Fall in love with traditional Appalachian music and the thrill of a good tale. Open up to an Allegheny Highlands Week. These rugged mountains have nurtured a rich and vibrant culture that resonates in its songs, ballads, and oral traditions. Learn to document life stories and community experience through the art of deep listening. This course will explore techniques for seeking out and recording the voices and songs of local citizens through field trips to West Virginia hillside farms and general stores.

Learning the tools and approaches of folklife documentation, this class will visit singers, farmers and artists of the spoken word. Where possible, students should come with audio recorders and cameras. This course is open to anyone wanting to broaden their appreciation for the richness of local life by exploring the vibrancy of folklore and the oral tradition.

Let the Allegheny Highlands be your classroom. Visit homes, farms and country stores in rural communities. Meet life-long experts on West Virginia life: folk artists and farmers, horse teamsters, and singers.

Apply this class to coursework or professional development in fields such as  Anthropology, Folklore, Communications, English, History, American Studies, Social Work, Planning, Law, Medicine, Biology, Geology, Education, Economics, Nursing, Health and Nutrition, Hospice Training, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Theology, Ethnomusicology, Cultural Journalism, and Tourism.

Instructors Michael and Carrie Kline, folklorists, audio producers, singers and guitar players, met through a mutual love for the spoken word and song.  Their production company, Talking Across the Lines: Worldwide Conversations, has documented both individual narratives and interwoven expression of broad communities. The Klines are experienced at teaching deep listening, oral history and Appalachian heritage. They are seasoned audio producers and public folklorists.  Their courses have attracted students from various disciplines and professionals of all kinds, including social workers and carpenters, educators, museum directors, and life-long learners. 

*Educational credits may be available for students and teachers.*

This course is sponsored by Talking Across the Lines, LLC. For tuition, housing, meals and other logistical information please see http://www.folktalk.org/events.html or call (304) 636-5444.