As part of its mission, the American Banjo Museum endeavors to establish educational and instructional programs.  The first such program, entitled the International Banjo College, initiated by Buddy Griffin and Brady Hunt in 1999, began with the development of a complete curriculum of banjo related courses.  IBC development continued under the direction of Scott Whitfield in 2002.  With regularly scheduled classes held throughout the year at the Museum, the IBC was quickly established as a unique resource for serious students in search of quality four-string banjo education.

However, as the IBC program evolved, several challenges became apparent based on input and reaction from students (and/or potential students).  The first - and most significant - was the financial cost involved with taking the multi-day courses coupled with the time and expense involved with getting to and staying in Guthrie.  A second major concern related to the exclusive devotion of a multi-day class to a single aspect of quality banjo playing (as dictated by the curriculum).  Although not a challenge, it was also clear that the most successful IBC classes were those instructed by notable banjo players.

Responding to these factors, the Museum is pleased to announce its new educational program, entitled BANJO MASTERS.  As a streamlined version of the IBC, BANJO MASTERS classes will be held at both the Museum as well as in remote locations at banjo events held around the country.  Single BANJO MASTERS classes either include abbreviated instruction from up to three different courses currently part of the established IBC curriculum or be in a workshop format tied to a popular master performer.  To make BANJO MASTERS classes accessible to as many as possible, course fees have been substantially reduced from previous IBC levels.