European Bluegrass Summit 2025 – Panels
Navigating The European Bluegrass Scene
Friday, February 28th, 2025, 4:00 pm
• Moderator : Owen Schinkel (NL)
• Panel : Anders Ternesten (SE), Thierry Schoysman BE), Kurt de Bont (BE),
Bluegrass has steadily gained a foothold in Europe, evolving from a niche interest to a thriving musical movement. This panel will explore the genre’s journey across the continent, highlighting key festivals, venues, and organizations that have supported its growth. Panelists will discuss the challenges European bluegrass musicians face, from touring logistics to finding authentic instruments and breaking into international markets.
The session will also focus on the vibrant bluegrass community in Europe, the role of jam sessions and workshops, and how digital platforms and younger generations are shaping the future of the genre. Attendees will gain insights into recording and promoting bluegrass music in a niche market, as well as strategies for expanding the audience. Whether you’re an artist, industry professional, or passionate fan, this discussion will offer valuable perspectives on sustaining and growing bluegrass in Europe.
Anders Ternesten
Banjo player, mentor, bandleader and event promoter for the Swedish American Bluegrass Alliance.
Anders is a banjo player since 1978, an initiator and founding member of the bands Dunderhead and Rookie Riot, and a dedicated bluegrass promoter. The band originated as a project to mentor young musicians in the bluegrass genre and has since evolved into a touring ensemble. Now in its third generation, Rookie Riot features members from two generations, including Anders’s daughter, Wilma, who serves as one of the lead singers.The group, influenced by traditional and contemporary bluegrass artists, performs at major Swedish festivals and aspires to tour the U.S. Anders recently founded SWEA—the Swedish American Bluegrass Alliance—a nonprofit organization aimed at fostering collaboration among Swedish bluegrass festivals and facilitating tours for U.S. bands in Sweden and Europe.
Chris Keenan
Event producer, talent buyer, tour manager and head of music programming at Your Roots Are Showing.
Chris Keenan is a prominent figure in the folk music community, widely recognized for her instrumental role as one of the organizers of “Your Roots Are Showing” conference. This annual event, held in Ireland, is fast becoming one of the premier folk + roots music gatherings for musicians worldwide, offering a comprehensive five-day program filled with live performances, workshops, and discussions. It provides a significant platform for folk music enthusiasts to connect, learn, and celebrate the genre, featuring a diverse lineup of international artists and industry professionals. Prior to her work with YRAS, Chris had an extensive career in the music industry, having worked at Sony Music Entertainment and Chrysalis Records. She also served as the managing director of the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival which, for more than a decade, brought bluegrass, folk and Irish traditional music together. Her involvement in bluegrass is further highlighted, with her role as the producer of IBMA’s Industry Achievement Awards Show, held annually at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass conference.
Thierry Schoysman
Banjo player, bandleader, mentor, teacher and long time European bluegrass veteran.
Thierry Schoysman began playing banjo in 1979. He was introduced to the banjo style of Bill Keith through a workshop three years later, leading to a lifelong friendship. Since 1991, Thierry has been part of Rawhide, one of Europe’s most respected and innovative bluegrass bands. In 2001, he formed The Sons of Navarone, a band in which he plays mandolin, winning awards like the La Roche band competition and EWOB’s Audience Popularity Award. In 2017, he and Signe Borch formed Table for Two, focusing on vocal harmonies and duets, and have performed across Europe. Thierry is well integrated in the bluegrass communities in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. More recently Thierry created KeithStyle.com in 2024 to share insights into Bill Keith’s banjo style, teaching the elements beyond the melodic style. Thierry is also available for worldwide workshops, offering deep knowledge to the Bill Keith banjo style.
Kurt de Bont
Booking agent, tourmanger, backline, event promoter and manager for Rootstown.
Rootstown Bookings is a European (Belgian) agency specialized in the booking, management, and support of concerts and tours across Europe. They focus on genres such as roots, blues, bluegrass, world, country, folk, jazz and rock & roll. The agency helps promote these genres. The agency is involved in organizing events like Aarschots Folk & Bluegrass festival, Jazz & Roots In Het Park, Buskerfestivals and the “Week van de Belgische ‘Rootstown’ muziek” (week of Belgian ‘Rootstown’ music), which features performances and showcases of local talent. Other areas of expertise are Concert and Tour Booking, Backline & Tour Van Rental, Artist Management and Event Promotion in Europe and UK (less since Brexit).
Rootstown officially exists since July 2015 but our main agent Kurt has a + 30 years of experience in booking and promoting tours and concerts and managing events and tours.
Discussing European Approaches to Bluegrass
on Saturday, March 1st, 2025, 11:30am
• Moderator : Kathleen Coker (IRL/USA)
• Panel : Kylie Kay Anderson (NL/USA); Lluís Gómez (ES); Caroline Penot (FR) and Ondra Kozak
Bluegrass is a genre with deep roots, but its branches extend far and wide, intertwining with musical traditions from around the world. This panel brings together artists who have uniquely blended bluegrass with the folk music of their home countries, creating fresh and innovative sounds.
Panelists will share their personal influences, discussing how their native folk traditions shape their approach to bluegrass. The conversation will explore which elements of these traditions integrate particularly well with bluegrass and why. Through shared experiences, we’ll examine how international collaborations work, as well as the insights gained from studying multiple bluegrass communities across Europe.
This discussion offers a deep dive into the creative process behind cross-cultural bluegrass, providing inspiration for musicians and fans alike. Attendees will gain a broader perspective on the evolving nature of bluegrass and its ability to connect diverse musical landscapes.
Kylie Kay Anderson grew up in Utah, USA, and was introduced to bluegrass music around age 13. She quickly became attached to the mandolin, which has been a big part of her life ever since. Kylie began her university education with 5 semesters in the Music Therapy program at Utah State University, and later transferred to East Tennessee State University to focus on the mandolin and bluegrass music. After graduating with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree and a minor in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies, she relocated to Ireland and spent 3 years engaging in music teaching and performing. In recent years Kylie has also performed at many European bluegrass festivals with groups like Long Way Home Duo and King Springs Road. In 2022, Kylie relocated to the Netherlands and recently completed a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen. As part of the Master’s studies, Kylie participated in an internship at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum and completed a thesis that explored the genre priorities, genre development, and musical hybridization in the bluegrass scene in Lisbon.
At an early age and largely encouraged by the musical atmosphere in his family, Lluís Gómez started teaching himself the acoustic guitar and the electric bass. He studied two years of flute and went on to study classical guitar at the age of 18 with Pere Payes at the Music School of Premià de Mar, and subsequently took up the electric guitar with Josep Traver. He also studied modern harmony with Ramón Montoliu at Badalona’s Municipal School of Music.
At the age of 30 he started learning fiddle, first self-teaching and then he studied with Raúl Munizaga.
The discovery of bluegrass through the Banjo Paris Session album was a watershed in his career. He was so taken by this style that he immediately picked up the five string banjo and took lessons from Sedo Garcia and Ricky Araiza in Barcelona. He then travelled to France, Ireland, the UK and the US to take lessons from Jean Marie Redon, Bill Keith, Tony Trischka, Pete Wernick, Noam Pikelny, Adam Larrabee, and Jayme Stone among others.
He has performed and recorded extensively since then with many artists and bands, always on the Folk scene but also in a wide range of styles, from Flamenco to Pop or Rock music, and he has recorded the music for several films and performed on the theater as a musician/actor.
Widely acknowledged as a performer both at home and abroad (he has recorded three CDs with his very own tracks), Lluís Gómez is one of the great connoisseurs of bluegrass music in Spain. He has written several methods to learn how to play the five string banjo, including a Spanish-Catalan bilingual book written in collaboration with Toni Giménez. He regularly writes for several specialized magazines and in March 2015 he was the front cover feature of the prestigious Banjo Newsletter magazine.
He also plays mandolin and violin and is the co-author with Oriol Saña of the book called “The Bluegrass Violin” written in English and Spanish. He is the author of “Fun Solos to Play”, “Early Classic Gems”, “An Earl American Christmas” and “Christmas in the British Isles”, all published by Mel Bay Publications.
He runs the Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival Al Ras as well as the Barcelona Bluegrass Camp, and also teaches abroad at the prestigious “International Stage Musique Acoustique Campus” in Belgium and other workshops all around the world.
Karoline & the Free Folks is an artist from Lyon who draws inspiration from traditional American music such as folk, country or bluegrass. She invites us on a journey to the heart of America, its wide open spaces and its traditional roots music with a cheerful and poetic register.
Ondra Kozák is one of the main figures of the Czech and European bluegrass music scene. He is a singer and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, violin, mandolin, bass, dobro), composer, studio engineer and a sought-after collaborator and teacher. He has been actively involved in music since 2000 and professionally since 2016.
He has recorded two solo albums (Ataman, 2014; Overtones, 2019) and contributed to more than 30 other studio albums. Ondra won the title “Guitarist of the Year” 5 times in the Czech Bluegrass Music Association poll. With various bands, he has won the prestigious competition for European Band of the Year at the French La Roche Bluegrass Festival 4 times and has collaborated with prominent figures of the world music scene, e.g. Mike Marshall, Bill Evans, Casey Driessen, John Reischman, Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley, Cia Cherryholmes, Mike Compton, Radim Zenkl, etc. Ondra organizes several music camps in the Czech Republic and often appears as a guest lecturer at camps in Europe and the USA. He is the author of several publications, a podcast and other materials, which he publishes on his own teaching platform “ATAmusic”.
Regional Associations for Global Bluegrass
on Sunday, March 2nd, 2025, 10:00 am (moved from 9:30 am)
• Moderator: Charlotte Saelemakers (BE)
• Panel: Signe Borch, Catherine Colleu, Paul Schiminger, Angelika Torrie, Paolo Dettwiler
The Role of European Bluegrass Associations in Shaping the Future of Bluegrass Music
This panel explores how national and regional Bluegrass associations contribute to the growth and sustainability of Bluegrass music in Europe. While Bluegrass is born in America, it has roots in European traditions and has flourished across Europe thanks to dedicated artists, fans, and organizations. However, today challenges such as funding, visibility, and generational engagement remain.
The primary role of regional associations is to support their local communities, but what impact can this grassroots activities have on the wider Bluegrass community? With evolving cultural policies and EU-backed creative networks, opportunities for collaboration and long-term sustainability are expanding. How can Bluegrass associations collaborate and position themselves within this broader European cultural framework? What (joint) strategies can ensure the music’s growth across borders and generations?
Our panelists will share insights on these key questions.
Signe Borch: Bluegrass Music Denmark
Signe Borch is an IT professional and dedicated musician who plays guitar and mandolin. Passionate about Bluegrass, she has become a key figure in Bluegrass Music Denmark. Leveraging her technical background, Signe enhances the genre’s outreach and community engagement. Her musical talents and organizational skills help create dynamic events and collaborations, ensuring the growth and sustainability of Bluegrass music in Denmark and beyond.
Catherine Colleu: Secretary of the French Bluegrass Music Association
Catherine Colleu is a dedicated advocate for Bluegrass music and a key figure in the French Bluegrass Music Association (FBMA). Passionate about fostering the growth of Bluegrass in France, she has played a vital role in organizing events, supporting musicians, and connecting the French Bluegrass community with the broader European and international scene.
With years of experience in cultural management, Catherine has worked to increase the visibility of Bluegrass in France through festivals, workshops, and educational initiatives. She actively promotes collaboration between artists and associations, ensuring that Bluegrass continues to thrive across generations.
Beyond her work with FBMA, she is deeply involved in European Bluegrass networks, advocating for greater recognition and opportunities for musicians. Through her leadership, she continues to strengthen the presence of Bluegrass music in France and beyond.
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Paul Schiminger: Past Executive Director, Current Board Member & Treasurer International Bluegrass Music Association
Mr. Schiminger is the past Executive Director of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), where he led its reorganization, significantly expanded funding, and helped grow IBMA World of Bluegrass to 200,000+ attendees annually. He also launched a grant initiative for non-U.S. artists and produced IBMA’s first virtual festival in 2020. He now serves on the IBMA’s Board of Directors as the association’s Treasurer. He is also a member of numerous committees, including the IBMA International Committee. With a background in finance, he previously held leadership roles at Wilmington Trust, Alex Brown Investment Management, and Deutsche Bank Alex Brown. A lifelong Bluegrass enthusiast and musician, he has advised Owensboro, KY, on its Bluegrass Music Capital of the World initiative and serves on multiple music-related boards, including IBMA and the FreshGrass Foundation. He holds degrees from James Madison University and Johns Hopkins University.
Angelika Torrie: Cofounder of the European and the Swiss Bluegrass Music Association
Angelika Torrie is a seasoned cultural manager and advocate for Bluegrass music. She co-founded the Swiss Bluegrass Music Association (SBMA) and the European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA), rejoining their boards in 2024. She also served on the IBMA Board, representing the international Bluegrass community.
As founder of A.R.T. Promotions & Services, she organized 44 European tours for U.S. Bluegrass artists (1998–2011), fostering connections between musicians and audiences. Beyond Bluegrass, she holds leadership roles in multiple nonprofits and works in financial and administrative management for a Swiss environmental foundation.
A multi-instrumentalist, Angelika plays violin, guitar, and double bass, teaches Bluegrass jamming, and is introducing The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass to her local choir. She continues to build bridges in the Bluegrass scene, creating opportunities for collaboration, education, and performance across Europe.
Paolo Dettwiler: director/manager North-Western Switzerland Bluegrass & SwissGrass Productions
Paolo Dettwiler has been immersed in Bluegrass from birth, growing up in a musical household in Basel, Switzerland. He joined his father’s band, The Country Pickers, at 17, later leading it until its dissolution in 2023. A key figure in European Bluegrass, he co-founded the Swiss Bluegrass Music Association in 1994 and initiated the European Bluegrass Network in 1995, which led to the formation of the European Bluegrass Music Association. He served as IBMA’s International Director (2001–2007) and was named a Kentucky Colonel in recognition of his contributions. As editor-in-chief of SBMA’s newsletter and later publisher of Bluegrass Europe magazine (1998–2011), Paolo has played a major role in promoting Bluegrass. He has organized concerts and festivals featuring artists like Alison Krauss, J.D. Crowe, and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. He currently leads North-Western Switzerland Bluegrass, books bands, and sponsors IBMA’s Neil Rosenberg Scholar Award 2025 through SwissGrass Productions. Paolo holds an MA in History and English from Basel University and specializes in digital learning as a teacher leader at a business college.
