Grant Dermody to replace Mark Wenner (Harmonica) for Blues Week 2022

Unfortunately, Mark Wenner will not be teaching at Blues Week this year. He had to cancel because of a scheduling conflict. I am pleased to announce that Grant Dermody will be replacing him and teach 2 intermediate/advanced and 1 beginner class. Grant has a history with us and has taught at Blues Week for many years. Previous attendees will testify to Grant’s superb skill in communicating how to play the harmonica. Below is his bio and a Blues Week 2022 class description.

GRANT DERMODY, Harmonica
Grant Dermody is a harmonica player, singer and songwriter active in Acoustic and Chicago Style Blues, Old Time, and other forms of American Roots Music. He is a strong rhythm player as well as an inventive soloist. Grant is skilled at adapting his playing to fit the needs of both the genre and the song.

Blues Harmonica (beginner/intermediate)
The beginning class will focus on chord and single note tone production, rhythmic playing, tongue blocking, vamping and bending notes. The class will start at the beginning and progress at a comfortably challenging pace.

Blues Harmonica (intermediate/ advanced)
One of Grant’s classes will focus on improvising and tone production. He will spend a great deal of time working on being able to hear and hold down a groove as a solo performer.  His other class will look at developing repertoire that may not arise from the harmonica or blues world, and finding ways to incorporate the voice and harmonica to best serve the song.