Presented by Community Music School of Santa Cruz 
Saturday, August 10, 2013 Workshops: 10am – 5:30 pm (doors open 9 am)
Concert: 7 p.m. Aptos Community United Methodist Church 221 Thunderbird Dr., Aptos, CA. Suggested Concert Donation: $15 ($12 students).
On Saturday, August 10, Community Music School of Santa Cruz presents the 13th annual Redwood Dulcimer Day, the biggest and best fretted dulcimer gathering in the west! Enjoy a dozen diverse dulcimer workshops in many music styles, a lunchtime faculty showcase, an open mic and music circles, and a fun, low-pressure atmosphere. First-time players are welcome, and loaner dulcimers are available. An evening dulcimer concert with separate admission follows the day of workshops.
To register for workshops or for more information, visit http://www.redwooddulcimerday.com or call Shelley Phillips at (831) 426-9155 or e-mail Ron Beardslee at [email protected] – Workshops Admission: $50 in advance or $60 at the door; lunch and dinner included!
This year’s Redwood Dulcimer Day features visiting master artist Karen Mueller of Minneapolis, MN. Karen is a virtuoso dulcimer player (and national autoharp champion!) who bridges many dulcimer traditions, from Celtic to pop and jazz, to formulate her own dynamic style. As a full-time performer and instructor she has travelled throughout the US and England and taught at major dulcimer events, including the Augusta Heritage Center, Swannanoa Gathering. California Solstice, Northeast Dulcimer Symposium, and more. Karen has released six solo recordings and several instruction books, See http://www.karenmueller.com/.
Redwood Dulcimer Day will also feature a special focus on pioneering dulcimer popularizer and folksinger legend Jean Ritchie, who was born in rural Kentucky in 1922 and was a huge influence in the American folk revival of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Dr. Janet Herman, a musician and folklorist with Community Music School of Santa Cruz, will offer workshops on Jean Ritchie’s style and repertoire and open the evening concert with a Jean Ritchie Tribute with her band, the Fair Beauty Brights (Shelley Phillips, Kathleen Loveless and Laura Reeve) and Deby Grosjean on fiddle.
Redwood Dulcimer Day faculty also includes Neal Hellman, founder of Gourd Music and a nationally acclaimed dulcimer performer, arranger, workshop leader, and recording artist; Peter Tommerup a gifted musician and member of the teaching staff at Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto; and DJ Hamouris, a popular private teacher from the East Bay.
The fretted dulcimer, aka lap dulcimer or mountain dulcimer, comes from the Appalachian Mountains and has a distinctive sweet tone. As one of the easiest instruments to learn, beginners can make lovely simple sounds immediately. The instrument also has a surprising range, and advanced players can explore many techniques and tunings for a whole world of musical possibilities.
For more information, visit http://www.redwooddulcimerday.com or call Shelley Phillips at (831) 426-9