About BKCM’s Bluegrass Lab
Mondays, 7:00-8:30 PM
In this dynamic class for adults, vocalists, string, guitar and mandolin players are invited to experience the historic American music of bluegrass. Taught by expert bluegrass musicians Ken Shoji and Christian Apuzzo in a fun jam-style approach, students experience the joys of leading, improvising and accompanying traditional folk songs and old-time music. Students participate in regular bluegrass jams at BKCM, local bluegrass music festivals including Flatfoot Flatbush and Porch Stomp and a semester-capping jam-style performance at BKCM.
Who Can Join Bluegrass Lab?
All are welcome to join the Bluegrass Lab, even if you have never played bluegrass before! However, you do need to have some basic knowledge of your instrument so that you can have good success in the class. A packet to help instrumentalists prepare for the class will be available soon – if you have any questions in the meantime, please contact cmsadmin@bkcm.org.
String Instruments
(Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass)
String players who join the Bluegrass Lab should be familiar with the D and A major scales. Feel free to use the PDF below to practice!
Guitar Instruments
(Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo)
Guitar, mandolin and banjo players should be able to play an I-IV-V progression in at least two keys and move comfortably between the following chords in open position: G, D, A, E, C and F. Feel free to use the guide below to get ready!
How to Register
To register for the Bluegrass Lab, please complete the following three steps:
- If you are new to BKCM, click here to create a Registration account.
- Click here to fill out the Student & Family Survey.
- Call 718-622-3300 to register.
Financial aid is available for qualifying students. To apply please contact kris.mandapat@bkcm.org and fill out the financial aid application.
If you have questions, please call 718-622-3300 to speak to one of our registrars who will guide you through every step of the registration process. For complete information on our registration process and policies, please click here.
Bluegrass Events & Jams
September 8, 2025
First Day of Bluegrass Lab!
@ BKCM
September 21, 2025
Bluegrass Jam
Led by Christian Apuzzo
October 19, 2025
Bluegrass Jam
Led by Christian Apuzzo
Bluegrass Faculty
Ken Shoji
Kensuke Shoji is a jazz violinist and member of Deadgrass. Born in Gifu, Japan, he began playing violin at age 7 with the Suzuki Method. Kensuke joined his father’s Bluegrass band when he was a teenager and moved to the U.S to study with Matt Glaser (the chair of Berklee String Department ) and world renowned jazz violinist Christian Howes. You can find Kensuke playing with top bluegrass musicians throughout NYC and worldwide.
Christian Apuzzo
Christian Apuzzo is a Brooklyn-based vocalist, guitarist, and music educator originally from Long Island. After beginning his career as a certified public school music teacher, Christian ventured into the dynamic world of freelance music in NYC. Specializing in folk, bluegrass, and country, he performs with several groups across the five boroughs, including ’23 Podunk Band Competition winners Cole Quest and the City Pickers, The Grass Messengers, and Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective. In addition to his performances, Christian is passionate about teaching and offers music lessons and classes for all ages both privately and at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook, Brooklyn.