Mountain Dulcimer Week Founder & Director, Electives, Concert.
This event reflects Lois’s ongoing enthusiasm as a mountain dulcimer “pilgrim.” For 30 years she has been a student and innovator of mountain dulcimer playing technique and repertoire. Learning music direct from traditional Irish, Cajun and world folk musicians, Lois has also introduced the dulcimer’s voice in new musical settings. Her recordings include an “Indie” Award finalist in the World Music category - “Vive le Dulcimer.” She learned to play Southern Appalachian style from traditional NC dulcimer players Frank Proffitt, Jr. and Stanley Hicks, and has won the prestigious dulcimer competitions at the Galax, Mount Airy, and Fiddlers Grove old-time music conventions. All this experience is shared in her performances and classes at music events across the country. In addition to Lois’s own recordings, her music was chosen for “Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer Volume I” and the new ”Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer” Christmas album, featuring some of the country’s favorite players. Lois has written eight books published by Mel Bay and is editor of their webzine, http://www.dulcimersessions.com/. http://www.loishornbostel.com/
LEO KRETZNER, Claremont, CA
Advanced Course Instructor, Electives, Concert.
Since 1975 Leo Kretzner has been a musical inspiration to many mountain dulcimer players, including David Schnaufer, Lois Hornbostel, Mike Casey and more. His virtuosity has continued to flourish over the years as he plays everything from Celtic jigs and reels to blues, rock, and more traditional Appalachian styles. He is also a talented songwriter. To listen to a sample of Leo’s playing visit http://www.dulcimerfling.com/ and click on “Behind the Haystack.” His playing of dulcimer blues and traditional music can also be heard on our “Dulcimer Celebrations” CD of outstanding concert performances from WCU Mountain Dulcimer Week. Leo’s teaching style is encouraging and fun, organized and packed with information. A connoisseur of many kinds of music, he is able to teach his students to play them with authenticity. In recent years Leo’s performances and teaching have been limited to the West Coast as his musical journey has been paralleled by his career as a research scientist. (Dr. Kretzner’s work at the City of Hope National Medical Center is in cancer research.) We’re excited to offer this great musician’s experience, creativity, insights, and teaching skills to our Advanced level participants in the mornings and to others in afternoon electives. Leo has a dulcimer book and recordings to his credit. His website is http://www.leokretzner.com/
LARRY CONGER, Paris, TN
Intermediate-into-Advanced Skills Course Instructor, Electives, Concert.
Larry was the 1998 National Mountain Dulcimer Champion and had won regional competitions before that. His uncomplicated but tasteful musical approach to the dulcimer has made him a popular instructor-performer at events throughout the dulcimer world. He is known for his melodic and well-engineered arrangements, and for his clear teaching style. At home in Paris, Tennessee Larry, along with his wife, Elaine, own and operate a private music studio, teaching piano, guitar, voice and drums as well as the mountain dulcimer. They are also middle school choir directors for a local church. Larry is active as a participating artist for both the Tennessee Arts Commission and Kentucky Arts Council, presenting dulcimer programs in the public schools. He is the author of eight books of his dulcimer arrangements and numerous recordings, including contributions to “Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer II,” “National Champions” and “Great Players of the Mountain Dulcimer” CD compilations. http://www.larryconger.com/
PETER TOMMERUP, Saratoga, CA
Intermediate Repertoire Course Instructor, Electives, Concert.
Peter has researched, taught and performed on dulcimer since 1973. He has done field collecting with traditional players in Appalachia, studied with creative California interpreters, and researched dulcimer traditions while completing a Ph.D. in folklore at UCLA. Along the way, he has arranged some 400 tunes, taught these to hundreds of students, and evolved a playing style that creatively extends the dulcimer's traditions. Peter has recorded two albums that creatively explore Appalachian, Celtic, and European music on the dulcimer, wrote a pioneering DAD tuning chord-melody style instruction book, and is currently working on a repertoire book of Celtic music for Mel Bay. He has taught and performed at many festivals. Since 2001, Peter has co-organized, taught and performed at Redwood Dulcimer Day, an event that celebrates “West Coast dulcimer traditions.”
LINDA BROCKINTON, Alexander, ARK
Intermediate Skills Course Instructor, Electives, Concert.
Linda started playing the dulcimer 18 years ago when her husband bought her one on their honeymoon. Being a flute major in college she took right to it. She won several competitions as well as the 2001 National Mountain Dulcimer Championship. Since then she has spent her time teaching dulcimer and flute at home and at festivals across the country. Linda primarily plays the chord/melody style and loves to fingerpick. The soft side of the dulcimer, such as Celtic music, hymns and classical, is her favorite kind of music. She has produced at least 8 CDs and 5 books along the way, but teaching music is what she loves. We love the passion she puts into her music. http://www.lindabrockinton.com/
PAUL ANDRY, Mandeville, LA
Novice Skills Course Instructor, Electives, Concert.
Paul is Louisiana's premier mountain dulcimer player and has done much for the dulcimer’s presence in his home state. His lyrical touch on the dulcimer enables him to interpret a diversity of styles of music: Mardi Gras, ragtime, classical, Celtic, pop and traditional American folk music. Paul will share this knowledge in his classes here. His introduction to the dulcimer was on vacation in Mountain View, AR. He later won and placed in several dulcimer contests there, culminating in the 1994 TX State Championship. Paul taught several fellow church members to play, which began the Bayou Dulcimer Club. He is credited as the creator of the highly successful Mardi Gras Dulcimer Festival in Covington, LA. An author of three dulcimer books, Paul teaches and performs at festivals throughout the south.
BILL TAYLOR, Pigeon Forge, TN
Beginner-into-Novice Skills Course Instructor, Electives, Concert.
Bill has been a valuable presence on the mountain dulcimer scene for over 15 years, when he first taught at this event when it was in Boone, NC. Before that for many years Bill performed at Dollywood and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry. A versatile and experienced musician, Bill’s music styles range from bluegrass and old-time to jazz, and are enriched by his expressive vocals. His teaching is inspired, organized and supportive. Bill is one of the most respected builders of quality mountain dulcimers, and his instruments can be found in the hands of many satisfied dulcimer players. During the school year, Bill teaches at Jones Cove School in Sevierville, TN, where the students have also enjoyed his after-school programs in dulcimer playing and building. http://www.billtaylordulcimers.com/
ANNE LOUGH, Clyde, NC
Beginner Course Instructor, Electives, Concert.
A native of Springfield, VA, Anne began playing and singing folk music as a teenager. She continued to share her music while raising four daughters and completing degrees in Music Education at Murray State University and Western Carolina University. Anne now devotes her time of festivals, workshops, performances, Elderhostel classes, and school residencies. Besides mountain dulcimer, she plays guitar, autoharp, and hammered dulcimer, and is known for her beautiful singing. Anne’s music ranges from traditional to classical and popular styles - all performed with artistic interpretation and musical sensitivity. She has several books and recordings to her credit. Anne has been on our staff many times, and her students always appreciate her well-planned classes, her teaching skills, patience and friendliness. http://www.annelough.info/
DON PEDI, Marshall, NC
Special Course on “Traditional Music for Dulcimer,” Electives, Concert.
Don’s a “Renaissance man.” A champion dulcimer player. A supportive teacher who is dedicated to researching with authenticity the traditional Southern dance tunes and songs he performs. He’s a T’ai Chi instructor. An old-time music deejay. A visual artist. Don and his wife, Jean, live in Madison County, NC, an area rich in traditional music and customs. His playing has received many awards, including Most Outstanding Performer at the ’89 Asheville Mountain Dance & Folklife Festival, and the places he has played include the ’03 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. He appeared playing his dulcimer in the Lion’s Gate motion picture “Songcatcher.” Don’s works include numerous CDs, instructional books and DVDs, available from his website, http://www.donpedi.com/
MARK GILSTON, Cedar Park, TX
Special Course on “Traditional Music for Dulcimer,” Electives, Concert.
A folk music performer for over 30 years, Mark has immersed himself in the music of many cultures. He is known for adapting to the mountain dulcimer with style and nuance music from Appalachia and other areas of North America, the British Isles, Scandinavia, Balkans, and beyond. From a family steeped in the 1950s folk music revival, Mark learned folk dancing and taught himself to play a goatskin bagpipe from Bulgaria. In the early ‘70s he got his first dulcimer. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Folklore he went to grad school at SUNY Binghamton (NY). In 2002 Mark moved to Austin, TX, and in ‘04 won the Oklahoma State Mountain Dulcimer Championship. He has performed and given workshops for colleges, folk music clubs, and festivals. Mark has many CDs of his music and has written several books of dulcimer arrangements. http://markgilston.com/
SUSAN BOYER HALEY, Clearwater, FL
Special Course on “Traditional Music for Dulcimer,” Electives, Concert.
Susan is a fourth generation American folk musician. Both sides of her family were musical and her love of traditional music began in childhood. She possesses a stunning singing voice, and a spirited, natural dulcimer playing style, and writes memorable songs. A native of Missouri, Susan has spent the past 25 years settled in the Deep South. She learned to play the mountain dulcimer from her father, learned to sing from her mother, and learned to play the psaltery from her uncle. Her repertoire of folk music draws on the traditional music of America, her Celtic roots, the Missouri music tradition, and Appalachia. Susan makes her home with her husband of thirty years, Bill Haley, in Florida. The Haleys have two sons who are also very musical. In addition to folk music performances, she sings in her local church choir and teaches mountain dulcimer and guitar students in Clearwater.
NORRIS BENNETT, Jamaica, NY
Special Course on “Traditional Music for Dulcimer,” Electives, Concert.
Norris has mastered four instruments: the banjo, mountain dulcimer, guitar and autoharp. He has played them in 14 different countries from Europe to the Far East. Born in Ocala, FL, and raised in Buffalo, NY, he was first inspired to play dulcimer in the 1960s after hearing Jean Ritchie at CA folk festivals. Norris is a member and lead vocalist of the “Ebony Hillbillies,” a well-known old-time black string band that plays rocking, rollicking dance music of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. They have been featured at Carnegie Hall and often play at New York City’s Grand Central Station and Times Square. Norris has worked as a schoolteacher and has a powerful dulcimer and vocal style that adds a special African-American perspective to traditional music played on the mountain dulcimer. Norris has two CDs. http://eh.singersauce.com/
KENNETH BLOOM, Pilot Mountain, NC
Special Course on “Bowing the Dulcimer” Electives, and Concert.
Ken has given solo concerts all over North America since 1974, featuring traditional American music as well as Celtic and Eastern European styles. Among countless credits, he has been featured as a concert zither soloist with the Charlotte, NC Symphony. This versatile and spirited musician has enriched our event in many ways since we first brought him in as a “zither player” about 15 years ago. We soon found out he was a lot more than a zither player, having mastered many stringed and woodwind instruments like guitar, clarinet, Northumbrian smallpipes, and minstrel banjo, to name just a few. His teaching blended all his musical experience with his love of history – and a lively dose of humor! Then he dazzled us with his skills as a luthier. Along the way since he first came to us, Ken developed a style of mountain dulcimer especially intended for bowing – along with new techniques for playing it. (Read more about it at the back of this catalog.) He has three CDs, two of them featuring the bowed dulcimer. http:// http://www.boweddulcimer.com/
JOHN HURON, Bristol, TN
Instructor of “Building a Traditional Mountain Dulcimer” Course.
John builds and plays a variety of historical instruments. His mountain dulcimers, fretless banjos, mouth bows and “bones” are copies of instruments that have been played throughout the Southern Appalachian mountains for over a century. His gourd “banjars” (replicas of 1800s slave instruments) are currently in use at Colonial Williamsburg, Old Salem, and Rocky Mount Living History Museum, and he has invented a couple of folk instruments to boot! A knowledgeable and humorous musical performer, John is especially fond of presenting the folk music from the 18th and 19th Centuries originally played on the type of instruments he builds. In addition to teaching many courses in traditional dulcimer building, John has worked closely over the years with legendary builder Bob Mize, and is a contributor to the Foxfire 12 book. http://www.noteworthyjohn.com/
John’s teaching assistant in the building course will be HOMER PHILLIPS of Mesquite, TX.
MICHAEL FOX, Hickory, NC
Electives, Concert, and Jam Leader
We welcome Michael Fox to our staff! Well-known in North Carolina old-time music circles, we first knew him as a fiddler and banjo player. But he is here in his exciting identity of peerless developer and premier player of the “DULCIJO” - a wonderful member of the mountain dulcimer hybrid family. This might have been predicted because Michael’s first exposure to traditional music was in 1969 when his sister gave him a dulcimer kit. In high school he formed his first old-time string band with dulcimer, banjo, washtub bass, scrub board, and guitars. Later he played clawhammer banjo with such bands as the “Grayson Highlands String Band” and Harper Van Hoy’s “Fiddlers Grove String Band.” He now plays with “Possum Hollar String Band,” which he formed about 15 years ago. About 20 years ago after seeing a “strumstick” Michael came up with the idea of a diatonic 3-string banjo. After years of working on the design with his friend Richard Shook, they began to construct DULCIJOs to customers all over the world on their website http://www.dulcijo.com/. Michael has won clawhammer banjo competitions at many fiddle conventions playing the DULCIJO! For about 30 years he has taught people to play fiddle, banjo and DULCIJO.
RON EWING, Columbus, OH
Tutor for Advanced Skills and Intermediate Repertoire Courses, Concert, Electives.
Ron Ewing has been playing and building mountain dulcimers for over 30 years. His interest in the dulcimer began through the contemporary playing of Richard and Mimi Farina. However, Ron’s musicianship has a unique spirit and drive when he plays traditional Celtic music. As Leo Kretzner says, “When Ron plays Irish music you can almost smell the ‘praties’ boiling!” Ron’s dulcimers are some of the best-sounding and playable one can find, and many professional performers use them. Two of his dulcimer inventions include the dulcimer capo design and the “Dulcimette” (octave dulcimer). Some of Ron Ewing’s instruments and hardwood capos will be for sale in our Dulcimer Marketplace. http://www.ronewingdulcimers.com/
ELAINE CONGER, Paris, TN
Tutor for Intermediate-into-Advanced and Intermediate Skills Courses, Electives, Concert.
Elaine Conger is a degreed music educator who has a passion for sharing her love for the arts. Her years as a professional musician include playing keyboards and singing back-up vocals for country artist Faith Hill. Not only is she a former classroom teacher, she has musically directed, accompanied, and performed in numerous musical theater productions. Elaine and husband Larry operate a private studio offering Kindermusik classes as well as private and group instruction. In her spare time she serves as organist at an Episcopal Church and aids Larry in creating accompaniment tracks for his numerous dulcimer projects.
PAUL HENDERSON, Fort Collins, CO
Tutor for Novice and Beginner-into-Novice Courses, Concert.
Paul is one of the outstanding young mountain dulcimer players. He began playing as a student of Steve Eulberg, and was one of our most impressive Youth Scholars. Paul plays many styles of music from traditional Appalachian to Dire Straits. Always happy to help out another dulcimer player, we are happy to have him as one of our tutors this year.
JOEL PAUL, Alpharetta, GA
Beginner Course Tutor, Concert.
Joel has a passion for all things musical. His interest in music knows no cultural or geographical boundaries. Anything that can cause the air to vibrate around him will tweak his musical interest (except for mosquitoes). Joel is equally comfortable listening to a single-string drone instrument played continuously for hours as he is listening to the intricate aural landscape of a Mahler symphony. Pat and Len Corley introduced him to the mountain dulcimer around 1995, and since then Joel has created an extensive collection of original tunes. His love of the mountain dulcimer is infectious, as he will eagerly take any opportunity to play for anybody willing to listen, young or old, or anyone in between.
BETTY SMITH, Hot Springs, NC
Electives, Concert Performer.
Betty is acknowledged as one of our country’s folk music treasures. Her musical talents, song collecting, and her performances of Southern music and culture, have been recognized with many honors, including: the Brown-Hudson Award of the NC Folklore Society, the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Award, and UNC’s Alumni Distinguished Service Award. A great traditional singer whose instrumental skills include mountain dulcimer, guitar, autoharp and psaltery, Betty’s music has been included in many prestigious recordings including the Smithsonian American Sampler series. She authored the book Jane Hicks Gentry: A Singer Among Singers, a portrait of one of NC’s most intriguing ballad singers, and was awarded the Willie Parker Peace History Book Award from the NC Society of Historians. Betty is also playwright and actor who wrote and performs “A Mountain Riddle,” her one-act monodrama celebrating Southern Appalachian music and culture. This achievement won her the Paul Green Multi-Media Award from the NC Historical Society. Here at WCU we are certainly bless’t to have Betty Smith on our staff. http://www.bettysmithballads.com/bettysmithballads
TERRY LEWIS, Ewing, VA
Electives, Concert.
Terry began playing stringed instruments in grade school. He played guitar in rock’n’roll bands as a teenager and upright bass in bluegrass bands as an adult. He also plays banjo, violin, dobro, as well as the dulcimer. He gives private lessons, group lessons, has conducted mountain dulcimer workshops around the country and has authored 5 dulcimer books. He enjoys working with children and often gives concerts in the local schools. Terry volunteers in the Cumberland Gap National Park giving concerts and entertaining in the visitor’s center. He is now working to build new interest in mountain dulcimer in the Cumberland Gap area. http://www.terrylewisdulcimer.com/
GEORGE HAGGERTY, Jacksonville, VT
Electives, Concert and Jam Sessions
George’s accomplishments as a dulcimer builder, teacher, player and recording artist are matched by his contagious enthusiasm for the instrument. He is a storyteller, educator and humorist who shares his historical knowledge in 18th and 19th Century presentations that feature the dulcimer. George and his wife, Mary, own and operate a music shop, Folk Craft Music, and are the sponsors of an annual festival in Vermont, August Dulcimer Daze, now in its 17 year.
MIKE ANDERSON, Jacksonville, IL
Coordinator of Dulcimer Marketplace and Volunteers,
Electives, Concert MC & Performer.
Mike is nationally known for his talents on the mountain dulcimer, and as a storyteller, educator, and author. His children’s shows are legendary, and his TV show, “Mike’s Music Works,” received a National Children’s Television Award. A recording artist of both music and story, Mike has received two Parents’ Choice awards, the latest for “Anna’s Old Boot” – a collection of stories and songs on the dulcimer. One of the songs on this recording was received “Best Children’s Song of 2003” from the Children’s Music Web. Under Mike’s leadership, both the New Salem Storytelling Festival and the Clayville Music & Storytelling Festival before that grew to national renown. In addition to mountain dulcimer, Mike plays guitar, banjo, jaw harp, nose flute, and bones. http://www.dulcimerguy.com/
FLORA MacDONALD GAMMON, Waynesville, NC
Open Stage Host.
Flora is a woman of many talents. A well-known vocalist in Scottish traditional music and a historian of Celtic culture on both sides of the Atlantic, Flora is descended from the early Scottish settlers of the North Carolina mountains, and her music is an ideal pairing of Appalachian and Scottish cultures. She has made two recordings and is a popular artist-in-education in the Southeast. She was the first to introduce the mountain dulcimer to the Grandfather Highland Games and is now its Director of Music. Flora has filled several roles at our event, and this year will be hosting our Participants’ Open Stage. http://www.floramacdonald.net/
JOE SHELTON, Greensboro, NC
"Dulcimer Doctor,” Dulcimer Supply Booth, and Elective.
One of the best dulcimer repair people in the business, for many years Joe has rescued and fine-tuned thousands of dulcimers. He is also a talented musician who performs on fiddle and mountain and hammered dulcimers. Joe and his wife, Marie, have their own string band, “Toneflyer.”
WILL PEEBLES, Director, WCU School of Music, Cullowhee, NC
Electives and Shape-Note Sing.
Dr. Will Peebles teaches double reed instruments (bassoon and oboe) and courses in music history and theory at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He maintains an active performing career with appearances in faculty recitals on campus and with several symphony orchestras. Will is also the director of the WCU Low Tech ensemble, which performs on Javanese, Sudanese, and Balinese gamelan. Since 2000 Will has invited our participants over to the Music Department, where he has taught them to play these exotic percussion instruments, directing them as a novice gamelan orchestra! http://music.wcu.edu/faculty/biopeebl.htm
DOC and JEAN RUSSELL, Wireknot Productions, Charlotte, NC
Concert Sound Engineers.
With over 25 years of experience, this husband-and-wife team has provided excellent sound for our concerts for several years. They work at many music festivals and have a recording studio that specializes in acoustic music.
STEVE ENDSLEY, Canton, IL
Concerts Stage Manager.
Steve, his wife, Ruth Ann, and his crew are the power behind the scenes at our concerts and open stage. Steve is also a dulcimer builder and player and is known for the high-quality dulcimers and dulcimer stands he makes.
JIMMY & JOYCE CARY, Cantrall, IL
Assistant Stage Managers.
This talented and versatile couple will be working with Steve Endsley in our concert productions.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
We have been blessed with some great staff whose management skills make the week work well. Many thanks to WCU’s Bobby Hensley, Joni Kenyon, and the rest of the Continuing Ed staff, who work with Lois throughout the year on Dulcimer Week.
Our Week’s staff will include Marie Shelton of Greensboro, NC. A spirited old-time dulcimer player, Marie will perform in Wednesday night’s concert, along with her husband, Joe Shelton. Marie also took many of the photos in this catalog. Laura Phillips, who also plays dulcimer, is also a great quilter, whose quilts you will see at our concerts.