes Carll - Stuart Duncan - Alan O’Bryant - Grant Gordy - Dan Miller - Mike Compton - Shelby Means - Celia Woodsmith - Jenni Lyn Gardner - Kimber Ludiker - Jeff Austin - Jayme Stone - Greg Garrison - Eli West - Brittany Haas - Margaret Glaspy - Joe K Walsh - Tim O’Brien - Jody Stecher - Kate Brislin - Suzy Thompson - Eric Thompson - Paul Knight - Jim Lauderdale - Billy Cardine - Paul Shelasky - Mary Gauthier - Clarke Wyatt - John Reischman - Val Mindel - Darol Anger - Spencer Bohren - Sierra Hull - Molly Tuttle - Joe Newberry - Wes Corbett - Jessie Burns - Hasee Ciaccio - Mark Lavengood - Missy Raines - Mike Merenda - Ruth Ungar - Abbie Gardner - Molly Venter - Laurie McCallister - Ben Garnett - George Jackson - Fil Pate - Joe Craven - Kristen Adreassen - Mark O’Connor - Maggie O’Connor - Joe Smart - Greg Schochet - Forrest O’Connor - Bill Evans - Kate Lee O’Connor - Mike Witcher - Ronnie McCoury - Rob McCoury - Jason Carter - Cody Kilby - Alan Bartram - Aidan O’Donnell - Natalie Padilla - Caroline Oakley - Ellie Davis - Chris Coole - Riley Calcagno - Sami Braman - Vivian Leva - Leo Shannon - Nokosee Fields - Allie Hakansan - Tristan Scroggins - Ed Snodderly - Keith Little - Flynn Cohen - Simon Leon - Tashi Litch - Andy Gabel - Paul Lee - Lindsay Lou - Caleb Klauder - Reeb Willms - Ross Martin - John Showman - Andrew Collins - Bonnie Sims - Eve Panning - Joy Adams - Hazel Royer - Melissa Chilinski - Nathan Royal

A big "Thank You" to our instrument sponsors
Gibson and Taylor Guitars.

The Targhee Music Foundation is supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming Legislature.

Imagine an afternoon in the Tetons. A head full of new tunes, rubbing elbows with your musical heroes, a community of new friends, outstanding views and great food. Free time to jam, rehearse or hike. Sounds like the prescription for sanity in this crazy world. Sounds like the syllabus for the annual Targhee Music Camp!

Four days of high level instruction
Hearty meals and comfortable accommodations
Lots of jamming
Evening performances
World-class setting
Top-notch instructors

"The excitement of artists, past participants, and musicians who have always wanted to attend the pilgrimage to Targhee Music Camp has snow balled into an avalanche of joy that this event is returning to the Tetons. We can’t wait to hear music on the mountain again."
Thomas Sneed, Camp Director

2025 Class Descriptions

The Acoustic Music of Jerry Garcia & David Grisman

Let's look at some originals and traditionals of these two icons. Joe Craven recorded and performed with Jerry Garcia & David Grisman from 1990 - 1994 in "Garcia Grisman" and he will bring insight and ideas to your understanding of their music throughout the week. We'll create a band (or bands) playing together if time allows.

All string instruments are welcome. Maybe some limited percussion if the interest is there.

Ability Level: Advanced Beginner (good grasp of chords and rhythm) up to Beginning Advanced (able to learn melodies and improvise).

This class is for beginning guitar and mandolin players to build confidence and learn about the joys of jamming and playing with others. We will cover the fundamentals of jamming while learning the songs in the Camp songbook. Major keys, minor keys, 4/4 timing, waltzes, arranging songs, harmony singing, rhythm, groove, kickoffs and endings are all topics to be discussed with Jambassador Tom Murphy. Get ready to have some fun!

Ben Winship | Chris Coole
Open to all stringed instruments. Playing level: should be able to play 3 chord songs in different keys. Students should have some familiarity with old time stringband and bluegrass repertoire, be willing to sing with a group and, if playing a melody instrument, be game to take simple solos.

This class will select, arrange and work-up a number of stringband songs. Each participant will take part in creating an ensemble lead by Ben Winship and Chris Coole. Expect to learn about arranging, group playing, dynamics and even making up your own tunes.

Caroline Oakley | Simon Leone | Ellie Davis | Tashi Litch
We are very pleased to offer a children’s track again this year with four great instructors. The class is for young musicians 8-14 years old who play an acoustic instrument (violin/fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, bass, cello, viola). The class will run from 9:30-11:30am each day of camp. Caroline Oakley, Simon, Ellie and Tashi have lots of experience facilitating music with young people in a fun and accessible way. The class will focus on learning traditional tunes and songs, and the ins and outs of playing music in a stringband setting. It will be helpful if children know some of the basic chords on their instruments. Purchasing this children’s class track is only for 2 hours each day and does not confirm attendance at the other workshops and concerts for the child or parents. Also, if your child is already picking up a storm and wants to play all day, they may be ready to join the grown ups, contact Thomas.

Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival

The 35th Annual Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival takes place August 8th, 9th and 10th, 2025 immediately following the conclusion of the Targhee Music Camp. This is a world-class festival, offering music in a beautiful setting. The festival is separate from Targhee Music Camp. Make your arrangements early.

To get more information about tickets, schedules, lodging, etc. please visit the festival website: Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival Info