Ethno USA 2023

Ethno USA 2023 welcomed 24 musicians from around the world (between the ages of 21-30 years old) along with 4 artistic mentors for a 12-day residency where the group created a repertoire of songs from around the world played by a very unique Ethno orchestra.

Ethno USA also invited guest mentors : Tuscarora-Lumbee drum keeper; Billy Two Rivers, Jason Crazy Bear and Lakota John, Piedmont Blues legend; Phil Wiggins, and Bluegrass banjo wizard; Tall Tall Trees, who visited us on site and shared their traditional knowledge and music with the Ethno USA ensemble.

Participating musicians got to experience a vast diversity of musical traditions both from the U.S. and other parts of the world. Between 14-16 songs were shared from 13 different countries and cultures. Participants bring with them a tune or piece of music which they teach to the other participants during the 12-day residency, creating a vibrant repertoire to be performed on stage.

All teaching at Ethno is peer-led and collaborative. Besides the formal workshops, there are plenty of opportunities to share music, traditions and jam with each other. The residency culminated in four performances for the public and two university masterclasses at NCA&T and UNCG universities that showcased traditional, original and newly-arranged songs created during the residency.

Ethno USA’s public performances took place on Thursday, September 7 at Temple Emmanuel for the community concert. At the North Carolina Folk Festival main stage on Friday, September 8th opening the festival, Saturday September 9th, and an ‘Ethno Spotlight’ performance on NC Folk Festival City Center Jam’s stage on Sunday September 10th, closing out the festival for 2023.