Location:
Location: Big Stone Gap, VA
Country: USA
Country: USA
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Born & raised in the mountains of Southwestern Virginia where old-time mountain music is alive & well! I currently own a Bill Taylor dulcimer that I purchased in 1994. Also, in 1994, I was fortunate enough to take beginning dulcimer lessons from Betty Smith at a Dulcimer Players' Workshop at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Unfortunately, for most of the next 20+ years, the dulcimer lived on the top shelf of the spare bedroom closet. Last fall, I signed up for an Appalachian Dulcimer class at our local community college. Now that I'm retired, I have more time for things I enjoy - including playing the dulcimer. Hope to continue playing for a lot of years.
I spent all last week in Mountain Music School at Mountain Empire Community College. This is the 14th year for Mountain Music School, but my first year. What a wonderful resource we have here in our little town! I spent my mornings in the Intermediate Dulcimer class with Butch Ross. If you ever have a chance to take a class with Butch, I highly recommend it. He's a great teacher and a really fun person. It was a great week and I feel like I learned quite a bit.
One thing I learned is that not having a 6+ fret is getting to be more of an issue, especially in DAD tuning. So I decided to remedy that by getting a new dulcimer! Just ordered a spalted dogwood, hourglass model from Jack Ferguson at Appalachia Flutes & Dulcimers. It should ship in about 4 weeks. Can't wait to get it!
Welcome to FOTMD, Ann. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Hi Ann, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. It's a good place to come, spend some time, learn about the dulcimer, and to meet some good people.
Ben
My profile picture was taken at our end-of-semester concert at Mountain Empire Community College. As you can probably tell, the concert was shortly before Christmas. (I don't normally wear candy-cane antlers. LOL.) The end-of-semester concert was for all the music classes so in addition to the dulcimer class, we had music from guitar classes, banjo classes, fiddle classes, and string band classes, as well as a combined "finale". Fortunately, MECC has a very active Mountain Music curriculum, and also hosts a week-long Mountain Music School in the summer.
Welcome, Ann to the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. I am so glad you have started playing your dulcimer again. You will find this forum full of knowledgeable folks who enjoy sharing their knowledge, wisdom and experience with others. Feel free to post comments, ask questions and seek advice. Glad you joined.
Welcome, Ann, to this little corner of dulcimer heaven. Hope you enjoy it here.
Rob
Hey Ann, welcome aboard. Glad ya found us.