Camp Coletrain at Smalltown Gathering

Join us for Camp Coletrain at Smalltown Gathering in Salida, Colorado. This two-day immersive music workshop, led by Coleman Smith of Yonder Mountain String Band and presented by Collegiate Peaks Bank, takes place Friday, September 25th and Saturday, September 26th. Designed for beginners through intermediate players, the workshop welcomes adults, teens, and kids ages 6 to 12.

Instructors Include: 

• Coleman Smith - Yonder Mountain String Band
• David Lawrence - David Lawrence & The Spoonful 
• Grace Easley - Roma Ransom
• Gordon Lewis - Roma Ransom
• More instructors coming soon! 

Tickets: $25 for children and $35 for teens and adults.

Don’t miss this chance to learn, play, and grow in a supportive, music-filled setting.

Still need Smalltown Gathering passes? Check out the epic line-up and get yours HERE!

Join us for Camp Coletrain at Smalltown Gathering in Salida, Colorado. This two-day immersive music workshop, led by Coleman Smith of Yonder Mountain String Band and presented by Collegiate Peaks Bank, takes place Friday, September 25th and Saturday, September 26th. Designed for beginners through intermediate players, the workshop welcomes adults, teens, and kids ages 6 to 12.

Instructors Include: 

• Coleman Smith, Yonder Mountain String Band - Beginner to Intermediate Mandolin 
• David Lawrence, David Lawrence & The Spoonful -  Beginner to Intermediate Guitar 
• Grace Easley, Roma Ransom - Beginner to Intermediate Fiddle
• Gordon Lewis, Roma Ransom - Beginner to Intermediate Banjo
• Kevin Graf, Easy Jim - Beginner to Intermediate Ukulele 

Tickets: $25 for children and $35 for teens and adults.

Don’t miss this chance to learn, play, and grow in a supportive, music-filled setting.

Still need Smalltown Gathering passes? Check out the epic line-up and get yours HERE!

{THE DETAILS}

What it is: 2 Day Music Camp taking place at Smalltown Gathering, September 25th & 26th
Who’s it for: Beginner to Intermediate Children ages 6 to 12, Teens + Adults
What are the details: Music workshops will take place at The Sherman Courtyard near the festival grounds and will feature professional instruction, applied instrument workshops and a teacher led jam session and sing-a-long. 
The Workshops: Beginner to Intermediate, ages 6+ | Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Banjo, Ukulele 

{THE LOCATION} 

• The Sherman Courtyard (behind The Velveteen) - 123 G Street Salida, CO 81201

{THE SCHEDULE}

Teen + Adult Workshop - Friday, September 25th

10am | Check-in, Get Tuned
10:15am - 12pm | Applied Instrument Workshop
12pm - 1pm | Smalltown Gathering Public Pick led by Coleman Smith

Kids Workshop - Saturday, September 26th 

10am | Check-in, Get Tuned
10:15am - 11am | Applied Instrument Workshop 
Snack/Bathroom Break
11:15am - 12pm | Family Jam
12pm - 1pm | Smalltown Gathering Public Pick led by Coleman Smith

Instructor Showcase & Family Jam - Sunday, September 27th (Located inside the festival at the Cottonwood Stage)

To top the weekend off, on Sunday we’ll gather at the Cottonwood Stage from 1-1:45 PM for an Instructor Showcase + Family Jam, where students can see their teachers in action and where select students can apply what they've learned! Parents, siblings, and friends are invited to sing along!

Don't miss the All-Star Smalltown Gathering Public Pick on Friday & Saturday from 12-1pm! This jam is instructor led, free, and open to all! 

 

----------ABOUT THE MUSIC DIRECTOR----------

Coleman Smith: CMA Founder, Camp Coletrain Inc. Music Director, Fiddle Player for Yonder Mountain String Band

Coleman Smith is an award-winning violinist and educator known for his unique blend of classical, jazz, folk, country, and bluegrass. He began playing the violin at the age of three and spent his youth traveling across the nation studying various styles of fiddle music as well as competing in some of the most prestigious fiddle contests, eventually becoming one of the nations top competitors winning the World Series of Twin Fiddling. Coleman earned a full Presidential scholarship to Marywood University, graduating Cum Laude in music performance and pedagogy. As a founding member of Rapidgrass and current fiddle player for Yonder Mountain String Band, Coleman's career as avid performer has taken him around the world both performing and teaching. Throughout his 30-year career Coleman has shared the stage with iconic artists such as Del McCoury, Darol Anger, Dierks Bentley, Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth, Billy Strings and many more. 

Learn more here --> colemansmithmusic.com

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David Lawrence: Award-Winning Musician, Founder and Band Leader of David Lawerence & The Spoonful, Camp Coletrain Songwriting Instructor

David Lawrence has called Colorado home for over a decade. Whether performing solo or with his full band, The Spoonful, David brings a unique blend of finger-picking Delta blues, Roots-Americana, soulful vocals, and Gypsy-infused jazz guitar. His songwriting has earned critical acclaim, including winning the 2025 UllrGrass Troubadour Songwriting Contest and being featured at the Portland Folk Festival Songwriter Showcase.

In recent years, David has leaned deeper into his original sound with the release of his debut full-length album, Lean In, produced by Banshee Tree frontman Thom LaFond. The album earned recognition from CPR, Westword, 303 Magazine, 5280, and Rooster Magazine and continues to receive airplay across Colorado. A poet at heart, David’s songs blend evocative imagery and storytelling with infectious melodies and rich, layered guitar work.

David is also a dedicated music educator and a familiar face in the Coletrain community, teaching at our annual Camp Coletrain in Buena Vista and at Pop-Up Camp Coletrain activations at music festivals. He serves as a band coach and leads our popular Seed to Song workshop, helping students explore the songwriting process, develop their own musical ideas, and experience the creativity and connection that come from making music together.

Learn more here --> davidlawspoonful.com

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Grace Easley: Coletrain Music Academy Instructor, Founding Member of Roma Ransom

A classically trained violinist and violist, Grace began her musical journey at age six and later earned her degree in viola performance from Missouri State University, where she also developed a passion for violin improvisation.

As one half of the nationally touring folk duo Roma Ransom, Grace has performed on stages across the country and contributed music to creative campaigns for brands like Patagonia, Yeti, and Vice. Her sound is rooted in tradition but colored by a wide spectrum of global folk styles, giving students a unique and exciting musical foundation.

Grace is a dedicated educator and in-house virtual fiddle instructor at Coletrain Music Academy, where her student-centered approach emphasizes personalized instruction and creative exploration. She also teaches fiddle at our annual Camp Coletrain in Buena Vista and at Pop-Up Camp Coletrain activations at music festivals, bringing her approachable teaching style and deep musical experience to students in lessons, workshops, and collaborative music-making experiences.

Learn more here --> coletrainmusicacademy.com/grace-easley

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Gordon Lewis: Coletrain Music Academy Instructor, Founding Member of Roma Ransom

Gordon Lewis is a seasoned multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator with over 15 years of experience performing and teaching across a wide range of traditional and contemporary genres. Best known as one half of the acclaimed folk duo Roma Ransom, Gordon has toured nationally, sharing stages with celebrated artists and contributing to film and commercial soundtracks for brands like Patagonia, Yeti, and Vice.

As a banjo instructor, Gordon specializes in both clawhammer and Scruggs-style picking, blending old-time sensibilities with modern creativity. His playing draws inspiration from Appalachian traditions, early Americana, and roots music, making his instruction a great fit for students interested in learning with authenticity, groove, and soul.

Gordon is also an in-house virtual instructor at Coletrain Music Academy, where his student-centered teaching philosophy emphasizes personalized instruction and meeting each musician where they are. Whether introducing fundamentals, patterns, and chord transitions or guiding more advanced players through stylistic nuance, he is deeply committed to helping students find their own voice through music.

Gordon is a familiar face throughout the Coletrain community, teaching at our annual Camp Coletrain in Buena Vista and at Pop-Up Camp Coletrain activations at music festivals. He leads workshops, works directly with students, and co-teaches our Intro to Acoustic Music Workshop, bringing his extensive musical experience and approachable teaching style to musicians of all levels.

Learn more here --> coletrainmusicacademy.com/gordonlewis

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Kevin Graf: Coletrain Music Academy Instructor, Easy Jim & Shanghai Metro Temple

Kevin Graf is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, and educator with a passion for helping students experience the fun and connection that comes from making music with others. Equally at home on guitar, ukulele, keys, and more, Kevin brings a versatile musical background and an approachable, encouraging style to his teaching.

An active Colorado musician, Kevin plays keys with Grateful Dead tribute band Easy Jim and is also a member of Denver rock band Shanghai Metro Temple. His experience spans rock, folk, Americana, improvisational music, and beyond, giving him a broad musical perspective that he brings into every lesson and workshop.

As an instructor at Coletrain Music Academy, Kevin focuses on meeting students where they are, building strong fundamentals, and helping them develop the skills and confidence to play the music they love.

At Smalltown Gathering, Kevin will lead Beginner to Intermediate Ukulele for both the Teen + Adult Workshop on Friday and the Kids Workshop on Saturday.

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ABOUT COLETRAIN MUSIC ACADEMY: 

Coletrain Music Academy, founded by renowned violinist Coleman Smith, is committed to making high-quality music education accessible to everyone. Our experienced faculty provides lessons for all skill levels—beginner to advanced—across a variety of instruments, including piano, percussion, and both acoustic and electric guitar. We customize each lesson to the student's age, skill level, and personal goals, ensuring they reach their full musical potential. With a results-driven curriculum rooted in practical, proven methods, we’ve helped countless students achieve their musical dreams. We have locations in Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado, and offer virtual lessons to students across the U.S. and beyond.