Tara Shupe
About
Tara Shupe was raised playing traditional American Fiddle Music and Bluegrass. She began playing festival stages at 6 years old and toured the US and Europe playing mandolin and singing with the award winning youth bluegrass band String Fever starting in her teens, taking the stages of Telluride, Rockygrass, La Roche Festival in France, GreyFox, IBMA, and more. More recently, the band Tara Shupe and the Ponies allowed her to build skills on bluegrass guitar, and recording and performing music with Shupecabra allowed for exploration of electric-guitar technique. Salt Lake City's Band of Ferns is Tara's most recent project in which she sings and swaps guitar, mandolin, and fiddle on her original songs. Look for these recordings on streaming services and Bandcamp.
She has taught mandolin and fiddle for many decades, taking her first students in her teens, with a focus on American fiddle music, old time, and bluegrass. After studying Jazz guitar at University and fronting bands on Bluegrass guitar, she felt confident in her ability to teach students on guitar and has brought many students from their first notes to playing community jams. Bluegrass flat-pick technique as well as theory up-the-neck builds skills for any genre.
Tara is working toward her Masters in Social Work, and teaches exercises in using practice time for mood regulation and mindfulness.
Teaching Style
Utilizing an open approach, teaching is guided by a student's goals, musical tastes, and background. Skills taught include note reading or tablature, ear training, building repertoire, exploration of scales and keys, intentional practicing, communal jamming, and improvisation.
Curriculum
Each student is different. Lesson plans are based on a student's musical tastes, background, skill level, and goals. Some choose to build skills toward participating in music-playing in the community while other's imagine different expressions of their music making. Lesson plans are created colaboratively.
Credentials & Affiliations
The Shupe Family is known throughout the state of Utah for Bluegrass Music. From a legacy of fiddle players reaching back generations, The Shupes have always been bringing music to celebrations. Tara's father Ted Shupe organized some of Utah's earliest festivals in the 70s and mentored and managed dozens of young musicians in successful touring bands through the years. She is eternally grateful to have spent a decade of her childhood touring the country in a youth bluegrass band emersed in traditional music. Join the Shupes at their annual music festival Ted Fest in Wallsburg, UT the third weekend in July.
