Scholarships

Our dulcimer family lost one of its most loyal supporters with the sudden passing of Lille Plumer in 2018.   We cannot begin to describe Lille's importance to the dulcimer community and specifically to our Dulcimer U family at WCU.  Her positive attitude and fun-loving spirit was something we looked forward to with every er event.  Her presence is sorely missed.

Honoring Lille Plumer, a scholarship has been established for a first-time student to Dulcimer U.  As Lille shared her love of music with others, we thought this would be a fitting tribute to her memory. “I loved Lille and want her legacy of welcoming new players to the dulcimer community to continue,” is a comment that has been echoed many times by members of the dulcimer community.

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We're proud to again offer adult and youth scholarships* (ages 9-17) through the Dulcimer U Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are funded each year from the raffle of a McSpadden Mountain Dulcimer generously donated by Jim & Betty Woods of The Dulcimer Shoppe in Mountain View, Arkansas. The adult scholarships will cover the cost of tuition only and the youth scholarships will cover ALL costs including tuition, housing and meals.

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The Lynn McSpadden Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by the Dulcimer U Scholarship Fund and is intended for any anyone who wishes to attend Dulcimer U, regardless of skill level or class choice.

Lynn McSpadden was quite possibly the most influential person in the dulcimer community for many years, having created McSpadden Mountain Dulcimers in 1962 and marketing them all across the country for four decades. Thousands of people have enjoyed his craftsmanship, a tradition that continues today through The Dulcimer Shoppe in Mountain View, Arkansas. Lynn spent his life cutting, sanding, fitting, finishing and polishing the wood. More importantly, he took the wood and gave it a voice - a voice that still resonates today in the beautiful dulcimers he crafted over the years.

This is a tuition only scholarship. The recipient will be responsible for his/her own housing and meals. You may apply for this scholarship using the criteria listed below.

In addition to the scholarships provided by the Dulcimer U Scholarship Fund, the following scholarships are being provided through the generosity of individuals or groups. Please note that these are tuition only scholarships. 

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The Doug Felt Memorial Scholarship. Doug Felt was a "fixture" at various dulcimer festivals across America for many years. He, along with his wife, Lee, operated Thistledew Acres, marketing hand-sewn dulcimer bags and folding music stands. In addition to his role as a vendor, Doug also taught dulcimer workshops and performed whenever he was given the opportunity. Upon Doug's passing in 2014, Dulcimer U created a scholarship fund in his memory. The scholarship is being funded through the generous contributions of Doug's many friends and family who wanted his memory to live on for many years to come. This is a tuition only scholarship. The recipient will be responsible for his/her own housing and meals. You may apply for this scholarship using the criteria listed below.

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The Dulcimer Crossing Youth Scholarship is sponsored by DulcimerCrossing.com. This on-line learning environment for dulcimer

students recognizes the value of face-to-face and in-person instruction. They are dedicated to raising up and equipping new generations of musicians who play dulcimer. Youths age 9-17 who wish to attend and hone their skills can apply for this tuition-only scholarship in the amount of $250.

The recipient will be responsible for the balance of the tuition cost and his/her own housing and meals. Please refer to the guidelines listed below when applying for this scholarship.

The Dulcimer Crossing Teacher Education Scholarship is sponsored by DulcimerCrossing.com. This on-line learning environment for dulcimer students recognizes the value of face-to-face and in-person instruction. They are dedicated to supporting and equipping new generations of teachers and recognize the value of the Teacher Certificate Program at Dulcimer U. Dulcimer Teachers who wish to attend the "Best Practices of Mountain Dulcimer Instruction" course for the purpose of deepening their understanding and hone their educational skills can apply for this tuition-only scholarship in the amount of $250. The recipient will be responsible for the balance of the tuition cost and his/her own housing and meals. Please use the guidelines listed below when applying for this scholarship.

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The J.C. Bradshaw Memorial Luthier Scholarship will be awarded to someone interested in learning to build a mountain dulcimer with instructor Ed Gaunt.
J.C. was a well-respected mountain dulcimer builder from eastern North Carolina who supported Dulcimer Week at WCU for many years. His craftsmanship can be seen in the classrooms at Dulcimer U being enjoyed by various participants who have come to love and appreciate his handmade dulcimers. The scholarship includes tuition and the materials fee associated with the class. The recipient will be responsible for his/her own housing and meals. You may apply for this scholarship using the criteria listed below.

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The Ron Cyr Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by Waterbound Dulcimers of Kinston, North Carolina.

Ron wanted people to experience the same joy that he did when attending a week long workshop such as Dulcimer U. In his memory, Waterbound Dulcimers is making this possible by sponsoring one tuition only scholarship for a youth or adult.

The recipient will be responsible for his/her own housing and meals. Applicants should read the guidelines below when applying for this scholarship.

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HOW TO APPLY

If you or someone you know deserves to be considered for one of these scholarships, here's what you need to do:

1. Write to: SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE, C/O WCU Continuing Education, 138 Camp Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 OR e-mail hensley@wcu.edu.

2. Tell us why the person should be considered (financial need, special circumstances, unique opportunity, etc.). We are especially looking for how the mountain dulcimer has impacted their life AND what the person hopes to do with the skills learned.

3. Multiple factors will be considered in determining the allocation of scholarships.

4. Notification of winners will be made by May 15. The deadline for receiving applications will be May 1.

5. Be sure to include the applicant's full name, address, phone, and email (include parent information if youth).

*Youth scholarship recipients must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must register as a participant or non-participant and pay for their portion of a double occupancy housing and meal plan.

If you have been awarded a Dulcimer U scholarship in the past, you may still apply this year. However, the fact that you have previously benefited from scholarship money will be taken into consideration when weighing your eligibility against those who have not received a scholarship before. The prospect of you receiving scholarship money will then be determined by the number of qualified applicants competing for consideration.