The Will McLean Music Festival is proud to provide a premier educational and motivational opportunity for young people elementary through college ages.
Whether you are a young songwriter, play an instrument, sing, or simply have an interest in acoustic Folk, Americana, Gospel, International Folk, Old Time, or Bluegrass styles we have a place for you.
The Will McLean Foundation has partnered with several other Not-For-Profit young music educational organizations and we offer college scholarship opportunities.
Have a look around our website and contact us if you would like more information.
We would like to thank Friends of Florida Folk for their sponsorship.
Please follow the links under “Young Musician's Program” to learn more about our exceptional program and how you can become involved.
No experience necessary! (Seriously, no musical experience necessary!!)
Participating in the Youth Musician's Program allows youth of any experience level to become inspired or continue exploring their love of music.
Scroll down to read more and register by February 14, 2025!
Come join us!
For Developing Young Musicians
The Song Collaboration
A highlight of each year’s festival is the Young Musician's Song Collaboration. Youth participating in the Youth Program gather at the beginning of the festival and collaborate to create an original song all their own. Throughout the weekend, they develop and practice the song, and perform it on the Magnolia Stage at the conclusion of the festival. All youth are invited to join the collaboration.
Alivia Hunter
2023 Festival Participant - Alivia Hunter is a student at UF studying history. She writes and performs modern folk music inspired by old folk tunes, Greek mythology, and fantasy books. If you’d like to find her music on the Internet, she has an album called “Thoughts about Life” out on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify. WMF YouTube
Otemeal
Otemeal stands for Old Time Ensemble
2023 Festival Participants - Coming together as musicians of many different backgrounds, our group unites as friends wanting to play and perform old time music with one another. Music has been an important part of our lives - many of us are pursuing degrees involved with music - and we wish to impart the passions we have for music on others every time we play and perform. WMFYouTube
Holt & Cabe
2023 Festival Participants - Holt & Cabe is a brother duo from Southwest Florida that composes and performs original Americana music. Their unique, tongue-in-cheek story songs take audiences on an acoustic listening journey. Holt (on guitar) and Cabe (on mandolin)
They also learned to play other instruments including harmonica, ukulele, foot tambourine, fiddle, banjo, resonator guitar, accordion, saxophone, and more. WMF Youtube
Connor Jones
2023 Festival Participant - Connor is a regular performer at Will Fest, having attended since he was 10 years old, performing with his older brother Forrest in their duo band the Debbies, formerly known as NPR, and more recently with the Gentleman, accompanying his duo partner Talon Hackbarth of the family band BUS 86. Connor has been a percussionist since he was 7 years old, acquiring his first Cajon at Will Fest. Now, many years later, he has become a 3rd generation singer songwriter and guitar player. Performing songs he has written for a solo project with albums released under the name, Slow Child @ Play. WMF YouTube