For generations, folk music has been passed on.
From person to person, around kitchen tables, in village halls, at dances and festivals, people have gathered to share tunes, songs, stories and traditions, learning through participation, collaboration and community.
The National Folk School continues this tradition, alongside the rich participation opportunities that occur during the Festival itself.
Learn.
Play.
Connect.
Your Festival Starts Here
What is it?
Presented in partnership with the ANU School of Music, the National Folk School is an immersive learning experience held immediately before the National Folk Festival. Internationally renowned Festival artists come together with folks from across Australia for three days of music-making, dance, creativity and connection.
Whether you're looking to deepen your skills, explore a new tradition or immerse yourself in music for a few extra days, the Folk School offers a welcoming, inspiring and collaborative environment where excellence, curiosity and community sit at the heart of learning.
The Folk School runs from Tuesday 23rd to Thursday 25th March 2027 at the ANU School of Music (Canberra) before the National Folk Festival.
The School runs as an extension to the Festival experience, so you’ll need to book a Festival season pass, plan to volunteer (applications opening 1 October), or have a pending artist application to reserve your place.
Teaching Streams
Participants choose one primary teaching stream to attend for the full Folk School schedule. Each stream explores a tradition in depth through practical music-making or movement. Tutors incorporate learning by ear alongside demonstration, discussion and collaborative playing or dancing. There will also be some classes where streams combine to play and dance together, plus informal evening sessions.
How it works
When booking, participants choose one teaching stream and then spend the three days learning with the same tutor and alongside the same participants. This allows repertoire, techniques and musical relationships to develop naturally while building a strong sense of community within each stream.
In addition to the individual teaching streams, there will be some combined classes and optional evening sessions that provide relaxed opportunities to continue sharing tunes, songs and ideas. Everyone comes together on Thursday morning for group sessions in preparation for sharing what you've learnt at the School.
On Thursday afternoon the Folk School concludes before flowing directly into the Festival Opening Concert, where the Folk School community joins the wider Festival as five days of concerts, workshops, sessions, dances and more community music-making begin.
A typical day
Each day combines focused learning with opportunities to make music together.
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Morning and afternoon teaching within your chosen stream.
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Whole-school collaborative sessions bringing all participants together.
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Time to connect with tutors and fellow participants over meals and casual evening activities.
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Optional evening sessions in the Festival tradition.
Monday 22 March is a day to gather in Canberra, with an optional evening informal meet and greet session to start things off and settle you in.
Thursday concludes at 4 pm before participants head to the Festival site for the Opening Concert and the beginning of the National Folk Festival.
There will be an optional performance opportunity during the Festival, with more information to be provided to workshop participants.
Who is it for?
The Folk School welcomes musicians and dancers who already have some experience and are excited to learn, explore and expand their skills and knowledge of traditional folk music and dance.
Participants should be comfortable learning in a collaborative environment and be reasonably self-sufficient on their instrument, and for dance, have some previous footwork experience. Advanced participants will also find plenty of opportunities to be challenged musically and technically.
If you identify more as a beginner musician or dancer, the National Folk Festival itself will be filled with ample opportunities for first experiences, supportive sessions, and workshops suited to all-comers.
Where is it?
The Folk School is held at the ANU School of Music in Canberra, William Herbert Pl, Canberra ACT 2601.
Teaching takes place in dedicated learning spaces with accessible facilities, nearby food outlets and café services.
Further venue, parking and transport information will be provided to participants before the event, but there will be plenty of paid parking available and close public transport options (light rail and bus services).
Please read through our FAQs below for more information regarding practicalities including accomodation options.
Tickets
Tickets will go live on Monday 17th August at 9am AEST.
Your ticket includes:
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Three days of small group learning with your chosen Festival artist
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Whole-school collaborative sessions.
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Optional evening sessions and activities, including on Monday 22 March
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A unique opportunity to become part of the Festival community before the gates open.
Places are strictly limited and participants select their preferred teaching stream during booking. Waiting lists will operate for sold-out streams.
To keep costs down, tickets do not include catering. There is a café onsite, as well as plenty of other lunch options close by. You can also choose to self-cater, with fridge space and heating facilities available at the venue. Please see our FAQs below for more information.
Our Traditions Continue
Folk School history
A much-loved part of the Festival's history, the National Folk School has a lineage stretching back more than 25 years. Presented as the Pre-Easter Music School in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it later became the Easter Masterclasses, including programs hosted at the ANU School of Music in 2006 and 2007, before becoming the National Folk School and occurring for several years in the 2010s.
Its return to ANU in 2027 after a long hiatus renews a connection between the Festival and the university that stretches back more than two decades.
Did you attend previous iterations of the Folk School? Send us your stories and photos as we look forward to reinstating this beloved event in 2027!