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Music Instruction
Award-winning music lessons, ensembles, and group classes for aspiring musicians of all ages and skill levels — children, teens, and adults.
Early Childhood
Morning & Full-Day Preschool programs with a full, child-centered curriculum of creative specials like music, science, drama, social and emotional learning, and more!
Music Therapy
Established in 1966, our pioneering Center for Music Therapy (CMT) uses guided music experiences to help individuals meet life's challenges.
Bop Stop
BOP STOP at The Music Settlement is Cleveland's premier listening room: an intimate, acoustically pristine performance venue with sweeping views of Lake Erie.
Ages: 12+
Session Length: One Day
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner and Up
Gather with friends new and old...
Join us each month for an informal jam session at our Ohio City campus as we learn and share folk tunes by ear. This music is the kind you might hear at square dances or contra dances. Everyone is welcome -- bring your instrument!
Open to fiddle/violin, viola, cello, double bass, banjo, guitar, and mandolin. Musicians should have at minimum some experience and familiarity with their instrument.
This program is free of charge, but donations are welcome! All donations will support the mission of The Music Settlement and the talented team who coordinates these events.
This program is made possible by support from the William O. and Gertrude Lewis Frohring Foundation.
Jam sessions take place the third Wednesday of every month. Registration is required as space is limited. Click "Enroll" below to reserve your seat today.
Session | Day | Time | Campus | Fee | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 17, 2022 - August 17, 2022 Aug 17, 2022 - Aug 17, 2022 | Wednesday | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Ohio City | Donations Accepted | Enroll |
September 21, 2022 - September 21, 2022 Sep 21, 2022 - Sep 21, 2022 | Wednesday | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Ohio City | Donations Accepted | Enroll |
October 19, 2022 - October 19, 2022 Oct 19, 2022 - Oct 19, 2022 | Wednesday | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Ohio City | Donations Accepted | Enroll |
November 16, 2022 - November 16, 2022 Nov 16, 2022 - Nov 16, 2022 | Wednesday | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Ohio City | Donations Accepted | Enroll |
Instructor, Fiddle
Paul Kirk has been playing bowed string instruments since 1980 and has been teaching them privately in classroom settings and workshop formats since 1988. He studied music theory, composition, music education, music history, and musicology at Cleveland State University. While at CSU, Paul played vio... Expand
Paul Kirk has been playing bowed string instruments since 1980 and has been teaching them privately in classroom settings and workshop formats since 1988. He studied music theory, composition, music education, music history, and musicology at Cleveland State University. While at CSU, Paul played violas da gamba, krummhorns, and recorders in early music ensembles. He was a founding member of Good Company: A Vocal Ensemble and has founded many of his own bands over the years including A Hundred Thousand Welcomes Celtic Ensemble, Knives and Forks English Country Dance Ensemble, and Down the Road Old-Time String Band. He has composed over 500 folk tunes in a variety of styles.
Paul has closely studied the music of Appalachia, the history of American old-time fiddling, source fiddlers, as well as the social aspects of the music. Since July 1, 2018, he has been creating and sharing videos each Sunday through his Old-Time Tune of the Week series on YouTube. Paul puts a great focus on fiddle bowing patterns and techniques and has devised practical methods for teaching with excellent results. One of his specialties is teaching old-time fiddle to crossover students, especially those coming from a background in classical violin and other musical traditions.
Paul taught viola, choir, music history, and assisted with drama and art for ten consecutive summers at orchestra and fine arts camps for The Music Settlement when it was known as the Cleveland Music School Settlement.