Music Apprenticeship

Human communities, regardless of where we are, have made music together throughout history. Within each community, the permanence of its music traditions depends on the generational renewal of those who dedicate themselves to this art. In many cultures, this happens in universities, conservatories, and music schools, but in others, continuity depends on organic intergenerational teachings within the communities.

In the United States, many musical cultures are preserved through the oral transmission of knowledge, techniques, and traditions. This ensures not only the permanence of traditions but also their renewal, so that they remain relevant to new generations.

The Music Apprenticeship area of the 2025 Smithsonian Folklife Festival presents examples of this relationship between students and teachers, showing the multiple ways of teaching-learning created by each human community as part of its cultural heritage. Through workshops, master classes, concerts, and discussions, we will experience how multiple musical traditions flow between generations.

Below, get an introduction to the outstanding music mentors and mentees participat ing in the Festival. We invite you to experience the musical traditions of contradance, hip-hop, bluegrass, mariachi, pop, classical, and many others and marvel at the cultural techniques, skills, and values that musicians need to sustain their communities.