Zoukology

Name: Zoukology
Address: Albuquerque, NM, US
Telephone: (617) 651-0892

Zoukology is an annual gathering for players of mandolin family instruments in Albuquerque, NM.

02/04/2026

It was another banner Zoukology for us, even bigger and better than last year!

We love how our bouzouki/mandolin/cittern crew has grown, both with the addition of the masterful Frances Cunningham (.bouzoukipower) and with the wonderful new attendees who joined us this year. If anyone was on the fence about bouzouki, we're sure that Frances won them over with her stunning ability to weave a harmonic story behind Celtic tunes and her ever infectious enthusiasm! What a joy to have her teach and perform this year.

This year we were also lucky enough to have a visit from one of our favorite luthiers, Herb Taylor, all the way from CO with a pack of freshly built mandolins and zouks ready for the playing.

And special thanks to mandolinist Marla Fibish () for being our melodic support during workshops and being our surprise guest in the concert!

We've already got next year's Zoukology on the calendar for here in Albuquerque in 2027. Mark yours for Jan 28-31!

01/27/2026

Zoukology starts in two days! While student spots are filled, this is your reminder that the staff concert on Friday night is open to the public and all in the Albuquerque area are welcome. Email [email protected] for directions.

We'll also be live streaming it on YouTube channel, so be sure to follow Ken and tune in Friday, January 30: https://www.youtube.com/live/xBAiH9n01x0

01/19/2026

Ken got his mando family portrait done! Who is ready to add theirs to the lineup? We are so excited that Zoukology 2026 is less than two weeks away!

Student spots are sold out but anyone is welcome to join us for the staff concert on Friday, January 30th. Email [email protected] for directions.

01/13/2026

Every morning at Zoukology, Anne Luna leads the group in some gentle yoga so we're limbered up and ready to exercise those fine musician motor skills! She gives us some great stretches and routines that you can incorporate into your daily practice or use any time you need a break.

Zoukology is just around the bend, Jan 29-Feb 1! Reach out to Ken to see if there are any more available slots, or you can join us for just the staff concert on Friday night. Email Ken for more info at [email protected].

https://www.mandology.net/zoukology

Zoukology is less than a month away! Spots are limited for our Jan 29-Feb 1 weekend in Albuquerque, NM. Email ken@mandol...

01/06/2026

Zoukology is less than a month away! Spots are limited for our Jan 29-Feb 1 weekend in Albuquerque, NM. Email [email protected] to snag yours.

The great thing about getting together with a bunch of fellow mando-philes is you get to swap instruments and try out the myriad double-course options! We like to call this our instrument petting zoo. Many different luthiers and building styles are represented in our shared collections. If you've ever wanted to try out a five-course cittern, mandola, fan-fret instrument, mandocello, or just some mandolins or bouzoukis that are very different from your own, this is a great chance to do so!

Learn more at https://www.mandology.net/zoukology

12/30/2025

At our Zoukology weekends, it's not just about sittin' and pickin'! We like to organize at least a couple off campus field trips to break the days up.

No weekend is complete without a visit to the Pimentels' workshop, where Rick shows off the instrument building process and gives us a peek at some of the guitars and mandolins currently on the bench.

Nearby, the stunning Los Poblanos lavender farm, restaurant and shop offers some of the best meals and goodies around, while Casa Rondeña has wines a plenty for the practicing sommeliers.

And any intrepid herpetophiles are welcome to join Lindsay on her annual visit to the Rattlesnake Museum in Old Town, where there are many charming shops and cafes to visit, as well.

Zoukology is coming up quickly! Join us Jan 29-Feb 1 for a weekend of mando-family music-making and New Mexico delights. Email Ken at [email protected] to secure your spot. Learn more: https://www.mandology.net/zoukology

12/23/2025

BouZOUKi might be in the Zoukology name, but we welcome all the CBOM extended family instruments!

Much of the teaching is around the bouzouki, octave mandolin, and mandolin, but if you're looking for an excuse to practice and get some ideas for your five-course cittern, mandola, mandocello, or even your bass mandolin, bring it along! A lot of class material is adaptable, or one of our instructors can offer some private lesson time to focus on your unique instrument needs.

We're filling up fast! To secure your spot for our Jan 29-Feb 1, 2026 weekend, email Ken at [email protected] and visit mandology.net/zoukology for more info.

12/17/2025

One of the things baked into every Zoukology weekend is time spent building repertoire, whether that be American fiddle tunes, Irish jigs and reels, jazz or blues tunes, or songs that sit well on bouzouki and the other CBOM instruments. We also like to make sure you have plenty of time to break down into small groups to try your own ensemble arrangements, in addition to jamming with the whole group!

All of our instructors will bring some of their current favorites, and this year we'll be sending out a tune or two for attendees to learn in advance so we can all play it together. A few spots are still open for our Jan 29-Feb1, 2026 weekend...reach out to Ken at [email protected] to snag a spot!

Learn more at https://www.mandology.net/zoukology.

12/02/2025

In addition to our daytime classes and workshops at Zoukology, we like to leave some open time so that students can get a one-on-one lesson with our teachers if they'd like.

You can grill Louis or Lindsay about developing your Celtic song accompaniment, or get some tutelage in sight reading classical mandolin with Ken. Steve is always ready to guide folks in improvisation, or you can talk songwriting or singing with Anne. And of course this year, you can get some accompaniment or tune playing inspiration from our special guest Frances Cunningham!

Be sure to let us know if you're interested in a private lesson when you book your spot with Ken at [email protected]. Learn more at https://www.mandology.net/zoukology.

11/25/2025

One of the best parts of any camp are the opportunities you get to just hang out and jam together! Every night following classes or the concert at Zoukology, we have an open jam where everyone is encouraged to lead a song or tune in the round. It's a safe space for folks at all levels to try improvising a solo, testing out a new-to-you song, or singing some harmonies!

Learn more about our schedule and offerings: https://www.mandology.net/schedule

11/18/2025

You've met our 2026 special guest - now get to know the usual Zoukology crew!

First up, we have our leader, host, and the catalyst for many a mandolin journey, Ken Gilman. Not satisfied with just mandolin or bouzouki, the NM native is also known to play bass mandolin, five-course cittern, mandocello and more, depending on the needs of the group or tune!

Louis Scuderi specializes in GDAD bouzouki, mandolin and mandocello, bringing a driving, tasteful accompaniment style to Irish sessions, ballads and songs, and his work with Ken in their group Mandology, where they branch out from Celtic and folk into the worlds of Balkan, Middle Eastern, and classical music.

Living the dream as a full-time musician in NM, Anne Luna is best known for her work as a bassist and singer with groups like The Hard Road Trio and Hondo Coyote. She has found the bouzouki to be a great muse for her songwriting, as well as expanding her musical growth and expression.

Based in Las Cruces, NM, Steve Smith is one of the country’s top mandolinists, known for his work with Tim May, The Hard Road Trio, and more. A seasoned touring musician, he is also an outstanding educator, teaching at famed camps like Colorado Roots and his own DNA Music camps.

MA-based Lindsay Straw specializes in GDAD bouzouki and guitar. The Berklee grad honed her accompaniment chops in the vibrant Boston Irish session scene, and these days she also spends a lot of time playing old-time and Americana, blending influences from both sides of the Atlantic.

For even more info on each Zoukology teacher, check out past posts or visit https://www.mandology.net/faculty

11/04/2025

Three months away! Join us for Zoukology 2026 from January 29 to February 1 in Albuquerque, NM.

Zoukology is an informal and fun celebration of mandolin family instruments like the Irish bouzouki, octave mandolin, mandola, cittern and more, for just $250 (classes + daytime meals)! Whether you’ve been playing awhile or are newly mandolin-curious, we welcome you to join us for a laid-back weekend of music-making and learning!

Stay tuned for a spotlight on our first ever special guest coming next week!

For more information, visit: https://www.mandology.net/zoukology
Reach out to Ken at [email protected] to RSVP.

Address

Albuquerque, NM

Telephone

(617) 651-0892

Website

https://www.mandology.net/zoukology/

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