Dulcimers

We are delighted to welcome back Nonsuch Dulcimer Club to host another packed workshop week offering practical guidance on playing the dulcimer. Featuring superb tutors from the USA and UK. There will also be times to socialise and play informally, plus informal evening concerts from the tutors – and from participants!

You can choose from four courses. Please let us know your choice when booking:

• Mountain Dulcimer: Introductory Course

• Mountain Dulcimer: Exploring Course

• Hammered Dulcimer: Introductory Course

• Hammered Dulcimer: Exploring Course

Please Click here for further guidance about playing levels.

Who is it for?

All skill levels will be catered for on this course.  There will be two broad strands of workshops for both Mountain and Hammered Dulcimer: one for Beginner/Improvers and one for Intermediate/Advanced players. Please Click here for playing level guidelines. We hope that once again there will be instruments available – both mountain and hammered dulcimers – for beginners to borrow – please request early when you book.

The Team

Katie Moritz (USA) (Hammered Dulcimer) Katie Moritz is well-loved hammered dulcimer musician and teacher who has taught and performed at many festivals and gatherings around the United States. She’s been playing music ever since she could remember, playing piano from an early age, and the tuba through school. When Katie discovered the hammered dulcimer she knew that she had found her “musical voice”. She was the 2013 USA National Hammered Dulcimer Champion. Along with the hammered dulcimer, Katie is a multi-instrumentalist who plays mountain dulcimer, 'ukulele, steel pan, guitar, and more. Katie loves traditional music from around the world, 1940’s jazz standards, Broadway musicals, bluegrass, and pop.

Mark Alan Wade (USA) (Hammered Dulcimer) Mark Alan Wade performs throughout Europe, Asia, and North America as a soloist on dulcimer and trumpet. A classical trumpeter by trade, Mark earned his master and doctorate degrees in music from The Ohio State University and has played hammered and mountain dulcimers for over 30 years. His style uniquely marries his classical precision and technique with his wild traditional dulcimer playing. Mark’s playing brings Celtic & world music to life and authenticity to familiar classical pieces. Mark has published five dulcimer books with Mel Bay, Inc., as well as 5 self-published books on topics ranging from technique to Irish ornamentation. A National Champion himself, 6 of his students have also won the National Contest. Mark lives in Akron, Ohio with his wife and two sons. Visit www.markalanwade.com or find him on Facebook for more!

Karen Buglass (USA) (Mountain Dulcimer) Karen was a tutor at our Nonsuch Annual weekends in both 2017 and 2019, and we are so pleased to welcome her to Halsway. Karen’s love of the mountain dulcimer began two decades ago. Since then she’s studied with several national champions at workshops in the USA. She plays regularly at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Historic Site at Great Falls Tavern. Karen also plays the autoharp and bowed psaltery. Karen performed as a soloist during the Shenandoah University Mountain Dulcimer Festival and as part of a trio during Dulcimer Week at Western Carolina University. In addition to offering private lessons, Karen holds regular workshops in and around Washington DC.

Jeff Furman (USA) (Mountain Dulcimer) Jeff is an award-winning mountain dulcimer player who is known for his smooth and expressive style. His gentle, humorous, and effective teaching style has made him a very popular instructor at numerous mountain dulcimer workshops. Jeff is a multi instrumentalist who has been playing old-time music since 1980. Primarily a clawhammer banjo player for many years, he developed a rhythmic and melodic style which has heavily influenced his dulcimer playing. He has an extensive repertoire of old-time fiddle music which crosses over to a strong interest in Celtic music. He has a particular fondness for waltzes and Celtic airs on the dulcimer. Jeff has been performing for more than 35 years, and his technical abilities, quick ear, musical sensitivity, and expression have made Jeff a popular choice for playing on multiple recordings, including music from Ireland, Scotland, the Appalachian Mountains, and American folk tunes. Touching someone’s heart with his music is Jeff’s most rewarding goal. Visit Jeff online at: www.jefffurman.com.