What is the Targhee Music Foundation?

Keeping Music Education SustainableA Brief History of the Foundation

The Targhee Music Foundation was created in 2015 for the purpose of supporting the Targhee Music Camp, a music education camp held annually every August at the Grand Targhee Ski Resort in Alta, Wyoming.

Ever since the first Grand Targhee Bluegrass Camp (now, Targhee Music Camp) was held in August of 2005, countless volunteer hours and incredible amounts of personal time and dedication have always been a big part of organizing and running the Music Camp successfully. The dedication and donation of time was commendable, but burnout was starting to take its toll on the organizers and volunteers.

Seeing that this level of unpaid volunteering may become an issue for the sustainability of the camp, two campers, Rick Johnson and David Susong, came up with the idea of creating a 501(c)(3) Non-profit to subsidize the camp and assist with general expenses.

In December of 2014, former camper and volunteer Rob Williams established a non-profit corporation in the state of Wyoming, and began to put together the necessary documents to apply to the IRS for tax-exempt status.  A board was established with Rick and David becoming the President and Vice-President (respectively) and former camper Diane Davis assuming duties of Treasurer/Secretary.  An initial board meeting was held and initial plans and budgets were reviewed and organized. In May of 2015, the paperwork was filed and in just six short weeks, the Targhee Music Foundation became an official 501(c)(3) organization just before the start of the 10th Annual Targhee Music Camp.


Targhee Music CampWhat students will learn at camp.



Targhee Music Camp Website

Students have the opportunity to learn quite a bit of musical history while attending Targhee Music Camp. A few elective class examples include:

  • Irish Music
  • Old Time Music
  • The Blues
  • The Language of Bluegrass
  • And many more...

Targhee Music Foundation OverviewCheck out the video.

Need more information about the Foundation or camp?

If you have any questions about the Targhee Music Foundation or the Targhee Music Camp, please don't hesitate to contact us at anytime.