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JAM Banjo Program

Register for the Fall 2026 Season Now!

Beginning September 15th. See full schedule below.

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Instruction will take place at HSF on Tuesdays, 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm. The first hour will consist of supervised study hall/warm-ups to allow for fluctuating bus/bell schedules. Class will officially begin at 4 p.m. and end at 5:30 p.m.

JAM with us!

The Junior Appalachian Musicians Program offers elementary and middle school students the opportunity to learn banjo and guitar through small, hands-on classes rooted in Appalachian musical traditions on Tuesday afternoons.
JAM emphasizes listening, rhythm, and learning together, helping young musicians build technical skills, confidence, and a meaningful connection to regional culture. Instruction is intentionally intimate, allowing students to grow at their own pace in a supportive environment guided by experienced, professional musicians.
Fall 2026 enrollment is now open. Give your child the chance to learn music the way it has been passed down for generations—by playing with others through ear training. JAM instruction is all about listening, not memorization, and fosters a deep musical understanding.
JAM with us!

Spring Semester Dates

Sept. 15
Sept. 22
Sept. 29 (Optional Square Dance 6 pm)
Oct. 6
Oct. 13
Oct. 20
Oct. 27 (Optional Square Dance 6 pm)
Nov. 3
Nov. 10
Nov. 17
Nov. 24 (Optional Square Dance 6 pm)
Dec. 1
Dec. 8
Dec. 15
The price for the semester is $250 per student. This covers 14 weeks of the program and costs approximately $18 per lesson.
Spring Semester Dates

Justin Hefner

Meet the Instructor

Justin Hefner is a lifelong musician with a passion for both performing and teaching traditional music. He is the banjo player for The Catawba River Boys and also performs with The Bruce Long Orchestra as a trumpet player. In addition to his stage work, Justin shares his love of music as a trumpet and banjo instructor at the Harper School of Music.

Over the years, Justin has held numerous church music leadership roles, serving as a choir director, organist, and praise band member in the Hickory and Newton areas. His wide-ranging background in classical, sacred, and traditional styles gives him a unique approach to teaching and performance.

Justin studied music at Lenoir-Rhyne University and Catawba Valley Community College, where he focused on music education and performance. With decades of experience across instruments and genres, Justin is dedicated to helping young musicians grow in skill and confidence while fostering a love for Appalachian music traditions.

Meet the Instructor

Scholarship & Payment Information

Full tuition is $250/semester. The full semester tuition is requested up front. If you are unable to pay the full amount up front, please contact us, and we will work with you on a payment plan.

We strive to make JAM accessible to all students, no matter their family’s income threshold. We have a limited number of partial and full JAM scholarships available that will be awarded based on demonstration of need and availability.

Scholarship & Payment Information

Refund Policy

Hart Square Foundation does not offer refunds on event tickets for any reason unless the event has been canceled. All purchases are final.

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