Chris Sanders will offer a daily hour long songwriting workshop which will include listening to musical examples, discussion of style components (musical structure, subject matter, crafting lyrics and more) and writing exercises to incorporate some of these components.
Music and music education have been the focus of Chris’ life and work. With the advantages of excellent public school music programs and a musical home as a foundation, Chris received her BA in music education from Concordia College, Moorhead. She toured nationally and internationally with the Concordia Choir. She also holds a MA in vocal performance from Cal State East Bay. He diverse career has included teaching music at the junior high level, directing church choirs, playing keyboards in casual band and delivering singing telegrams. She co-founded the Actor’s Training Project in Oakland, CA, a program integrating voice, acting and movement. Initially working a s piano accompanist at New Mexico State University, she went on to become a vocal professor there. Chris also taught commercial music at the University of Texas at El Paso, acting as director of vocal jazz ensembles at both universities. She has truly come into her own as a performer and songwriter since turning 50. Singing and playing guitar with the Hard Road ensembles (duo, trio and full band), she has traveled the country performing at top acoustic venues and festivals. Her songs have won three New Mexico Music Awards and she collaborated in writing a fully staged musical We Are Enron produced by Emmy award winner Mark Medoff. She has acted as clinician and judge for solo and choral competitions and taught at acoustic music camp including Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp.
Elliott Rogers As a former student at Camp Bluegrass, Elliott Rogers is very familiar with the concerts and jams that make it a unique and fun experience. Several years ago, Elliott began teaching at the Camp, and his many students can testify to the contagious spirit of fun and learning that Elliott brings to his workshops in rhythm and lead acoustic guitar. Elliott taught himself how to play guitar from an easy Beatles book when he was very young, but when he heard a Doc Watson album borrowed from a friend’s mother, Elliott was profoundly moved. During the mid-70’s he kept listening to a variety of music recorded by Dan Crary, Jim and Jesse, Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on their iconic bluegrass album of the 1970’s, Will the Circle Be Unbroken. At age 17, Elliott ventured out to his first bluegrass festival, the 3rd annual Colorado Rocky Mountain festival, where he first saw Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, and the Country Gazette with Alan Munde. Elliott couldn’t imagine at that time that he would one day be playing guitar in a band with Alan Munde. After a hitch in the U.S. Army at Ft. Hood, Elliott moved to Austin where recorded with Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, and Nancy Griffith. He shared the stage with John Prine, Buckwheat Zydeco, Blaze Foley, and many others. Elliott continues as a celebrated songwriter and guitarist in the Austin area.