Ballad Singing Workshop with Donna Ray Norton

Join 8th generation ballad singer Donna Ray Norton for an immersive Ballad Singing Workshop on Saturday, August 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. EST, held in the museum’s Performance Theater and Learning Center. This unique workshop delves into one of the nation’s oldest surviving oral traditions, allowing participants to learn traditional ballads in the time-honored “knee-to-knee” style of teaching that has preserved these songs through generations. Raised in the Sodom Laurel community of Madison County, North Carolina, Donna has spent nearly 30 years carrying forward the rich legacy of family and community traditions, emphasizing the connection between music, history, and Appalachian culture. Attendees will hear traditional ballads, learn about the passionate singers behind them, and collaboratively learn a ballad, all while engaging in thoughtful conversation. Limited to 15 participants, this workshop is ideal for both newcomers and those already familiar with traditional music, offering a rare opportunity to engage with a vibrant, living tradition that continues to resonate today. The cost is $40.64, and more information can be found at [Birthplace of Country Music](birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/event/ballad-singing-workshop-with-donna-ray-norton/).