Inside Belmont's Bluegrass Ensemble

From back-porch jams to the Grand Ole Opry, these student musicians are living their dreams

In the world of bluegrass music, connection is everything. Born from informal gatherings and family-led jam sessions, the genre thrives on the intimate relationship between performers and audience — a dynamic that Belmont's Bluegrass Ensemble brings to the Fisher Center stage for this year's “Christmas at Belmont: Live from Nashville.” 

"Bluegrass concerts really feel like being in a living room,” said Kate Ward, the ensemble's violinist. “As performers, you’re able to connect with each other and with the audience in a way that doesn’t always happen in other groups.”  

Ward's own journey with the ensemble spans several years, beginning with guest performances as an undergraduate commercial violin student. Now a graduate student, Ward is a core member of the group.  

Combining Real-World Experience with Education 

The ensemble is directed by Ryan Joseph — who splits his time between his role as the University’s coordinator of strings and performing with country music star Alan Jackson and at the Grand Ole Opry — and exemplifies Belmont's commitment to providing students real-world experience alongside their education. 

"It’s important that faculty members stay active in the field, but we are always student-invested first," Joseph explained. "If an opportunity arises for me professionally that would take away from a student’s experience here, I say no." 

This dedication has opened exceptional doors for the ensemble, who last year performed at both the Grand Ole Opry and events surrounding the Grammys in Los Angeles. 

When the ensemble performed at the Grand Ole Opry last year, the emotion was overwhelming.  

"The second the curtain came up, there were instant tears from overwhelming gratitude," Ward recalled. "It was a celebration of how far we had come in four years. It felt like we had accomplished the biggest dream we ever had." 

The impact of that night was not lost on their director either. Joseph remembers the energy in the dressing room after their performance feeling "like winning the Super Bowl." 

Learning Through Collaboration 

The ensemble's approach to learning mirrors the professional world they're preparing to enter. Rather than relying on traditional sheet music, students learn through listening and using number charts — a system commonly used by professional musicians at venues like the Opry. 

"Ryan runs all of his ensembles in a way that preps us as much for being in the pro world as possible," said Ward. "It's a really cool process for us to figure out what we want each song to sound like."  

This student-led approach is intentional. Rather than dictating every musical decision, Joseph focuses on teaching his students how to collaborate effectively. 

"I teach students how to listen. That's literally it," Joseph says. "They're listening to each other, reacting to each other, working as a team — not against each other — in order to have the best, highest-level musical experience." 

A Family on and off the Stage 

This collaborative spirit extends beyond the music itself. The ensemble has become a family of sorts, supporting each other through performances in venues ranging from the intimate Station Inn to the grand Fisher Center stage. 

"Bluegrass in general, it’s often families playing together,” said Joseph. “And if you’re not family before you’re playing with a group like that, you probably become like family along the way.  

The group consists of bass, mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar, fiddle and vocalists, with each member getting their moment to shine during performances. For their “Christmas at Belmont" appearance, they will perform "Santa Train" by Patty Loveless, arranged collaboratively by the ensemble to showcase each musician's talents. 

"Everyone in this performance will have a support role. Everyone will have a spotlight moment in the tune," Joseph explained. "That's vocalists, instrumentalists — everybody has their moment to shine, and then they also all have their moment to support their friends that they're playing with." 

Coming Full Circle 

For Joseph, who first discovered Belmont over 20 years ago while watching "Christmas at Belmont" on PBS, seeing his students perform in this beloved holiday tradition brings his journey full circle.  

"The most impactful moments in my life have come through authentic experiences with people who cared about me," Joseph said. "To now get to provide those experiences for students through things like ‘Christmas at Belmont’ — that does more for my soul than anything else in my life." 

Don't miss the Bluegrass Ensemble and over 600 other student performers in “Christmas at Belmont: Live from Nashville,” streaming Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. EST on Prime Video and Amazon Music's Twitch channel.