GROOVEMAMA - youth performance coaches

At Old Songs and Philadelphia Folk Festivals in the northeast, Groovemama turns young musicians into a polished performing group in three 90-minute sessions, culminating in a main-stage concert on Sunday afternoon. The youth group, The Great Groove Band, is in its 16th year at Old Songs and its 9th at the Philly Folk Fest (where Groovemama is also the house contradance band).

Groovemama is committed to drawing from traditional American, Canadian and Celtic sources, adding important new compositions. Having learned "toe-to-toe, knee-to-knee," from their mentors, the teachers know that's the best way to get the whole music experience. It's working, because older players often return as volunteer coaches once they reach age 18. Groovemama are also the contra and square dance band at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, where young volunteer coaches join them in playing for dancers.

Journalist Leslie Berman saw the group at Philly Folk Fest in 2012 and wrote about it for The Jambalaya News: "Eclectic Company: At the Old Songs Festival, Donna Hébert and Jane Rothfield are Groove Mamas." She said,

"I want to clone this program immediately at every festival in the country. THIS is how you make sure young people want to play folk music. You lead them around by ear for three days and then you put them on the great big Martin Stage at the Philly Folk Fest, with all the lights and TV cameras. They will NEVER forget that!"

Would you like to bring this proven, tradition-based learning experience to your young musicians? Please contact Donna Hébert to explore how to jump start the next generation of independent musicians! Fees (all are plus travel) range from a high of $4000-5000 for 3-4-day festivals with 5 staff members down to $1500 for one-day school residencies with 3 staff members. Donna also teaches solo Fiddling Demystified for Stringsworkshops.

Personnel: Donna Hébert (MA) - fiddle, voice; Jane Rothfield - fiddle, banjo; Molly Hebert-Wilson - voice; Max Cohen (MA) - guitar, rhythm, songwriting; Julie Sorcek (CT) conductor, flute, horns.  

For more festival information, or to buy tickets, please contact the festivals directly. Festivals have reduced or waived admission for under age 12 accompanied by adult. You might consider family camping at the festival. Each festival also has a Groove Band webpage, listed at

OLD SONGS FESTIVAL June 27-29, 2014  www.oldsongs.org 

PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL August 15-17, 2014 www.folkfest.org

To register a young musician for the Great Groove Band, please contact Donna Hébert at donna@fiddlingdemystified.com. Be sure to let us know:

>Skill level/how long played

>Have you been in the band before?

>Parent e-mail address