Me & Martha ~ Educational Programs and Classes

Educational Programs
by Martha Hills and Don DePoy

For more about Instruments in Mountain Music - Click <here>
Some of our songs for our Children's Program - Click <here>

Educational programs (45-minutes to full-day w/ evening concert)
Martha and Don, using informal presentations and seminars explore and explain their own folk processes as music makers, their musical instruments and cover topics including music theory, chord progressions, musical arrangements, and the impact of socio/cultural influences on American music. To help illustrate major points, their light-hearted discussions and songs can be played in an open jam session with individual or group instruction available.

Music Classes for Parents & Children (1-hour)
The benefits of music in child development theory is well documented. This workshop provides parents and children an opportunity to integrate music time into a child’s daily activities. Martha has developed this workshop to incorporate bluegrass music into a child’s life to encourage language development, rhythmic movement, singing, playing instruments, improvising, composing, and listening. This is a great occasion for parents to spend time with their children engaging in a variety of musical activities to strengthen parent/child bonds and improve self-esteem. Music making encourages interaction and self-expression which fosters self-determination allowing for personal growth and development in other areas beyond music and ultimately promotes self-advocacy as well. Written and audio materials are provided.

Children/Parents Roots Music History Class (1 Classroom period or about an hour)
What did people do for entertainment before electricity?
Specific programs are designed for grades k-12 and post secondary education. We offer curriculum development and programs for specific topics from music/movement to historical and cultural studies which are designed to actively involve the students. Martha has a background in elementary and early childhood education and loves to work with people of all ages. Don and Martha present ballads collected in Appalachia and other cultural and community heritages that are often passed on through music. They entertain and discuss sources and personal impressions of these song and stories that often deal with day to day living, work or the challenges of true love.

Roots Music History Classroom Presentation (1-hour)
Don’s doctorial dissertation focused on the articulation between American music and popular culture. Specifically, addressing the historical rise and propagation of the music now referred to as Bluegrass, this interactive discussion brings full-circle the social and economic forces which were instrumental in the development of America’s popular musics. This lecture includes the development of music as commodity from the 1850s to present with its contributing roots and branches of ethnic influences. Don’s Appalachian musical background and current vocation, as a college professor teaching Music Appreciation, affords the attendees an opportunity to delve into many aspects of American roots musics.

Appalachian Square & Round Dances (1-hour)
Don grew up playing and calling traditional Appalachian square and round dances. So if you are ready to get out on the floor, Martha and Don can liven up your social event with some circle mixers and square dancing that will get your guests off their chairs and onto the dance floor. It’s a fun way to meet the other people in your party and make lifelong friends. All square and round dance instruction are provided.

Educational Classes are fee-based with educational grants and fund-raising options available.
To find out more about the Workshops or Jam Sessions contact Martha or Don at 540-209-3540 or
email: us@meandmartha.com

don with autoharp as martha sings

266 Inglewood Court
McGaheysville, VA 22840

207-323-4800 or 540-209-3540