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The accompaniment program for guitar, keyboard, and other chordal instruments at Winter School 2026.
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Winter School is a rare opportunity to learn from some of the best players and the most creative instructors of Celtic music, while spending time in community with fellow musicians and music appreciators.
Learn MoreLearn MoreWinter School is an opportunity to learn tunes from some of the best players and the most inspiring instructors of Celtic music, spending time in community with fellow musicians and music appreciators, and just have fun!
The guitar and accompaniment program is open to all instruments who play chords and is run concurrently with the smallpipes, song, and fiddle/melody programs, giving players of all instruments a chance to learn from each other and to play together. Students are responsible for bringing their own instruments. Click here for a sample schedule.
Students arrive on Saturday morning, February 7th. The schedule will include group classes each day, sessions, evening ceilidhs, and a few fun extras. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn pipe tunes direct from our piping instructors, attend the instructor concert, have the option to be part of our no-stress participant performance night, and more! Classes end on Wednesday, February 11th at noon. Students may choose to purchase a ticket to the Masters of Scottish Arts concert in Edmonds on Friday, February 6th.
Prices for the Guitar/Accompaniment Program include tuition, housing, and meals:
Tier 1, Single Room = $1,113 (all private bathroom)
Tier 2, Single Room = $938 (some private bathroom, some shared bathroom)
Tier 3, Single Room = $798 (all shared bathroom)
Tier 1, Shared Room = $913 (all private bathroom)
Tier 2, Shared Room = $828 (some private bathroom, some shared bathroom)
Tier 3, Shared Room = $688 (all shared bathroom)
No Lodging (meals still included) = $500
Registration opens on August 25th. Cancellations made before December 31st, 2025 will receive a full refund minus a $35 administrative fee. Cancellations made between January 1st, 2026 and January 20th, 2026 will receive a 50% refund of the payments made, minus a $35 administrative fee. Cancellations made after January 20th, 2026 cannot be refunded.
The early part of Eric’s career was spent cutting his teeth as a mandolinist in the rich local folk and roots music scene in Boston MA. Later Eric attended Berklee College of Music where he studied under world renowned mandolinist & guitarist John McGann, as well as gaining a practical knowledge of music in many styles. His education continued post Berklee and he soon found a gateway into the realm of traditional music through playing for contra dances, a native form of New England folk dance derived primarily from a combination of English, Scottish, Irish and Acadian traditions. Eric found himself quickly in demand as a DADGAD guitar accompanist for musicians playing traditional music, finding a particular niche in the Scottish & Cape Breton realm. Now well established he maintains an active touring schedule, supplemented by recording sessions and a variety of teaching endeavors. In addition to Eric’s current projects some of his touring credits include celtic supergroup The Outside Track, hodge podge folk band The Dave Rowe Trio, up and coming Scottish fiddler Katie McNally, New England contra dance band Matching Orange, folk-pop outfit Pesky J. Nixon and renowned Cape Breton fiddlers Andrea Beaton & Wendy MacIsaac.
Ross is a founding member of Gaelic supergroup, Daimh, based in the Scottish Highlands. Beyond Daimh’s busy schedule, Ross has chalked up recording and touring credits with artists such as Julie Fowlis, Bonnie Prince Billy, Muireann Nic Aomhlaoibh, Karan Casey, Finlay MacDonald and the inimitable Vallely brothers from Armagh. Time at home is spent heavily involved in teaching the joys of traditional Scottish music to young people in the area through the Feisean movement and volunteering with the local Coastguard Search and Rescue team.
