Instructors, Performers, and Other Staff

	KENNETH BLOOM, Pilot Mountain, NC. Bowing the Dulcimer course and Special Classes instructor, Dulcimer Orchestra leader, Concert. Since 1974 Ken has given solo concerts all over North America, including appearances at many major folk festivals and clubs in the U.S. and Canada. He has performed on A Prairie Home Companion and at highland games, storytelling festivals and turkey festivals. These programs include the traditional music of this country as well as Celtic and Eastern European selections. He usually uses European concert zither, Northumbrian smallpipes, guitar, clarinet, bowed dulcimer and minstrel banjo, but he will often include other instruments and traditions as well. For over 22 years Ken has built a wide range of instruments for people, most prominently his “bowed dulcimers,” which have popularized an old tradition in mountain dulcimer playing. When he’s not doing is amazing playing and teaching in the realm of dulcimer, Ken participates in 18th century Living History events, providing period music on period instruments, as well as acting as Sergeant for the Royal Highland Emigrants, 84th Foote. He has three outstanding CD recordings, and builds instruments on order. (http://www.boweddulcimer.com)
	LINDA BROCKINTON, Alexander, ARK. Progressing Intermediate course and Special Classes instructor, Concert. Linda started playing flute at age eleven and has played flute and piccolo with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. As a music major in college, she won First Chair in several regional orchestras. Linda began playing mountain dulcimer in 1988 and won the National Championship in 2001. She has taught dulcimer lessons since 1990 and has given workshops at major dulcimer events across the country. Linda has several CD recordings and books featuring Celtic music, hymns and classical – the beautiful “soft side” of the mountain dulcimer. Her playing style is full of expression and she is one of our favorite teachers. (http://www.lindabrockinton.com)
	BILL TAYLOR, Pigeon Forge, TN. Advanced Skills & Music course co-instructor, Intermediate-into-Advanced Skills & Music course co-instructor, Special Classes instructor, Concert. Bill has been a valuable presence on the mountain dulciemr scene for almost 20 years. Before that for many years he performed at Dollywood, appearing at the Grand Ole Opry as a mandolin player and singer. His music styles range from bluegrass and old-time to jazz and rock, enhanced by his expressive vocals. Bill’s teaching is inspired, organized and supportive. He also happens to be one of the most respected builders of quality mountain dulcimers, and his instruments can be found in the hands of many satisfied players. During the school year, Bill teaches environmental science to sixth graders at the Eugene W. Huskey Environmental Center in Sevierville, TN.
	DON PEDI, Marshall, NC. Traditional Music for Mountain Dulcimer course lead instructor, Special Classes instructor, Concert. Don is a champion dulcimer player, a collector of traditional old-time music, an artist (her designed our DULCIMERVILLE masthead!), host of “Close to Home” radio program on the NPR affiliate 88.1 WCQS in Asheville, NC, and a T’ai Chi instructor. If that’s not enough, he has made many CDs of his dulcimer music, has several books of dulcimer music, and a DVD. He’s a very clear and supportive teacher who always brings new interesting music to his students. (http://www.donpedi.com)
	ANNE LOUGH, Clyde, NC. Beginner Skills & Music course and Special Classes instructor, 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. Anne devotes her time to playing and teaching at festivals, Elderhostel events, and schools. Besides mountain dulcimer she plays guitar autoharp, hammered dulcimer, and is known for her beautiful singing. She often teaches classes at the prestigious John C. Campbell Folk School and coordinates their annual Dulcimer Celebration. Anne has several books and recordings to her credit. Students always appreciate her well-planned classes, teaching skills, and friendly style. (http://www.annelough.info)
	DOUG BERCH, Okemos, MI. Intermediate-into-Advanced Skills & Music course co-instructor, Advanced Skills & Music course co-instructor Special Classes instructor, Concert. Doug has been performing and teaching since the mid 1970’s. During the 1980’s he toured throughout the United States and performed at many folk festivals, dulcimer festivals and concert venues. Doug recorded two records (Yes, records, the big round flat black vinyl things) for Kicking Mule Records. In 1983 Doug took first place in both the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship and the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship in Winfield, Kansas. (http://dougberch.com)
	PAUL ANDRY, Highlands, NC. Early Intermediate Skills & Music course and Special Classes instructor, 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. 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 Texas State Championship. He founded the Bayou Dulcimer Club and is credited as the creator of the highly successful Mardi Gras Dulcimer Festival in Covington, LA. An author of three dulcimer books and a CD entitled “Dixieland Dulcimer Favorites,” Paul teaches and performs at festivals throughout the South. Paul can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
	NINA ZANETTI, Guilderland, NY. Special Classes Instructor, Concert. Nina is the 2008 National Mountain Dulcimer Champion. She comes to the mountain dulcimer from a diverse musical background, including choral music, violin, viola, piano, and shape note singing. She plays regularly at churches, historic sites, and community events and has taught workshops at dulcimer festivals in VT, PA, CT, NY and at Western Carolina University Mountain Dulcimer Week. Nina is especially fond of the “softer side of dulcimer” and has produced two books of gentle, finger-style solo arrangements for mountain dulcimer (“The Softer Side of Dulcimer” and “Celtic Variations”). She has also produced two books of duets with Beth Lassi and appears with Beth in the compilation album “Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer play Music for Christmas”, produced by Susan Trump. Nina has also produced a CD of solos and duets, “The Sum of the Parts”, with Bill Collins. (http://www.ninazanetti.com)
	STEPHEN SEIFERT, Nashville, TN. Advanced Beginner Skills & Music course and Special Classes instructor, Concert. Stephen has been playing the mountain dulcimer since 1991. He has toured with David Schnaufer, performed with orchestras around the country, and been a featured performer in Japan. Since 1996, he has taught and performed at festivals and dulcimer clubs in Los Angeles, Detroit, New York, Pensacola, Houston, and many places in-between. “I want to play all styles of music on the mountain dulcimer. I also want to help my fellow dulcimer players pursue their musical desires, whatever they might be, with the least amount of time-wasting detours.” (http://stephenseifert.com)
	PHYLLIS GASKINS, Port Republic, VA. Traditional Music for Mountain Dulcimer course instructor, Special Classes instructor, Concert. Phyllis is a performer and instructor of the traditional Galax noter style of mountain dulcimer playing style learned over 25 years ago from Galax dulcimer player and maker Raymond Melton. Born and raised in the foothills of the VA Blue Ridge Mountains, Phyllis learned mountain style singing from her grandmother and mother. She has won numerous dulcimer competitions. She has two recordings and composes songs and tunes in traditional style and educational children’s songs. Phyllis has performed at large dulcimer events throughout the country. This website has sound files and information on the Highlander String Band, in which Phyllis plays her dulcimer: (http://www.bearcademusic.com)
	JIM GASKINS, Port Republic, VA. Traditional Music for Mountain Dulcimer course instructor, Special Classes instructor, Concert. Jim is a fiddler and composer. His other instruments include clawhammer banjo, bodhran and mandolin, and he plays traditional Irish, Appalachian Old-Time, and Scottish music. Jim has won numerous ribbons from old-time band and Scottish fiddle competitions. He learned form old-time music greats Luther Davis, Tommy Jarrell and Albert Hash, and masters of Irish and Cape Breton fiddling. His skills on several instruments can be heard on three CDs. Listen to Jim play on sound files with the Highlander String Band on this website: (http://www.bearcademusic.com)
	BETTY N. SMITH, Black Mountain, NC. Traditional Music for Mountain Dulcimer course instructor, Special Classes instructor, Concert. Betty N. Smith has performed, taught, and shared the traditional music of the South for over forty years in classrooms, concert halls, workshops, and festivals. She has taught mountain dulcimer skills and the traditions of the dulcimer at events throughout the country. Betty has been the recipient of many awards for her performing, ballad collecting, and writing skills, including: The Bascom Lamar Lunsford Award for significant contributions to folk traditions of the Southern Mountains, the “Minstrel of Appalachia” award for a lifetime of performing and preserving mountain music, and the Appalachian Writers Association presented her with the 1999 award for Contributions to Appalachian Literature. She received awards from the North Carolina Society of Historians for her book Jane Hicks Gentry: A Singer Among Singers, and her play, “A Mountain Riddle.” Betty’s children’s music curriculum materials have been published by Open Court and Children’s Music Workshop. Her beautiful voice and instrumental talents on the mountain dulcimer, psaltery, autoharp and guitar can be heard on well-known folk music labels. (http://www.bettysmithballads.com/bettysmithballads)
	JOHN HURON, Bristol, TN. Dulcimer Building course instructor. John’s “Noteworthy Instruments” mountain dulcimers, fretless banjos, mouth bows and “bones” are copies of historical 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. He has also invented a couple of his own folk instruments! A knowledgeable and humorous musical performer, John’s dulcimer building classes are enhanced with his lighthearted personality. He’s a regular on the teaching staff of John C. Campbell Folk School. He 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.
	LOIS HORNBOSTEL, Bryson City, NC. Producer of DULCIMERVILLE, Special Classes instructor, Concert. It’s not unusual to find Lois playing her dulcimer with old-time, Irish, Cajun or Scandinavian musicians. For over 30 years she has been a student and innovator of mountain dulcimer playing technique and repertoire – and has introduced the instrument’s voice in new musical settings. Her recordings include an “Indie” Award finalist in the World Music category - “Vive le Dulcimer.” Lois learned to play Southern Appalachian style from traditional NC dulcimer players Frank Proffitt, Jr. and Stanley Hicks, and has won first place in dulcimer competitions at the Galax, Mt. Airy, and Fiddlers Grove old-time music conventions. She tours nationally playing and teaching mountain dulcimer. In addition to Lois’s own recordings, she is featured on “Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer, Volume I” and the “Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer” Christmas album. Mel Bay Publications has published eight of Lois’s books for the mountain dulcimer, and she is editor of their http://www.DulcimerSessions.com “webzine.” DULCIMERVILLE reflects Lois’s ongoing enthusiasm as a mountain dulcimer “pilgrim.” (http://loishornbostel.com)
	MIKE ANDERSON, Jacksonville, IL. Special Classes instructor, Concert MC & Performer, Coordinator of Dulcimer Marketplace and Volunteers. Mike is a mountain dulcimer player, singer, writer, and storyteller. He also plays guitar, banjo, jaw harp, nose flute, and bones. He’s won more awards than you can shake a noter at for his work, including a Parent’s Choice award for his storytelling CD, “The Great Sled Race.” His song “I Dropped It” from his “Anna’s Old Boot” recording won him another Parent’s Choice award. We’re proud to have a man with all these talents and distinctions with us as he teaches Special Classes, plays and hosts concerts, and captains our Dulcimer Marketplace ship. (http://www.dulcimerguy.com/)
	JEFF FURMAN, Chapel Hill, NC. Special Classes instructor, Concert. Jeff is a multi-instrumentalist (mountain dulcimer, clawhammer banjo, guitar, auotharp, and string bass). He has played old-time music (primarily clawhammer banjo) since 1980. This influence can be heard in Jeff’s lively rhythmic style on fiddle tunes, and his versatility is demonstrated in his gentle, expressive playing of a slow air from the Celtic music traditions he loves. Jeff says his major dulcimer-playing influences were Lois Hornbostel, Neal Hellman and Ken Bloom, and he continues the process of influencing many others as a popular mountain dulcimer teacher at events throughout the East. He has produced two CDs of his music and has added his talents to those of several other artists. (http://www.jefffurman.com)
	JOSEPH SHELTON, Greensboro, NC. Dulcimer Doctor, Dulcimer Supply Booth, Special Classes instructor. One of the best dulcimer repair people in the business, for many years Joseph has rescued and fine-tuned thousands of dulcimers. He is also a talented musician who performs on fiddle, mountain and hammered dulcimers, and clawhammer banjo. Joseph and his wife, Marie, perform in their own string band, “JoyDogs.” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzCAp-x5XPM)
	MARIE SHELTON, Greensboro, NC. Administration. Marie is a spirited mountain dulcimer player and a member of the old-time string band, “JoyDogs.” She also is responsible for a lot of the work to launch DULCIMERVILLE, and is a wiz at technology!
	LINDA HYNSON, Asheville, NC. Administration. Linda runs a nonprofit radio reading service for the Blind in Asheville, has a way with words, and loves her dulcimer playing. You'll meet her when she gives announcements in classes and in our workshop office.
	HOMER AND LAURA PHILLIPS, Mesquite, TX, Builder's Class Assistant/Administration. Homer is the assistant-par-excellénce in our Dulcimer Building course, and a hero to the rest of us. Laura works on our Administration crew, makes magnificent quilts, and is an enthusiastic dulcimer player.
	DOC AND JEAN RUSSELL, WIREKNOT PRODUCTIONS, Charlotte, NC, Sound Engineers. Doc and Jean are some of the best acoustic sound engineers in the business, understand how to get the beauty out of mountain dulcimers, and have their own recording studio in Charlotte.
	ROGER & GAILANNE AMUNDSEN, Longwood, FL, Tutors. This brother and sister team are the key musicians in the group Jubal's Kin. Roger plays mountain dulcimer and guitar in styles from old-time to reggae, classical to folk. He has a Bachelor or Arts in Music from Rollins College and is currently pursuing a full-time course of study in an MBA program. He has won the FL State Dulcimer Championship 3 years in a row, and again in '09. Gailanne is an outstanding mountain dulcimer, fiddle, banjo player and singer who has won fiddle and dulcimer competitions all over the US. She has won the FL State Old Time Dulcimer Championship twice, and has won FL and TN state fiddling contests. Both Roger and Gailanne have experience teaching music and dulcimer classes, and will tutor classes, and lead some of our jam sessions.
	DEBY LIBBY, Seymour, TN, Tutor. Deby is an energetic and creative mountain dulcimer player from Seymour, TN. She is a member of the group TNT Dulcimers, who play in the Knoxville area and have three CDs of their music. Deby will be tutoring classes and leading some jam sessions.
	RANDY ADAMS, Lincoln, NB, Special Guest. Randy has played old-time music since the early '70s. He plays clawhammer banjo and guitar and discovered the mountain dulcimer in 1992 when his daughter brought home a cardboard dulcimer from music class in school. He soon became a serious dulcimer player totally in love with the unique sounds and capabilities of the instrument. He will be sharing his unique traditional playing and singing style and playing in our jam sessions.
	The Trantham Family, Waynesville, NC, Special Guest, are a traditional singing family from the North Carolina mountains. The grandfather, Jim, builds mountain dulcimers and guitars. Doug Trantham (clawhammer banjo & vocals), and his singing daughters Emily (guitar) and Sarah (bass) will join us as guests in our Traditional Music Course one day of our week. Some of you may remember The Tranthams when the kids were small (photo). Well, they’ve grown up and are making better music than ever!

innovative dulcimer player, teacher, author, and founder of DULCIMERVILLE