05 Nov Camp Coletrain at Billy Strings Renewal
This past September Coletrain Music Academy, in partnership with Bonfire Entertainment, hosted a two-day immersive music workshop at Billy Strings’ Renewal in Buena Vista, Colorado.
This immersive, free experience was open to festival-goers, from beginner to intermediate musicians, spanning adults, teens, and young learners ages 6 to 12. Set in a lively festival environment, participants had the unique opportunity to build their musical skills and connect with others who share their passion.
Led by Coleman Smith—founder of Coletrain Music Academy and fiddle player for Yonder Mountain String Band—the workshop brought together an impressive team of instructors, including renowned musicians Casey Houlihan of Trout Steak Revival, Summers Baker of Meadow Mountain, Kay McKenzie of Little Moon Travelers, Grace Easley and Gordon Lewis of Roma Ransom, Leanna Miller of The Whiskey Sweets, and CMA instructor Leslie Jo Osborne. Supported by a group of teaching assistants and dedicated volunteers, this exceptional team created a welcoming environment where every participant was truly set up for success.
Each morning kicked off with focused instrument workshops tailored to guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass, and ukulele. These sessions provided personalized, high-quality instruction that met each student’s skill level, allowing for an engaging, hands-on experience. Following these, breakout sessions explored a variety of musical themes, sparking curiosity and encouraging participants to deepen their understanding of music’s art and craft. The afternoons wrapped up with energetic jam sessions and sing-alongs led by instructors, giving attendees a platform to perform and grow in a supportive, festival-friendly space.
For the youngest musicians, ages 6 to 12, the workshops emphasized early childhood musical development, and building confidence with stage experience, creating a fun and interactive space for kids to foster teamwork, and spark a lifelong love of music.
“This is our third Renewal, and it truly gets better every year. It’s incredibly rewarding to see students who joined us in year one now taking private lessons or playing in their school orchestras. Hearing these stories from parents really drives home the transformative power of music education—especially within the immersive setting of a music festival,” said Coleman Smith.
Camp Coletrain at Renewal was a resounding success, made possible by the dedicated Coletrain Music Academy team and the invaluable support from Bonfire Entertainment.
Coletrain Music Academy and Bonfire Entertainment are thrilled to be teaming up again at WinterWonderGrass in Steamboat, Colorado February 28th – March 2nd! Join us for more inspiring workshops and unforgettable musical experiences. Be the first to hear about upcoming events by subscribing to our newsletter [HERE] and don’t miss a beat—follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates!
Photography by Erin Nutini Photography