West Virginia has long-standing traditions of both hammered and lap dulcimer that go back to early settlement days. Today, the music of these instruments is evolving to include many genres and styles of playing. Augusta’s Spring Dulcimer Week offers numerous levels on both mountain and hammered dulcimer, as well as a class for autoharp. Dulcimer Week coordinator, Maddie MacNeil has assembled a stellar staff of many of today’s finest players and teachers. 2009 workshops scheduled include: Autoharp (Neal Walters), Hammered Dulcimer (Ray Belanger, Guy George, and Karen Ashbrook), Mountain Dulcimer (Anne Lough, Thomasina Levy, and Tull Glazener), as well as a NEW class, Mountain Dulcimer Construction (John Huron). Classes are limited in size to allow plenty of personal attention. The week will be enhanced by a visit from guest master artist Bernard Cyrus . There will also be a workshop with guest artist Sam Herrmann . Daily group sessions will highlight the talents of the dulcimer week staff. There will be regular evening jam sessions, slow jam sessions, films, song swaps, dances, a public concert, and end of the week skits and performances by the student classes.

Hammered dulcimers  and autoharps may be rented for the week.  Please call the Augusta office to reserve these.  Loaner mountain dulcimers are also available.