Published May 7th, 2026
BY RUBY IRANMANESH
The Big Sur Fiddle Camp, which hosts a one-week summer program June 21-28, invites musicians of all ages with at least one year of experience on their primary instrument to improve their musical skills with professional teachers and experienced players while being surrounded by the natural outdoor aspects of Big Sur.
The program hosts about 40 experienced musicians who spend the week-long program camping in tents and taking classes from the 17 world-class instructors who are all experienced musicians and
The program invites experienced musicians to camp underneath the stars and spend the week improving their musical talents alongside professional teachers and experienced players. Courtesy of NAIMA NASCIMENTO
composers, some of whom are Grammy winners. At the end of the week, students and teachers put on a large concert for family members and the public to demonstrate new skills and music styles they’ve learned.
“It’s the place you want to go if you love sharing music with your friends,” says Big Sur Fiddle Camp executive director Lygia Chappellet. “But it’s not just any music. We emphasize folk genres from around the world. Kids will come in with no confidence or very little confidence, and within a week, they are playing with everyone else on a number of songs.”
From bluegrass to swing, from western to jazz, the Big Sur Fiddle Camp offers a variety of music styles for students to learn.
“Everyone is just there to be in the moment with each other and play music,” says CHS junior Naima Nascimento, Chappellet’s granddaughter. “It’s a really great place to make new friends and craft new memories.”
Introduced in 2008 by Chappellet, Grace Forrest and Tashina Clarridge, Big Sur Fiddle Camp is a not-for-profit organization located on Chappellet’s Big Sur estate ranch which hovers directly over the ocean coast.
“You’re completely surrounded by nature and can pretty much go off under a redwood tree and create your own songs or just have some quiet time,” says Chappellet. “There’s a lot of freedom and inspiration in being surrounded by nature.”
At Big Sur Fiddle Camp, students participate in both day and night music classes, as well as jam sessions with their instructors and friends. Courtesy of NAIMA NASCIMENTO
In terms of day-to-day activities, campers spend their time doing farm chores, helping prepare family-style meals, enjoying the outdoor aspects of the ranch and participating in both day and night music classes and jamming sessions.
Music teachers host smaller classes throughout the day and always eat meals with the kids. Because of the smaller number of students, teachers also have the opportunity to do one-on-one sessions during the week.
“The teachers at Big Sur Fiddle Camp are a great collection of different talents from around the world and all sorts of different instruments,” says CHS junior Skyler Madsen, who has attended the camp for the past two years.
Teachers attending this year include chamber cellist Boris Andrianov from Russia, banjo player Abigail Washburn and guitarist Jordan Tice from Nashville, flat-foot dancer and vocalist Rebecca Stout from Los Angeles, local Californian celtic fiddler John Weed and many others.
“There’s also a few young teachers this year who have all been to the camp and are now returning as professional musicians to be part of our instructor staff,” Chappellet adds. “The fact that they want to return is really an honor.”
At the end of the week, Big Sur Fiddle Camp students and instructors showcase their new and improved talents at a concert put on for family members and the public. Courtesy of NAIMA NASCIMENTO
There’s an assortment of younger teachers including double bass player Logan Zaud who studies at The Julliard School and pianist composer Miles Zaud who studies at Yale Institute of Sacred Music.
The camp also provides freshly made meals every day with the help of a head chef and students who are interested in preparing food for everyone. All students are required to sign up for a daily chore such as doing dishes, walking the dogs or putting the goats away to ensure that everything remains organized throughout the week.
“Usually campers help with breakfast and dinner because those are the meals that don’t interfere with classes,” says Nascimento. “It’s fun because you can sign-up for a chore with your friends. The food is always really delicious too.”
Information about registration can be found at bigsurfiddlecamp.org.
