American Roots
Songs & Arranging with Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
Learn to Play, Sing, Write, and Arrange American Roots Music. Any Instrument, Any Level, All Are Welcome.
A Complete Roots Music Toolkit for Every Instrument and Every Voice
Pull up a chair and join the party! Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer are two-time Grammy winners and beloved figures in the American roots tradition, and they've opened their doors to players and singers of every stripe. Whether you're picking banjo, strumming guitar, or just showing up with your voice, this school is built for you. You'll learn the songs, the stories, and the arranging skills that make roots music come alive, together.
Video Lessons
Video Exchange
Community
Your Breakthrough
Experience the Power of Video Exchange Learning
Get personalized video feedback
- Record and upload directly through our intuitive platform.
- Receive personal video responses with tips to improve!
- Browse exchanges from students to learn from their questions.
“Cathy and Marcy are at home in a dozen musical styles. They swing you, jazz you, and old timey you till you just give up and bliss out.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Tom Paxton, Kennedy Center profile
Watch and learn
- Unlimited access to video lessons and video exchange library
- Ability to submit videos for direct feedback from the artist
- A music theory workshop and a treasure trove of backing tracks
“Both Cathy and Marcy have been tremendously encouraging to me as mentors.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Sam Gleaves, singer-songwriter
About Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
- Two-time Grammy winners and icons of American roots music with over four decades of performing, recording, and teaching.
- Masters of multiple traditions including old-time, bluegrass, folk, and country, with a passion for making roots music accessible to all.
- Acclaimed musicians with 60+ albums produced and collaborations with Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, and Theodore Bikel.
“Spellbinding acoustic musicians with a rare mastery of American roots styles.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Boston Globe
Start Your Free Trial Now
Enjoy 7 days of access to this school for free.
- Access full video lesson library
- Full-access to all learning tools
- View video exchange library
- Satisfaction guaranteed
Get Started Today
Quick Answers to Your Questions
How does the Video Exchange® system work?
You can record yourself playing a lesson and submit it for Cathy & Marcy to review. They’ll send back a personalized video response with tips and guidance. These exchanges are added to the library, so you’ll also benefit from seeing how they coach other students.
Do I have to be an experienced musician to join?
Not at all! Lessons are organized for all levels—from complete beginners who've never arranged a song to advanced musicians looking to refine their craft and explore new genres. You'll learn lyric writing, melody composition, song structure, arrangement, and how to write on multiple instruments. You'll progress at your own pace and can revisit lessons anytime.
Can I learn at my own pace?
Yes! All lessons are available on-demand, so you can move as quickly or as slowly as you like. There are no deadlines or required class times.
What devices can I use?
You can access the school on any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Lessons stream in high definition, and you can use features like looping and slow motion across all devices.