Phil Zimmerman developed his instrumentalist chops as a solo performer at the University of Rochester, and has won regional contests for bluegrass and clawhammer banjo, guitar and mandolin. He’s a founding member of Connecticut’s ground-breaking eclectic string band, Last Fair Deal, now in its 46th year, and a former member of Traver Hollow, Heroes of Tradition (with Stacy Phillips) and Phil Rosenthal and Bluegrass Union. Since 2011 he’s been a core member of the hard-driving Bluegrass Characters. Phil was Music Director of Mandolin Camp North and Banjo Camp North from 2007 to 2018 and President from 2015 to May 2018. He has been on the faculty of Bluegrass University at Podunk, Jenny Brook, and Thomas Point Bluegrass Festivals, and has taught at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival every year since 2006.