Camp Staff

Our instructors for the 2010 music program are all well known Atlanta-based musicians including; Caroline Aiken, Holly Howell, Ben Farmer, Charlie Wooton, Jeff Sipe, and Jess Wells.

We call on the talents of many guest instructors and resource staff to provide a broad range of skills to our groups, as well. We are dedicated to providing a unique experience for each camper as we explore and learn together. In past years, camp has been honored to host the following  instructors; Donna Hopkins, Jeff Sipe, Charlie Wooton, Ben Farmer, Caroline Aiken, Diane Durrett, Melissa Massey, Richie Jones, Ralph Roddenbery, Drew Deman and many others. 

They plan to lead the kids through a unique experience in music by helping them tune in to their own inner musician and learn to freely express themselves through music, movement, and art.

The instructors begin by seeing what interest each child. Experiencing an instrument first hand enables a child to find the instrument they connect with. Music is another way to communicate. Camp ends with a performance by the kids for family and friends.

 

 

Khalisa Taylor is the founder of Pepperland Farm Camp. Her interest in children began in high school with the organization of a summer day camp.  In 1974 she was drawn to the mountains by a great love for the outdoors and settled at Pepperland. Khalisa has a Masters degree in Special Education and works as a special education teacher.

 

 

Corey Walker is co-director.  Corey moved to Pepperland 7 years ago to live in the mountains and work with kids. She has training as a wilderness first responder and has taught primitive living skills for children.  She has some music training and works in all aspects of camp.

 

Caroline Aiken-
Independent to the bone with 7CDs, and a Grammy nomination for a Contemporary Folk CD Grammy in 2006, Caroline Aiken has done numerous performances to benefit thousands of causes, and played thousands of shows in 40 years of touring at home and abroad. Writing, producing shows, festivals, theaters, and series, Caroline has also served 12 years as Entertainment Director for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.
She has recorded with and shared stages with The Indigo Girls, Bonnie Raitt and has been a guest performer at major venues with them such as San Antonio’s Majestic Theater, Denver’s Red Rocks, and Berkeley’s Greek Theater. www.carolineaiken.com

 

Pepperland Music Camp 2010 is pleased to announce a new addition to our family!  Jess Wells will be joining us this year as our Camp Coordinator.  Jess brings several years of experience to our team, working with children in both camping and artistic settings.  Holding a degree in drama from the University of North Carolina-Asheville, Jess is also a working musician and freelance theatrician in the Atlanta area.  He lives with his wife and two beautiful little girls in Tucker, GA.  Currently, you can catch Jess' band, Jyve Tractor, playing out in the Atlanta area.  His theatrical work has been seen onstage in Atlanta at the Alliance Theatre, 7Stages, Horizon Theatre and Theatre in the Square.  Jess is looking forward to a fantastic summer with kids and crew at Pepperland Music Camp 2010, a summer full of music, camping and fun!

 

Instructor Donna Hopkins,  Atlanta-based singer/songwriter and guitarist.  Donna has been a successful blues/roots musician in Atlanta for years and has a big following (www.donnahopkins.com).

 

 

Instructor Holly Howell is a musician and an elementary art teacher and artist  from Decatur, GA.   She has been with Pepperland Camp for many years, and teaches guitar, singing, and performance.  She loves to encourage the campers to give it their all and instill a love for performing.  Her  band, Moon Goddess Cotillion (www.moongoddesscotilion.com) just released a CD last year. 
 

 

 

 

Alice Craig is both cook and instructor.  Alice is proficient in primitive living skills and has participated and cooked for Earthskills Rendezvous for many years. She a great cook for camp and is so good with moving kids around.

 

 

 

Charlie Wooton- Born and raised in Layfayette, La. I was around music my whole life but when my foster brother left a bass at my house one summer I knew what I was going to do it 'til the day I died. I was very fortunate in my musical experiences. My brothers and high school band director were the foundation for my career. Moving to L.A. at 20 years old and $20.00 in my pocket I got a job at rehearsal studio where I got to meet and play with all the musicians we used to dream about. One in particular was Kim Stone ( Spyro Gyra, The Rippingtons ), who refused to give me lessons but let me come over to his house and jam  (that's cool). I now own and play the bass he gave me. I live in Atlanta, Ga. where I now front a band called "Zydefunk" and also share the stage with Donnie McCormick, Oliver Wood and Sean Costello in Coop Da Ville.www.charliewooton.com

 

 

Jeff Sipe- Jeff Sipe, (born 1959 in Berlin, Germany) is an American drummer. He is a rock and jazz fusion drummer, however he is proficient in many other styles which he has demonstrated in his decades of drumming. He is a founding member of the self-applied Cajun Slamgrass band "Leftover Salmon", Aquarium Rescue Unit and has played in the Zambiland Orchestra, and experimental big band featuring members of Phish. Wi9despread Panic and others. www.myspace.com/jeffsipetrio

 

Ben Farmer- Ben Farmer is an Atlanta-based guitarist/singer/songwriter. He was born in Decatur, GA where his love of music was fostered in marching band, church choir, and the garages of various friends’ houses. He finished high school as drum major of the Decatur High School Marching Band and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he graduated with a degree in guitar performance and songwriting. He has been a part of music scenes all over the United States, from Boston to Nashville to San Francisco and Los Angeles. In 2004, he returned to Atlanta to build a music career out of his hometown. He has been touring regionally and teaching private music lessons ever since, further developing his unique voice as a writer and guitar player. www.myspace.com/benfarmermusic

 

Diane Durrett- Durrett has long reflected the musical passions that inspired her while growing up in Atlanta, GA. From her energy-driven breakthrough debut 50,000 Volts of Soul (1993) to her superbly executed Rhythm of Life (1998) to her acoustically-driven CHILL (2004), to the LIVE CD, Georgia On the Groove (2007), to her latest release produced by Ike Stubblefield entitled Blame It On My DNA (2009).  Her song catalogue includes co-writes with the likes of Jerry Ragovoy (Piece of My Heart), Emily Sailers (Gallileo), Kristen Hall (Baby Girl), Bonnie Bramlett (Superstar),  and William Bell (Born Under A Bad Sign). Durrett’s songs and voice are well received in films and advertising as well.
With a blend of raw soulful vocals, sultry tones and strong original songs Durrett has sung with Sting, The Indigo Girls, Gregg Allman, Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones) and Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow).  Durrett has opened shows for Tina Turner, Faith Hill, Little Feat, Delbert McClinton and Derek Trucks. In 2010 she was chosen by Grammy award winning producer Brendan O’Brien to record supporting vocals on Faith Hill’s upcoming single.  www.dianedurrett.com