Probably many of us here work at summer music camps where folks come to be inriched by folkie types. Often times players and singers need to just watch another human doing it and poof just like that something happens and they are off on the road to music and life. In my humble opinion any college that offers these types of classes should be praised and held up as a beacon to the rest. Surely these classes offer more than job opportunities. I would call them life opportunities. This music is about a life. What other way to get that info but from people who are living it. This music is no mere toy or tool with which one simply earns a living. If that is the goal I think standard music school would be a smarter investment. As far as changing traditions. Can't stop it. Can't effect it. Traditional forms are like clay vessels. The ones that are used alot get broken. But they are the carriers of the much needed elixer of life so they are always being recreated with inovations that make them stronger, and sometimes more beautiful to the touch.

Luke