In our final class, we finished up Good Shepherd, learning the part that Jorma plays when someone takes a solo, and the neat turnaround back into the song. We then went through the other two songs, and we hit up Jorma with as many questions that we could think of about them. After the class, time for more pictures, autographs, and trading info. Several people from the Ohio area asked Jorma if he knew of any fingerstyle instructors near them. This prompted me to ask, without much hope, if he knew of any in New Jersey. He thought for a second and then his face lit up and said, "No, but I'll bet Barry would know. Email me and I'll check with him and get back to you." Barry is Barry Mitterhoff, a genius on the mandolin who's played with everybody, and I do mean EVERYBODY. How many mandolinists to you know of who've played with the Metropolitan Opera?
After all that, the packing began, good byes were said, and I had to tear myself away and start the long trip home.
Was it worth it? The answer is a resounding "Hell YES!". Jorma, Vanessa, Ginger, John, Mark, Aaron, (and anyone else I missed) work hard to create an environment that's almost too good to be true. The other instructors are also from the same cloth. There is a true minimum of egos and an enjoyment of their "work". This generates so much good feelings that swirl amongst the campers which builds more. Everyone I met that weekend helped make it a totally awesome weekend. It's easy to understand why so many of the campers were 'repeat offenders'. I'm planning on a return next year, hopefully twice.
In the meantime, the recording of the student performance has turned out well. I've made about a dozen copies now for those who wanted one. All I have to do is borrow a friend's computer that has a working USB port and download all the Nomad's mp3's to disk to make the classes more readily accessible.
I could go on for a number of pages, there's just so much to tell about the weekend. However, if you really want to experience it, then just do it.
