TradMaD - Traditional Music and Dance Camp


TradMaD Camp — Traditional Music & Dance Camp Saturday August 29 – Friday September 4, 2026 Registration info: Registration info for TradMaD 2026 will be available closer to camp. Meanwhile, save the dates! About Check out the 2025 Staff List! Sponsored by the Folk Music Society of New York, Inc and directed by Joy Bennett, TradMaD Camp is an annual six-day gathering of live music and dance for adults interested in traditional music and dance. Held at the beautiful and historic Pinewoods Camp in Plymouth, Massachusetts, campers can enjoy daily workshops on specific topics (such as traditional ballads), instrument instruction, dances to live music, staff concerts, vocal coaching, parties, camper concerts, jamming, and singing — and much, much more. WHEN? / WHERE? / WHAT? / WHO? / WHY? / HOW MUCH? Read more about it on ... FACEBOOK / MEETUP / YOUTUBE		WHEN? WHERE? WHAT? WHO? WHY? HOW MUCH? THINGS TO READ THINGS TO FILL OUT Order past T-shirts from Bonfire! Visit our Photo Gallery
WHEN?	Saturday August 29 – Friday September 4, 2026
WHERE?	At Pinewoods Camp, Plymouth MA
WHAT?	Workshops, dances, concerts, one-shots, camper concerts, parties, sessions, boating, swimming in two lovely ponds, relaxing, learning, and generally having fun. More specifically (subject to staff availability, phases of the moon, etc.): "If you don't pick it, it will never get better" – Beginner to advanced classes in a variety of folk instruments (and yes, cello is a folk instrument!) Dancing: Community dancing which may include a variety of American and international dance with evening dance parties for all. Community singing and playing Vocal Coaching Ballads Camper Concerts – and the applause will be for you Parties, including the popular Pub Night Spoken not Sung (story-telling, poems, monologues, etc.) Blues "Spotlight on ..." where staff members get to do whatever they choose Swimming, boating (canoes, kayaks, rowboats) on Long Pond Stitch 'n' Bitch – no set time or place, but bring your knitting, needlepoint, crochet, etc. Read Eileen Pentel's account of Weaving the music into your knitting (pdf format). Bioblitz, where we catalog the diverse fauna and flora of camp. Here's the 2024 Bioblitz Report Compare it to 2023's Report. Silent Auction, all proceeds to the Scholarship Fund. Remember, one person's old stuff is another person's new stuff, bid early, bid often, and bid high. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Take and Make – again, all proceeds to the Scholarship Fund, and you don't have to wait. Just take the item and make an instant contribution. Bookstore, where you can buy CDs etc. from the staff (and, depending on space, from campers). Again, cash, checks and credit cards accepted. . . . and more. Lots more. What else do you want? Let us know! back to top
WHO?	Singers, pickers, and dancers who love traditional music and dance. See who was on staff for 2025! See the staff lists for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020 (virtual), 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 . Sadly, Pinewoods Camp closed just before the planned 2021 gathering, too late to organize a virtual event. But we did have a Zoom chat, and many of our projected artists dropped in. Our staff members are not only performers, they are also teachers who enjoy sharing their knowledge. As well as listening and learning, campers will find plenty of opportunities to sing, jam, dance, and hang out with the staff and each other. This event is being put together by the Folk Music Society of New York, Inc., with support from a bunch of associated organizations, including: CDNY (Country Dance New York) FMSH (Folk Music Society of Huntington) FSSGB (Folk Song Society of Greater Boston) The Folk Project, NJ FSGW (Folklore Society of Greater Washington) Golden Link Folk Singing Society Jalopy Theatre & School of Music LITMA (Long Island Traditional Music Association) NEFFA (New England Folk Festival Association) NYFS (New York Folklore Society) PFMS (Princeton Folk Music Society) Traditional Song Forum (UK) plus others yet to be announced. With help and advice from CDSS (Country Dance & Song Society) and Youth Traditional Song Weekend Members of all the organizations listsed above will get the members' discounted rate. If your organization is interested, contact us
WHY?	Because we are mad about traditional music and dance of all flavors back to top
HOW MUCH?	Fees for TradMaD 2026 will be available closer to camp.
THINGS TO READ	Read about Life at Camp
THINGS TO FILL OUT	All campers and staff must read, sign, and return the Waiver, which will be available closer to Camp in Word and pdf format.
We're busy working to get this event (and this website) organized. To ask questions, make suggestions, or be added to our email list, send us an email Rev 11/11/2026 © 2015-2026 TradMaD Camp back to top