What Is Stringmania?
Stringmania is an immersive, residential music camp for musicians who are passionate and curious about traditional and contemporary string music in Australia.
Since 2016, Stringmania has grown into a vibrant, intergenerational community of musicians of all ages and backgrounds. Each year we gather for 6 days under the mighty Mount Donna Buang to learn, share, and celebrate through music – exploring and honouring Australia’s rich cultural diversity.
Stringmania is for people of all ages and backgrounds who seek musical, cultural, and personal enrichment – supported by an open-minded, vibrant, and inclusive community. At the heart of the camp is the belief that music connects us. We explore Australia’s rich cultural diversity, honour global traditions, and nurture the future of vernacular string playing in this part of the world.
Join us as we celebrate over a decade of Stringmania with special events, guest appearances, inspiring workshops led by world-class tutors, exhilarating jam sessions, and unforgettable performances – all set against the stunning backdrop of the Yarra Valley.
Whether you’re a returning participant or new to our community, all will be warmly welcomed to gather as we continue to celebrate where we’ve come from, where we are, and where we’re going.
Our Ethos
Stringmania celebrates the exploration of musical identity — individually, collectively, and culturally. We honour the many voices that shape our music, weaving together heritage, contemporary practice, and creative innovation.
Our learning environment is inclusive, encouraging, and built on respect. We believe in:
- Learning by ear and by heart.
- Self-directed learning with support from world-class tutors.
- Collaboration across instruments, experience levels, cultures, and generations.
- Joyful participation, with space for both serious focus and playful creativity.
Classes are self-selected by learning pace and confidence — not by age or instrumental skill.
Our Approach
The camp is built around four daily primary instrumental classes, with a focus on bowed strings (fiddle, viola, cello, double bass). All instruments are welcome, but non-bowed players need to be self-sufficient enough on their instrument to engage fully in the learning.
- Tutors teach by ear, through call and response.
- Classes are divided by learning speed — not by age or instrument.
- You are free to move between classes to find the right pace for your learning at any point.
Primary Classes:
- Strings 1: Fastest pace. For confident ear learners.
- Strings 2 & 3: Middle ground — where most participants find the right balance of challenge and support.
- Strings 4: Slowest pace. A safe, supportive, and fun space for beginners and those building ear learning confidence.
Choosing a slower class is not just about your ability — it’s also about how you like to learn.
Electives & More
In addition to the core classes, we offer electives in plucked strings (guitar, mandolin, banjo, sitar, and others depending on tutors engaged) rhythm, improvisation, dance, song, and more. Electives may be one-off workshops or multi-day projects that lead to a performance or recording. We also run regular forums, providing opportunities to discuss topics centered around music, identity, and culture.
Central to camp is ‘The Whiteboard,’ the home of informal skill swaps, pop-up sessions, creative collaborations, and camper-led workshops. If you have something to share (or something you want to learn), the Whiteboard is your friend.
Evenings at Camp
When the sun goes down, the music continues. Evenings at Stringmania come alive with:
- Jam sessions (late-night or all-night!)
- Concerts
- Dances
- Storytelling
- Ceilidh night (our celebratory sharing of songs, tunes, dances, and talents)
- Quiet time with friends (or even sleeping)
Finale Concert
Stringmania will, as always, culminate in a joyful, celebratory public concert in partnership with the River Folk Festival.
Together, we take to the stage to share the music we’ve learned, created, and explored during the week – with friends, family, and the local community.
Stay tuned for concert updates and 2026 River Folk Festival info!
