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The Electric Playground

Wednesday, February 24

3:00-5:30 PM

2nd Floor Lobby

Eclectic Styles Mini-Jams

Thursday, February 25

10:00 AM-3:30 PM

E257

Eclectic Styles Jam Sessions

Come learn, play, and connect at the Jam Sessions on Thursday afternoon and Friday night! For beginners through advanced, clinicians will provide instruction and guidance for everyone!

There will be a limited number of instruments to borrow for each Jam Session, but participants are encouraged to bring their own as well! These instruments must remain in this room.

Thursday, February 25

3:30-4:30 PM

E271

Five-Time Grammy-Nominee Dave Eggar is one of the leading improvisational crossover cellists in the fields of Contemporary Classical, Jazz, and Bluegrass. Dave is also one of the most sought after recording cellists in the world featured as solo cellist and arranger on iconic records such as Frank Ocean's "Channel Orange", Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" and records with everyone from Ed Sheeran to Breaking Benjamin, Benson Boone, Lewis Capaldi, Evanescence Joey Bada$$, Judy Collins and Paul Simon. Eggar has toured throughout the world including recent solo appearances at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Sydney Opera Hall and holds a second degree black belt in Shotokan karate. He is principal cellist of the Mostly Modern Orchestra.

Friday, February 26

3:30-4:30 PM

E271

Christen Blanton directs the Orchestra and Modern Band programs at The Academy at Lincoln in Greensboro North Carolina, for which she was named Guilford County Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2024. She is the director of the Old-Time Ensemble at UNC-Greensboro, where she has taught and mentored students of folk and roots music since 2016. Christen has served as chair of the ASTA Eclectic Styles Committee, and is an in-demand clinician for folk music and eclectic styles pedagogy.