Folk Music Week with Autoharps
A hands-on music residency where every student plays, sings, and understands music—fast.
🎶 What Is Music Week?
During this 5-day residency, students learn to:
- Sing and accompany themselves on autoharp
- Understand basic music theory (rhythm, chords, melody)
- Play together as a group with confidence
The autoharp is uniquely accessible—students can begin making real music within minutes, while still building meaningful musical skills.
🧠 Why It Works
Learning music activates multiple parts of the brain at once—
including memory, coordination, listening, creativity, and emotion.
This program combines:
- Movement + sound
- Structure + creativity
- Individual skill + group collaboration
👉 The result: engaged students who feel successful right away
🎼 What Students Experience
By the end of the week, students will:
- Read and play simple chord patterns
- Sing confidently as a group
- Understand rhythm and musical structure
- Perform together in a Friday showcase or sharing (optional)
Students go from “I’ve never played an instrument” to
👉 playing and singing together in just five days.
🎻 About the Instruments
Evo teaches using his own designs:
Options for your school:
- Evo provides instruments for the residency
- OR schools can purchase a classroom set (20–30 instruments)
No prior music experience required.
👨🏫 About Evo Bluestein
- Autoharp Hall of Fame inductee
- Music educator and instrument designer
- Decades of experience teaching in California schools
Evo combines live playing, teaching, and storytelling to create a highly engaging experience.
💬 What Teachers Say
“I am impressed with how much solid music theory is imparted in such a short time.
Each lesson connects beautifully to our curriculum—and the students are having a great time.”
— Tom Wright, 6th Grade Teacher
💬 What Students Say
“I learned so much in just five days. I’ll never forget this.”
“I didn’t think I would like it—but now I want to keep playing music.”
“I realized how much math is in music—and it made sense!”
🎉 Flexible + Easy to Implement
- Works for grades 4–12 (adaptable)
- One class at a time (rotating schedule)
- Can complement existing music programs
- Minimal setup required
🌟 Why Schools Book Again
- Students succeed quickly
- Builds confidence and collaboration
- Reinforces classroom learning (math, listening, focus)
- Creates a memorable, joyful shared experience
📅 Bring Music Week to Your School
Whether as a standalone arts residency or part of your music program, Folk Music Week with Autoharps is a powerful and engaging experience for students.
👉 Contact Evo to check availability and scheduling
Justifying Arts In the Curriculum