Cowan Creek Mountain Music School

Cowan Creek Mountain Music School Music from the mountains... in the mountains! Stay tuned for more information!!

It’s a small but close-knit group that gathers here each year—some of the country’s finest old-time musicians, and students of all ages and levels – to celebrate our rich mountain heritage of lively tunes, heart-felt singing, spirited square dancing and storytelling. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or accomplished musician, eight years old or eighty, you’ll have the opportunity to dig deep int

o the rich repertoire of Kentucky music and gain experience playing with other musicians. Mountain music has been passed down through the generations as young learners listened to and played along with their older family members and neighbors. In keeping with this tradition, Cowan is a school for all ages, with classes taught in call and response, rather than written music, improving both your ear for music, and your ability to join other musicians from the get-go!

2021 plans are underway!!

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06/09/2026

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Come Home, Revisit, and Rekindle!

Join us June 20th from 5-9pm at the Cowan Community Center for the Cowan Creek Mountain Music School 25th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration!

Whether you're attending the full week or not, we want to see you. Come and celebrate 25-years with...

• reflections from Randy Wilson
• musical performances from Rich & the Po' Folk and the Letcher County Pick & Bow Program
• the debut screening of Ashley York's short film documenting the impact of CCMMS
• a square dance called by Randy Wilson,
jamming
• a community meal, and more!

Let's gather to reconnect and celebrate 25 years of CCMMS. Learn more and RSVP:

https://cowancommunitycenter.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/25th-anniversary-homecoming-registration-form

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05/21/2026

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Cowan Creek Mountain Music School is right around the corner and its the 25th Anniversary!

REGISTER now HERE https://cowancreekmusic.org/programs/summer-program-2026/ if you haven't already! Few more classes available and we wanna see YOU!

Even if you can’t come for the full week this year, we would LOVE to see you at this special community event celebrating 25 years of the Cowan Creek Mountain Music School. Please consider coming down for the day or weekend!

Need lodging? Check out your options HERE: https://cowancreekmusic.org/places-to-stay/

On Sunday, June 21st, let's go hiking at Bad Branch Falls https://www.discoverletcher.com/badbranchfalls together, BOND and prep for an exciting week!

Visit www.cowancreekmusic.org for more info on classes and RSVP for the Homecoming and all of that good stuff HERE: https://cowancommunitycenter.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/25th-anniversary-homecoming-registration-form

Join WHOVA: https://whova.com/portal/webapp/m-1gqywNmgkBqREh2sg7/sign_in for the most recent updates!

Do you know a Cowan Creek Mountain Music School Student who is ready to dive deep into their art practice? Charlie Whita...
04/16/2026

Do you know a Cowan Creek Mountain Music School Student who is ready to dive deep into their art practice? Charlie Whitaker Memorial Apprenticeship Applications Are Open!

The apprenticeship is primarily aimed at (but not limited to) young adult students or teaching assistants, ages 15 to 30, who are progressing well in their chosen instrument or art and are ready to commit to a year of digging deep into the tradition. It is not limited to music but can also include dance calling, storytelling or other mountain art.

Learn more and apply today at tinyurl.com/cwapprentice

Applications are due June 1st, 2026.

The apprenticeship program honors the memory of Charlie Whitaker, who introduced a new generation to square dancing at the Cowan Creek Mountain Music School, from the first school in 2002 until his passing in 2009 at the age of 80. Charlie taught and encouraged many new callers, most notably Erin Hager who attended her first square dance at the age of 14 at the 2002 CCMMS and became a Kentucky Folklife Apprentice with Charlie two years later. The apprenticeship program is intended to honor Charlie’s remarkable lifetime contribution to mountain arts and his mentorship of Erin serves as a guiding example of what we hope the apprenticeship program will achieve.

Thanks to the Nancy McClellan Giving Fund for their generous support of this program.

In just a few months, company will be coming to Cowan for the Cowan Creek Mountain Music School from June 20th-June 27th...
04/03/2026

In just a few months, company will be coming to Cowan for the Cowan Creek Mountain Music School from June 20th-June 27th, 2026. Folks will be arriving from across the region and even from places as far away as Australia, to spend a week steeped in the music and culture of this place we call home.

For many years the Parkway Inn helped house guests, but since it has closed we are looking for a little help from the community.

So we thought we’d simply ask our neighbors. Would you be willing to host a guest for the week?

We’re not looking for anything fancy. Just a welcoming place to stay. Sometimes the best part of music school happens after the classes are over. Porch picking, conversation, laughter, and the kind of connections that stay with people long after the weekends.

Thanks for considering opening your door and being part of what makes this place so special.

Address

81 Sturgill Br
Whitesburg, KY
41858

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