Author: Michael Hall

Walker Creek Music Camp, which takes place in the rolling hills of Marin County each spring and fall, is transitioning to a new ownership and leadership team. The Northern California Bluegrass Society’s Walker Creek Music Camp Scholarship Fund will continue to support some of the camp’s students.

The camp reopened last year after a three-year Covid induced slumber. We’re delighted to have this camp back on its feet and want to share the news that it is now under new leadership. Ingrid Noyes, creator and longtime director of this camp, and before it, the CBA Music Camp, has decided that it’s time for a new chapter in her life.

With the completion of last year’s spring camp, Ingrid counted 30 music camps she has directed, starting with the first CBA music camp in 2001. She is now looking forward to having more time to play music, do more teaching, and make space in her life for other things to happen. She will stay involved with WCMC as needed and attend the Spring ’24 camp to help ensure all campers are “happy campers”, as she’s always done.

Ingrid is turning the camp reins over to Michael Bryant who has been on staff as a very popular jam leader, teacher’s assistant, and webmaster. He recently stepped in to replace assistant director Kristell Moller, who tragically passed away in 2021.
Michael Bryant is a modern-day Renaissance man with deep roots in the West Marin County community having been the chef/proprietor of well-known restaurant, Barnaby’s by the Bay in Inverness, CA between 1985 – 2005. He has been a multimedia developer, technical writer for IDG’s “For Dummies” book series and currently operates New Skye Hosting, a web development & hosting company.

Since 2008, he has pursued his musical passions as a band leader, teacher and venue booker in and around Sonoma County where he has lived since 1964.
On his commitment to the music camp’s future he said, “I met Ingrid Noyes in 2013 at Walker Creek Music Camp while serving as Food Director for Walker Creek Ranch. My love for the program/community that Ingrid created was immediate and after 10 years, I’m honored and excited for the opportunity to continue providing the excellent music education experience that is Walker Creek Music Camp.”

Going forward, Michael will be assisted by new Program Director, John Treacy and Assistant Director, Lily Reid. John Treacy is another longtime valuable staff member who formerly served in various leadership roles for the California Coast Music Camp, including director, president, on-site coordinator, teacher hiring, live sound, and volunteer coordinator. He is retired from a career leading global software teams has spent his post-retirement years playing and teaching bluegrass music.

Lily Reid got involved in music camps at the age of 7 years old taking fiddle classes at CBA Music Camp. She became a teacher’s assistant at Walker Creek Music Camp soon after Ingrid created the camp in 2013 and brings a wealth of experience to our administrative staff.

Their goal is for the camp to retain its same great, fun, awesome and inclusive spirit for traditional music lovers of all ages.

Spring ‘24 camp will feature the usual mix of Bluegrass and Old-Time music along with a very popular Irish music track. The camp is excited to have two “house bands” – The Slocan Ramblers, joining us for the first time, and the much-loved Kathy Kallick Band. They’ll also have five fantastic teachers focusing on Irish music and several other favorite new and returning teachers. Full information about the staff and classes is available on the website (see below).

Registration for spring camp opens on Friday, February 2nd. As always, some classes and lodging options are expected to fill fast. For more information, or to register, visit www.walkercreekmusiccamp.org, or call Michael at 707-579-1429.