Annie Savage

Annie Savage is a dynamic instructor and performer “whose mission is total world domination through vibrating wooden boxes” (No Depression, 2016). Although Annie’s goal was always to play in a rock band, her parents steered her through Interlochen Arts Academy and a classical career that ended abruptly when she transferred to Berklee School of Music and rediscovered the joy of creating, playing by ear and improvising that she had lost ironically, while enrolled in music school. She is in her 5th year at Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp as the 101 instructor. We call her the Jam Whisperer and she puts on a halfway decent stage show too!

A prize-winning contest fiddler from the age of 8, Annie has performed with Aretha Franklin, Ricky Skaggs, and as a founding member of the IBMA award-winning band, Jeff Scroggins and Colorado. Her current band, The Savage Hearts, performs fiery stage shows and teaches her method for improvisation at schools, conferences and festivals. Annie’s primary goal is to help bring a pragmatic approach to the development of musicians young and old alike so that all students can enjoy a lifetime of music-making with other people.

Recent speaking engagements include presentations at ASTA (2015, “The Savage Fiddler Method”), CASTA (2015, 2016, “Join the Jam!), Leadership Bluegrass (2018, “Those Who Can: Teach” with Edgar Meyer and Steve Kaufman), International Bluegrass Music Business Conference (2017, lead panelist, “Using Effective Teaching to Enhance Career and Community”) and is the author of two books, “The Savage Fiddler Method” and “Join the Jam: Improvisation for Traditional String Players”. Annie served as the president of the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society from 2014-2017 and continues to search for ways to serve her community and share the music with as many people as possible.

She holds degrees from the Interlochen Arts Academy and the Boston Conservatory/Berklee College of Music, as well as serving on the teaching staff of bluegrass camps from Tennessee to Canada. She is currently the Director of Orchestras at Liberty High School and a PhD candidate at the University of Iowa. Alongside performing, she loves her kids Milo, Iris Mae and Oliver Fox as well as her really awesome husband Scott.

Annie has been spotted most recently at: Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp (Maryville, TN), ASTA (Salt Lake City, UT), IBMA (Raleigh NC), Leadership Bluegrass (Nashville, TN), Northern Bluegrass Circle (Edmonton, Alberta), Santa Fe Bluegrass Festival (Santa Fe, NM), Nimblefingers Bluegrass and Old-Time Camp/Festival (Sorrento, BC), Mid-Winter Bluegrass Festival (Denver, CO), Blueberry Bluegrass Festival (Alberta, CA), Durango Meltdown (Durango, CO)...and a festival near you!

2013 was Annie's first time at Kamp and we look forward to working with her again and she looks looks forward to working with you. Patiently introducing you to your first lessons on your instrument. Beginner 101 - Non-Rotation. Annie will also be teaching the afternoon vocal class Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4:15 to 5pm.