Jim DeWan is a multifaceted musician and teacher of strings. As a guitarist, his driving and melodic accompaniment style has led to performances and recordings with, among many others, Liz Carroll, Maurice Lennon, Laurence Nugent, and the Trinity Irish Dance Company, for whom he also served as musical director. He’s a recipient of the Illinois Ethnic and Folk Arts Fellowship, and, in August, 2019, he medaled in the Senior Accompaniment competition at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Drogheda.
For over three decades, Jim has served on the faculty of the world renowned Old Town School of Folk Music. Along with Irish accompaniment and tenor banjo, he teaches American and European folk styles such as bluegrass, old-time and swing as well as vocal harmony and music theory.
An accomplished composer and lyricist, Jim is a former staff songwriter for Nashville’s Acuff-Rose Publishing Company, home to Hank Williams, the Everly Brothers and Kenny Chesney. His songs have been recorded by such diverse artists as Grammy nominee Robbie Fulks, British pedal steel virtuoso Sarah Jory and mainstream country artists Baillie and the Boys.
Instructor – Mandolin & Tenor Banjo Fundamentals | Enrichment Class – Getting Your Rhythmic House in Order
2022