• Comfort. At the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly we will stay in hotel-style rooms, not dorms, in the Blue Ridge “Center” and Asheville Hall next to it. We are reserving a block of rooms in the “Center” for students staying with other students and designated Handicapped people. In both buildings, each room has its own bathroom. When these fill up we still have plenty of space in the beautiful “Family Lodge #2.” All our buildings are air-conditioned and have parking outside the buildings. More details are on this site under “Costs: Housing/Meals.”

• Convenience of Location. Our classrooms, dining hall, concerts, marketplace, and sleeping rooms are not far apart at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly. No long walks unless you choose to get some exercise on the beautiful trails.

• Outdoor “Vacation” Options. Gorgeous mountains all around us. Heated outdoor swimming pool 1-6 p.m. Four tennis courts. Nature trails, gardens and scenic lake – all on the Blue Ridge Assembly grounds.

• Choices. You personalize your schedule choosing a morning course and afternoon classes, and how many additional activities you want. We don’t want to limit your choices, so it’s up to you to “pace” yourself.

• Friendship Hosts to welcome new participants.

• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night Staff Performances.

• Friday night Students’ Open Mike.

• Large Dulcimerville Marketplace featuring a large variety of dulcimers to try, recordings books, handmade dulcimer products.

• Dulcimer Doctor. Have your dulcimer repaired or rejuvenated with a visit to our Dulcimer Doctor, luthier Joseph Shelton.

• Dulcimer Supply Booth. Manufactured dulcimer supplies like a variety of strings, Herdim picks and other picks, tuners, and other supplies will be sold at the Supply Booth in Dulcimer Doctor Joseph Shelton’s office.

• Jam Sessions and Sing-Alongs! We’ll have over 30 of them in different experience levels so there’s a place for everyone. Some will be led by staff and include jamming instruction, and some are “Do-It-Yourself” jams. Staff and some special guests will also lead sing-alongs.

• Dulcimerville ORCHESTRA with Ken Bloom!  This is  a fun and musically educating experience. Ken originated this idea about 15 years ago when we were in Boone, NC. Students of all skill levels have an opportunity to enjoy the fun and camaraderie of playing in an organized musical group. A player-friendly piece of music will be arranged in 4 parts: a simple rhythm/chord part for newer players; a harmony part for those with a little experience; a lead part for more experienced players; and a part for students with bowed dulcimers. There will be 3-4 practice sessions in non-class times, and Dulcimerville Orchestra players are invited to perform a piece at the end of our Friday night Students’ Open Mike. To sign up for the Orchestra, just check the schedule when you arrive and show up at the first Orchestra session.

• Thursday afternoon “Field Trip” Time & “Supper-on-the-Town”: We want everyone to get to know our exciting new surroundings with some flexible Field Trip options. After lunch in the Blue Ridge Center Dining Hall, we’ll carpool to some enjoyable options like:
  
  
  • Shopping in downtown Black Mountain (2 dulcimer shops, a museum, many colorful craft/art/clothing shops.
  • Drive a few miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway’s wonderful mountain scenery, visit the Parkway Folk Arts Center, and magnificent Craggy Knob.
  • Rustic Montreat College can be added to these.
  • Asheville is 14 miles away, with many attractions like Biltmore House, Biltmore Village and the historic downtown area.

The Black Mountain/Asheville area offers excellent restaurants (many price ranges & cuisines). We’ll pay for supper at a restaurant of our choosing, and this meal is not included in your Blue Ridge Dining Hall meal plan. We’ll return to the Blue Ridge Center for the day’s 2-hr. Special Subject classes taking place from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

• Drawings for valuable premiums in support of next year’s Scholarship Programs.