The foundation portion of the organization, separate from the musical group, has established a scholarship program for banjo lessons and washtub bass (gutbucket) training.

Born in Edmonton, North London, he first went on stage at the age of 8, and took banjo lessons from the age of 10.

Jesse started banjo lessons in 2002, and went on to lead his family's band, "The Baker Boys."

Whitlock claimed to have met America's pre-eminent banjoist, Joel Sweeney, in 1838 and to have taken some banjo lessons from him.

Due largely to Tagawa's adaptation of the Suzuki method for teaching violin in giving banjo lessons, during a practice session the day before their performance, the group of twelve returning students synchronized their playing within the span of one song.

He listened to Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly and Pete Seeger, and as a teenager he took banjo lessons from Erik Darling of the Weavers.

"Now they're more likely to ask you for banjo lessons."

He was also influenced by Pete Seeger, Paul Cadwell, and also Tom Paley from whom he took a few banjo lessons.

His father wanted him to play cello, and Gene negotiated a series of banjo lessons in exchange.

According to Billy Whitlock of the Virginia Minstrels, Sweeney gave Whitlock a few banjo lessons around this time.