Spring 2026

Over its 18 years, Big Sur Fiddle Camp has helped bolster the skills of aspiring string musicians, helping them on a path towards a career in music. L ygia Chappellet remembers the day when 13-year-old fiddle student Grace Forrest and respected instructor Tashina Clarridge knocked on her door. Forrest had been travel- ing nationwide for music camps, and she won- dered if Chappellet would host a local camp in her refurbished Big Sur barn. “I said, ‘Why don’t we try it?’ And here we are, 18 years later,” says Chappellet, executive director of Big Sur Fiddle Camp. Held on the scenic coastal cattle ranch that once belonged to Chappellet’s grandparents, the camp welcomes around 50 students ages 11 and up for solo and small-group lessons by internationally acclaimed instrumentalists, vocalists and songwriters. Between workshops, students help care for goats, complete camp kitchen chores and explore Big Sur trails. The week ends with student-led perform- ances. Some participants eventually study music in college and pursue musical careers. Others return to the camp as instructors. Organizers enjoy watching the students forge friendships and build lasting skills. “By the third or fourth day, you’re watching them play music with others or start a song that you cannot believe these kids wrote because it’s so tremendous,” Chappellet says. “They definitely spark each other’s creativity.” Big Sur Fiddle Camp will hold a Carmel concert this spring. For event information and more, visit www.youtube.com/ @bigsurfiddlecamp or www.bigsurfiddlecamp.org Young Ar tists Flour ish at Big Sur Fiddle Camp B Y R ENE E B R I NCK S SHORT CUTS MUSIC 92 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 6 Photo: Lygia Chappellet