Junior Jam Camp Faculty
Camp Director - Eric Richard Stone
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Singer-songwriter Eric Richard Stone joined the staff of FolkWest in 2013, initially as a kid's camp instructor and later as a "Jack-of-all-Trades" during both spring and fall festivals. This year marks his first year stepping naturally into the role of Camp Director at the Junior Jam Camp.
Stone has been performing diverse styles of bluegrass, blues, and folk since 1978. Formerly the guitar player and lead vocalist for the Boulder, CO based bluegrass band, Switchgrass, and (along with multi-instrumental son, Peter Stone) the duo Stone soup, Stone’s previous release, Junk Yard Dog garnered praise from national reviews. His latest release Circle Round The Sun renders a blend of original soul-grabbing ballads and traditional folk songs in a fashion reminiscent of Tim O’Brien, Darrell Scott, or David Mallett.
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Eric is excited to bring great music teachers together with talented kids to share a love of music that continues to inspire new generations.
Bonnie and Taylor Sims are a musical couple from Texas who now make their home in the Rocky Mountains. The two met in 2005 while attending South Plains College in Levelland, TX where they began their life of love and music. Over the last ten years they have made a name for themselves as a true Colorado treasure with a full touring schedule as well as many teaching and speaking commitments.
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Bonnie Sims sings & plays mandolin and carries on the musical tradition of her father, a life long Texas banjo playing legend and songwriter. Taylor Sims sings & plays flat-top guitar and is an award-winning songwriter and recording artist from wide open spaces of West Texas. They tour regularly as an acoustic duo, as well as front a five piece country/rock band called Bonnie & The Clydes. With four critically acclaimed albums and multiple awards they continue to write, perform and produce real Americana music that is truly their own.
Originally from Northern Illinois, Justin Hoffenberg currently makes his home in Boulder, CO. Growing up in a musical household, he attended many concerts as a child and was drawn towards music.
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At 10 years old Justin joined his 5th grade orchestra, where he played the violin for one year before beginning Suzuki lessons, which he pursued until graduating high school. The summer between 5th and 6th grade Justin attended the Rockygrass festival in Lyons, CO, as well as the camp that precedes it. He ventured to the camp not knowing anything about bluegrass, but was immensely changed by the experience and has never looked back. He played in bluegrass bands from the time that he was 13; professionally since he was 15 years old.
While a senior in high school, Justin helped form Long Road Home, the bluegrass band with which he is still playing full time. When not with Long Road Home, you can find him playing with a variety of projects, across a variety of genres. He’s been known to appear with his Rock and Roll band, The Bimarinal, and even at times as a guest eTone on the eTown radio show.
Maggie Taberna is a singer and mandolin player who began her musical journey in northern Wyoming. Growing up in a musical family, she went to many festivals and became immersed in acoustic music. She began to develop her voice in school ensembles and in college. Her father introduced her to bluegrass when she was 12 years old and gave her a mandolin. While playing music with her family, she also became involved with her bluegrass community. After graduating from college with an Associates of Fine Arts in Music, she moved to Boulder, Colorado.
Gregg Daigle earned a Classical Guitar Performance Degree from UMASS in 1992. From 1993-1995 Gregg lived and worked in Cambridge, MA, where he enjoyed full exposure to the East Coast Bluegrass picking scene. In ’95 he moved to Albuquerque, NM, to establish himself as a solo performer and music educator. Currently, he maintains a private studio of over 40 students, and has built a large community of local pickers with his unique jamming programs. You can learn more at www.GreggDaigleMusic.com