Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival

03/18/2026

The 2026 Fort New Salem Festival will be August 7-9. More info soon.

08/12/2025

Here are a few photos from the 2025 Fort New Salem Dulcimer Weekend in Salem, WV. Thank you to all staff and participants for helping make this a great weekend.

08/07/2025

The local chamber of commerce is having a lasagna dinner Saturday night from 4-7 in downtown Salem if you are looking for a dinner option. Fliers with more info will be available at the registration table.

Send a message to learn more

08/06/2025

Due to reduced grant funding for the arts, the Fort New Salem Board added a general admission fee to the workshop fee to help cover the costs (which they did for all programs at the fort). Please use the registration form shown here rather than the one posted earlier this summer that did not include the general admission fee. (I don't want anyone to be surprised by the cost when they show up at the festival.)

07/23/2025

Registration Form

Registration for the 34th Fort New Salem Dulcimer Weekend can be done at the event or in advance. If you wish to register in advance, you can print and snail mail the form below with a check. You can also pay by credit card by calling 304-695-2220. Please email a copy of the registration form to [email protected] if you pay by credit card. You may also email the registration form and pay at the event. (If requested, I can email a Word document to fill out which I couldn't attach to this post.)

07/22/2025

Current schedule (as of July 21, 2025) for Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival 2025. Note: subject to change if needed.

07/21/2025

Workshop Descriptions by Time

Saturday 9:00 – 10:00

Dorian Mode – Joe Steiner – Using the old-timey song Pretty Polly, we'll explore the Dorian mode and open up a whole new world of haunting melodies on the dulcimer. MD – AB

Strengthen Your Strum 1 – Bill Locke – The idea of using a flat pick to structure a strum into a rhythmic pattern is explored in this workshop. A single well known and simple tune will be used with a series of strum methods to develop a variety of sounds that can add a different energy to a tune. This may be used to provide sounds familiar from the playing of other instruments in an old-time band. We start with the basics and add complexity as we go. MD -– AB, I

Never Touched a Hammered Dulcimer Before – Jeff Fedan – This is a workshop for someone who has not done more than look at a hammered dulcimer but wants to try it out to see if they’d like to play it. We’ll cover the layout of the instrument, tuning, hammering technique, and learn a real song or two. A lender instrument will be available. HD – B
Beginning Pennywhistle – Amy Kaiser – Learn the basics of playing this simple, easy to carry instrument. Pennywhistle – B

Saturday 10:15 – 11:15

Getting Started on Mountain Dulcimer – Shari Wolf – This is a workshop for the very beginner. Participants will be shown how to tune the mountain dulcimer, how to find notes, and how to strum. Participants will also learn how to play several easy melodies. A few loaner dulcimers will be available for those who don’t have their own. MD – B

Making It Swing – Joe Steiner – In this workshop, we will use a couple Bob Wills tunes to learn "Swingy" backup and get ideas for arranging lead lines. MD – I

Moving Basic Melodies on Hammered Dulcimer – Bill Schilling – The purpose of this workshop is to acquaint the participants with one simple technique for adding variety while playing melody lines on hammered dulcimer. Participants will try using basic patterns to move the melody higher and/or lower depending on the ranges of their instruments and the keys involved. HD – AB

Native American Flute – Linda Sigismondi – This is a workshop for those interested in starting a journey on the Native American style flute or simply learning more about it. We will look at some basics on how to play including the minor pentatonic scale and some simple ornaments. Examples of different keys and types of flutes will be demonstrated. Playing the flute with other instruments will be discussed if participants are interested. Several Am flutes will be available for use but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it. NAF – All

Saturday 11:30 – 12:30

Add More Tunes to Your Play List – Marge Diamond – Do you have some dulcimer playing experience and are wondering where to get more tunes? Marge has a large repertoire of fiddle and old-time tunes from her many years of playing at festivals. She will share a few of these with you in this workshop as well as answer questions on techniques. MD – AB

Introduction to 4-String Equidistant Dulcimer – Jerry Rockwell – I love playing the 4-equidistant dulcimer as TWO separate 3-string instruments: one dulcimer in DAD, and the other in ADD. Once you get used to the ADD or 511 strings, they offer new musical possibilities. Even though it is possible to play the same chords further up the fingerboard on the DAD or 158 set, they FEEL so much better on the ADD set! I will also show you some of my favorite 4-string chords, MD – All

5 Pattern Tune – Christine Steiner – Learn “Nutfactory Shuffle” by breaking it down into five 2-measure patterns that you will memorize and put together to create this tune. Depending on your skill level, you can play the basic tune, or I will show you how to embellish it for more advanced players. HD – All

Songs with Good Choruses – Bill Schilling – A shared group of voices is something really special. We'll try some rounds, some harmonies, some simple words to remember, some old favorites, and some challenges to the memories. We'll use instruments and we'll sing a ca****la. Participants may suggest or lead songs during the workshop, but everyone should come prepared to join in the singing! All

Saturday 1:15 – 2:15

Mountain Dulcimer Styles – Linda Sigismondi – In this workshop, beginning to novice players will get a chance to hear and try several different styles of playing the mountain dulcimer including basic strumming, fingerpicking, and using a noter using some traditional tunes.(DAD tuning). MD – B

Some Intermediate English Tunes – Steven K Smith – I'll present some traditional English tunes from the English Country Dance repertoire in intermediate level arrangements for the Mountain Dulcimer, along with some discussion of sources for the tunes. MD – I
Hymns – Amy Kaiser – Amy will show you how to play some common hymns on the hammered dulcimer to increase your repertoire. HD – AB

Finger Style Guitar – Bill Locke – For those that can play a few chords and want to do it all without a pick. We won’t do it all, but we can give it a start. Dance with your right hand. Guitar – AB

Saturday 2:30 – 3:30

Basic Blues on the Mountain Dulcimer – Steven K Smith – Yes, you really can play the blues on the mountain dulcimer. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it sounds GREAT! In this class we’ll go over the basics of the instrumental 12 bar blues pattern in several keys, all while tuned to DAd. MD – AB, I

Learning ALL your D, G, and A Chords – Jerry Rockwell – Tired of playing the same old lower position chords? We'll open up your chordal horizons by learning at least one or two more shapes for these three primary chords, including some great chords with open strings. We'll apply these chord shapes to a "stretched-out" version of the cabbage chords. Tuning DAD. MD – I, A

One Chord to Rule Them All – Christine Steiner – Learn one simple pattern and be able to play any chord. Will learn to “chop” chords and play arpeggios. Will practice playing backup chords to a couple of common fiddle tunes.. HD – All

Beginning Melody Chord Style Ukulele – Bill Schilling – The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the participants to ways to play simple melody chord style ukulele adapting the melody chord numbering system used for autoharps. Players will be able to hear more melody in their playing (while still chording) by learning to use more chord changes than are used for standard accompaniment chords. Singing while playing may also be incorporated. Ukulele – B, AB



Saturday 3:45 – 4:45

Fun With 4-chord Loops – Jerry Rockwell – In this session we'll learn the basics of jamming with 4-chord loops, starting with the famous D-A-Bm-G progression and its minor-leaning offspring which is a reordering (Bm-G-D-A). We'll learn some riffs that go with these chords, and we'll get some arrangement ideas to fuel your creativity. Besides 4/4 time, we'll try 3/4 and 6/8 time as well. DAD tuning for dulcimers. All instruments welcome, and open to all levels. All

Adapting Pop Covers to the Mountain Dulcimer – Rayme Pullen – This workshop will cover several tunes you may not have thought to try on the dulcimer. Songs by Sierra Ferrell, Dolly Parton, Ed Sheeran, and Amy Winehouse translate surprisingly well to a mountain dulcimer with a little creativity. We will explore how to play a handful of pop songs in two tunings (DAA and DAC). The playing style in this workshop will focus on strumming to an accompanying chord progression and adding instrumental fills to fit the type of song you want to cover. MD – AB, I

Band It – Shari Wolf – How to add pizzazz to your group playing by using intros/outros, chord backup, alternative melodies, breaks/solos, and more. All Instruments/levels

Drumming – Linda Sigismondi – Is you head hurting from all the new techniques and music you worked on today? Come and beat out some tension in a drum circle. Llinda will show you some basic rhythms and do some rhythm games. Some “bucket drums” and other percussions instruments will be available for use. You can also bring your own drum and percussion instruments. All

Sunday 9:30 – 10:30

Song Circle – Bill Schilling – This is a time to gather on Sunday morning and share some music in an informal session. Each person in the circle will be given a chance to play a song, to request a song or to just sit and listen. All

Sunday 10:45 – 11:45

Playing Without Tab – Marge Diamond – Hear a tune and wonder how to play it? Marge will show you some techniques to help you play by ear. This is for those who have some playing experience. MD – AB

Strengthen Your Strum 2 – Bill Locke – In this workshop Bill will show some more advanced strumming techniques including triplets (cross-picking) and damping methods which may be used to further add variety to playing. A range of tunes genres might be tried using these methods including old-time and blues sounds. As before, we are playing the instrument in a fashion that tends to “join the band” as it relates to the overall sound. MD – I

Hammered dulcimer tunes from north-central West Virginia we should play more often – Jeff Fedan – So many tunes…so little time. What about tunes in the old-time repertoire that we have neglected? Let’s learn a few of them. HD – AB, I
Harmonica – Joe Steiner – Learn the basics of playing this simple, easy to carry instrument. Some harmonicas will be available for sale. Harmonica - B

Sunday 1:00 – 2:00

Chord Building for the Mountain Dulcimer – Steven K Smith – Ever wonder what those letters you sometimes see printed above a line of music or tablature mean? Come to this workshop and find out! We’ll learn the basics of “What is a Chord?” and “Where are they?” as applied to the mountain dulcimer. Then we’ll go over a couple of common chord progressions and talk a little about chord substitutions. MD –AB

Playing Hymns on the Mountain Dulcimer – Rayme Pullen – This workshop will explore a handful of well-known hymns from the “red back hymnal” tradition in 2 tunings (DAA and DAD). We will cover playing the hymn melodies first in drone style, then with a basic I - IV - V chord accompaniment, as well as some options for re-harmonizing some of these well-known classics to add color and life to your arrangements. MD – AB, I

Childgrove – Christine Steiner – This is a fun song in Em. Will learn the basic tune, some embellishments, and play “chopped” chord backups. HD - AB
Spoons are for more than eating with – Jeff Fedan – If you tap your feet when you play, why not do something with your hands too? Spoons add a special flavor to up-beat, old-time tunes and are easy to play. Some (mostly me) have suggested that spoons are the most important part of any old-time band. If you can clap your hands, you can play the spoons. Funny, no one uses forks or knives in a band! All

Sunday 2:15 – 3:00

Finale – Linda Sigismondi and Bill Schilling – The festival will conclude with an all-participant gathering in which everyone is invited to join in to sing and play as we end the festival in song and perhaps harmony. All

Send a message to learn more

07/21/2025

Lunch will be for sale both Saturday and Sunday. Details are still being worked out. Drinks and snacks will be available in the store throughout the weekend.

07/11/2025

2025 Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival
Workshop Descriptions by Workshop Leader
as of July 11, 2025

Playing Without Tab – Marge Diamond – Hear a tune and wonder how to play it? Marge will show you some techniques to help you play by ear. This is for those who have some playing experience. MD – AB

Add More Tunes to Your Play List – Marge Diamond – Do you have some dulcimer playing experience and are wondering where to get more tunes? Marge has a large repertoire of fiddle and old-time tunes from her many years of playing at festivals. She will share a few of these with you in this workshop as well as answer questions on techniques. MD – AB

Never Touched a Hammered Dulcimer Before – Jeff Fedan – This is a workshop for someone who has not done more than look at a hammered dulcimer, but wants to try it out to see if they’d like to play it. We’ll cover the layout of the instrument, tuning, hammering technique, and learn a real song or two. A lender instrument will be available. B – HD

Spoons are for more than eating with – Jeff Fedan – If you tap your feet when you play, why not do something with your hands too? Spoons add a special flavor to up-beat, old-time tunes and are easy to play. Some (mostly me) have suggested that spoons are (is?) the most important part of any old-time band. If you can clap your hands, you can play the spoons. Funny, no one uses forks or knives in a band! All

Hammered dulcimer tunes from north-central West Virginia we should play more often – Jeff Fedan – So many tunes…so little time. What about tunes in the old-time repertoire that we have neglected? Let’s learn a few of them. HD – AB, I
Basic Hymns that We Love – Amy Kaiser – Learn to play some of your old favorite melodies along with some harmony variations HD – AB
Beginning Pennywhistle – Amy Kaiser – Learn the basics of playing this simple, easy to carry instrument. Fi*****ng charts will be provided. If you don’t have your own pennywhistle, $10 ones will be available for purchase at the workshop. Pennywhistle - B
Strengthen Your Strum 1 – Bill Locke – The idea of using a flat pick to structure a strum into a rhythmic pattern is explored in this workshop. A single well known and simple tune will be used with a series of strum methods to develop a variety of sounds that can add a different energy to a tune. This may be used to provide sounds familiar from the playing of other instruments in an old-time band. We start with the basics and
add complexity as we go. MD - AB, I

Strengthen Your Strum 2 – Bill Locke – In this workshop Bill will show some more advanced strumming techniques including triplets (cross-picking) and damping methods which may be used to further add variety to playing. A range of tunes genres might be tried using these methods including old-time and blues sounds. As before, we are playing the instrument in a fashion that tends to “join the band” as it relates to the
overall sound. MD – I

Finger Style Guitar – Bill Locke – For those that can play a few chords and want to do it all without a pick. We won’t do it all, but we can give it a start. Dance with your right hand.

Playing Hymns on the Mountain Dulcimer – Rayme Pullen – This workshop will explore a handful of well-known hymns from the “red back hymnal” tradition in two tunings (DAA and DAD). We will cover playing the hymn melodies first in drone style, then with a basic I - IV - V chord accompaniment, as well as some options for re-harmonizing some of these well-known classics to add color and life to your hymn arrangements. MD – AB, I

Adapting Pop Covers to the Mountain Dulcimer – Rayme Pullen – This workshop will cover several tunes you may not have thought to try on the dulcimer. Songs by Sierra Ferrell, Dolly Parton, Ed Sheeran, and Amy Winehouse translate surprisingly well to a mountain dulcimer with a little creativity. We will explore how to play a handful of pop songs in two tunings (DAA and DAC). The playing style in this workshop will focus on strumming to an accompanying chord progression and adding instrumental fills to fit the type of song you want to cover. MD – AB, I

Fun With 4-chord Loops – Jerry Rockwell – In this session we'll learn the basics of jamming with 4-chord loops, starting with the famous D-A-Bm-G progression and its minor-leaning offspring which is a reordering (Bm-G-D-A). We'll learn some riffs that go with these chords, and we'll get some arrangement ideas to fuel your creativity. Besides 4/4 time, we'll try 3/4 and 6/8 time as well. DAD tuning for dulcimers. All instruments welcome, and open to all levels.

Learning ALL your D, G, and A Chords – Jerry Rockwell – Tired of playing the same old lower position chords? We'll open up your chordal horizons by learning at least one or two more shapes for these three primary chords, including some great chords with open strings. We'll apply these chord shapes to a "stretched-out" version of the cabbage chords. Tuning DAD Intermediate and up.

Introduction to 4-String Equidistant Dulcimer Playing on Standard DADD and Baritone AEAA and ADAA – Jerry Rockwell – I love playing the 4-equidistant dulcimer as TWO separate 3-string instruments: one dulcimer in DAD, and the other in ADD. Once you get used to the ADD or 511 strings, they offer new musical possibilities. Even though it is possible to play the same chords further up the fingerboard on the DAD or 158 set, they FEEL so much better on the ADD set! I will also show you some of my favorite 4-string chords, including some using open strings. Open to all levels.

Moving Basic Melodies on Hammered Dulcimer – Bill Schilling – The purpose of this workshop is to acquaint the participants with one simple technique for adding variety while playing melody lines on hammered dulcimer. Participants will try using basic patterns to move the melody higher and/or lower depending on the ranges of their instruments and the keys involved.

Beginning Melody Chord Style Ukulele – Bill Schilling – The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the participants to ways to play simple melody chord style ukulele adapting the melody chord numbering system used for autoharps. Players will be able to hear more melody in their playing (while still chording) by learning to use more chord changes than are used for standard accompaniment chords. Singing while playing may also be incorporated. Ukulele – B, AB

Songs with Good Choruses – Bill Schilling – A shared group of voices is something really special. We'll try some rounds, some harmonies, some simple words to remember, some old favorites, and some challenges to the memories. We'll use instruments and we'll sing a ca****la. Participants may suggest or lead songs during the workshop, but everyone should come prepared to join in the singing! All

Mountain Dulcimer Styles – Linda Sigismondi – In this workshop, beginning to novice players will get a chance to hear and try several different styles of playing the mountain dulcimer including basic strumming, fingerpicking, and using a noter using some traditional tunes.(DAD tuning)
MD – B

Native American Flute – Linda Sigismondi – This is a workshop for those interested in starting a journey on the Native American style flute or simply learning more about it. We will look at some basics on how to play including the minor pentatonic scale and some simple ornaments. Examples of different keys and types of flutes will be demonstrated. Playing the flute with other instruments will be discussed if participants are interested. Several Am flutes will be available for use but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it. NAF – All

Drumming – Linda Sigismondi – Is you head hurting from all the new techniques and music you worked on today? Come and beat out some tension in a drum circle. Llinda will show you some basic rhythms and do some rhythm games. Some “bucket drums” and other percussions instruments will be available for use. You can bring your own drum and percussion instruments. All

Basic Blues on the Mountain Dulcimer – Steven K Smith – Yes, you really can play the blues on the mountain dulcimer. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it sounds GREAT! In this class we’ll go over the basics of the instrumental 12 bar blues pattern in several keys, all while tuned to DAd. MD – AB, I

Chord Building for the Mountain Dulcimer – Steven K Smith – Ever wonder what those letters you sometimes see printed above a line of music or tablature mean? Come to this workshop and find out! We’ll learn the basics of “What is a Chord?” and “Where are they?” as applied to the mountain dulcimer. Then we’ll go over a couple of
common chord progressions and talk a little about chord substitutions. MD –AB

Some Intermediate English Tunes – Steven K Smith – I'll present some traditional English tunes from the English Country Dance repertoire in intermediate level arrangements for the MountainDulcimer, along with some discussion of sources for the tunes..MD –I

One Chord to Rule Them All – Christine Steiner – Learn one simple pattern and be able to play any chord. Will learn to “chop” chords and play arpeggios. Will practice playing backup chords to a couple of common fiddle tunes.. HD - B

Childgrove – Christine Steiner – This is a fun song in Em. Will learn basic tune, some embellishments, and play “chopped” chord backups. HD - AB

5 Pattern Tune – Christine Steiner – Learn “Nutfactory Shuffle” by breaking it down into five 2-measure patterns that you will memorize and put together to create this tune. Depending on your skill level, you can play the basic tune, or I will show you how to embellish it for more advanced players. HD - All

Dorian Mode – Joe Steiner – Using the old-timey song Pretty Polly, we'll explore the Dorian mode and open up a whole new world of haunting melodies on the dulcimer. MD – AB

Making It Swing – Joe Steiner – In this workshop, we will use a couple Bob Wills tunes to learn "Swingy" backup and get ideas for arranging lead lines MD - I
Harmonica – Joe Steiner – Learn the basics of playing this simple, easy to carry instrument. Some harmonicas will be available for sale. Harmonica - B

Band It – Shari Wolf – How to add pizzazz to your group playing by using intros/outros, chord backup, alternative melodies, breaks/solos, and more. All Instruments/levels

Getting Started on Mountain Dulcimer – Shari Wolf – This is a workshop for the very beginner. Participants will be shown how to tune the mountain dulcimer, how to find notes, and how to strum. Participants will also learn how to play several easy melodies. A few loaner dulcimers will be available for those who don’t have their own. MD – B

Send a message to learn more

07/10/2025

2025 Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival
Workshop Leaders

Marge Diamond started playing dulcimer in 1985, after witnessing the fun and friendship old time musicians were having when playing their music together. She decided that was what she wanted to do. She started out with a cardboard dulcimer in May and by August felt she deserved a wood dulcimer as she was hooked big time on the challenge of getting her fingers moving up and down the fret board in time with the music. The love of the instrument and the joy of making new friends has kept her going for over 40 years.

Jeff Fedan lives in Masontown, WV, just outside of Morgantown, WV, and learned to play the hammered dulcimer from his teacher and mentor, Patty Looman, who gave him the gift of music. He is especially interested in the old-time repertoire of northern West Virginia, the music of Worley Gardner, Russell Fluharty, Patty Looman, and Sam Rizzetta, and in preserving these tunes and the old-time traditions of the area. Jeff is founder of PattyFest Inc. [a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization] and PattyFest, an old-time music festival founded in 2002 that has been honoring Patty Looman and now, her memory. He also serves on the board of PattyFest, Inc., assists with the February Gardner Winter Music Festival, which has gone on forever. He has conducted workshops at the Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival, Dulci-More, the Gardner Winter Music Festival and PattyFest, and wants to pass the Old-time music DNA to students. Last and least (?), he is also a drummer and plays in a rock cover band, and tunes his spoons on a regular basis.

Amy Kaiser is a former student of Jeff Fedan and is new to the Fort New Salem dulcimer festival this year. She first became interested in the hammered dulcimer when she heard dulcimers jamming under the trees at the Stonewall Jackson Jubilee. She plays hammered dulcimer and penny whistle in the group Sound Of The Mountains. Amy is from Fairmont, WV.

Bill Locke has played guitar, dulcimer, and clawhammer banjo for many years. He has performed at Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival several times as well as at Dulcimore and many other venues. His music spans areas of old-time music, blues, and jazz.

Rayme Pullen is a West Virginia native and a Doddridge County High School graduate. She graduated in 2012 with a B.M. in Piano Performance from Liberty University in Virginia. Ms. Pullen teaches over 50 piano students every week at her studio at the west end of Salem. In addition to private instruction, she enjoys work as a staff accompanist with the Academy for the Arts in Fairmont, East Fairmont High School, and as a collaborative pianist at Victory Baptist Church. Ms. Pullen serves as a board member of the Cultural Foundation of Harrison County. She is also serving in the position of President-Elect on the West Virginia Music Teachers Association board and is active in organizing District 2 festivals and adjudications as WVMTA District 2 Chair. She is active in providing live music at community events in Salem with her piano students, as a solo pianist, and as a novice mountain dulcimer player. Rayme resides in Salem with her husband Trevor and their children, Ezra and Blythe.

Jerry Rockwell is currently living in Wooster, Ohio, and he specializes in ambient, meditative music on the electric and acoustic mountain dulcimer. During the past five decades, Jerry has played at folk festivals in England, Ireland and Iceland and around the US. He has published nine instructional tunebooks, is featured on many recordings and musical collaborations, has co-founded three dulcimer festivals, and continues to design and build custom acoustic and electric mountain dulcimers.

Bill Schilling has been singing and playing various folk instruments (at least 20 with variations of several) for over 55 years. He has performed for audiences of all ages in many settings from coast to coast. His high-energy performances may include songs, slide programs, and/or stories selected specifically for your group. His performances often involve members of your group with audience participation songs or activities. Bill often performs with others including Rich & Kathy Small and with Linda Sigismondi with whom he has recorded “Songs from Canal Days”. Since Bill believes that his music should be inclusive, he is involved in many groups which share music. A few of them are: Dulci-More: Folk & Traditional Musicians (Bill is the founder and leader of this group); the annual Dulci-More Festival (Bill was the director for the festival's 25 years); the Canton Folk Song Society (Bill is one of the original members); the Dulcimer Society of Trumbull County (Bill has reorganized and leads this group); Folknet (Bill is a charter Executive Committee Member, treasurer, & past President); PattyFest,Inc. (Bill is a board member; and Folk Music at Weatherbury Farm (Bill is one of the originators of this program and a workshop leader). His “Dulci-More Public Domain Songbooks” (in several variations) are used by clubs and individuals.

Linda Sigismondi is a mountain dulcimer player and folksinger from Gallipolis, Ohio. Her music includes traditional Appalachian tunes, Celtic tunes, traditional and contemporary folk music, and some original compositions that feature environmental themes. Linda organizes the music and workshops for the Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival. Linda has taught workshops and performed at many folk music festivals in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and New York. Linda has written several books of mountain dulcimer tab and has one recording with Bill Schilling.

Steven K. Smith has been a player, composer, teacher, and recorder of dulcimer music since 1983. His playing expands on the traditional Appalachian repertoire for the instrument to encompass tunes from British Isles, European classical music, modern pop songs, and the blues. Steve improvises and composes much of his music as well. He's less of a "dulcimer player" as a "musician who plays the dulcimer." He has several albums and tune books of dulcimer instrumentals available.

Chris Steiner: As someone who never touched a stringed instrument until she was in her 40s, Chris Steiner is living proof that you are never too old to learn, and she just LOVES teaching “old dogs new tricks”. In addition to private lessons, Chris conducts workshops and performs at several festivals and venues yearly. Her vita includes festivals such as Buckeye Dulcimer Festival (on staff for over 20 years!), ODPC, Dulcimers on the Chautauqua and others in the Midwest. Chris (with husband Joe) is also very instrumental in running a large, twice-yearly bluegrass festival in Indiana, now in its 49th year. She is currently performing with her husband Joe, and Shari Wolf as “Buckeye Roadshow” to promote live music and festivals. [See Dulcimer Player News, Winter Issue, Vol. 50, No. 1 for more information on Buckeye Roadshow]

Joe Steiner is a well-respected and innovative instructor on several instruments, including banjo, guitar, dulcimer, bass and harmonica, and he has several recordings to his credit with various old-time and bluegrass groups. He has been performing, playing and teaching stringed instruments all over the Midwest for over 45 years. Joe is the host and programmer of Blue Ridge Breakdown, a bluegrass and old-time music program on WLFC 88.3, University of Findlay, now in his 27th year behind the controls. You can listen to him any Monday night from 8-10 pm. EST, on www.pulse.findlay.edu/listen-live. He currently performs with several ensembles including the Old-Time Duo with wife Chris Steiner and Buckeye Roadshow with Chris and Shari Wolf.

Shari Wolf is a mountain dulcimer player from Dayton, Ohio. She is the founding member of Sweetwater, an Ohio-based dulcimer folk trio which performed extensively in the Midwest beginning in the 1980’s until the group’s finale in 2008. Since that time, Shari has been involved with other groups including Buckeye Roadshow (with Chris and Joe Steiner), Country Strings (no longer performing), Nine-Mile Creek (a community string band in SW Ohio) and the Dayton Dulcimer Society. She also manages websites for a wide variety of music-related groups. Shari’s passion is to lead jams that invite all playing levels to join in as well as arranging music customized to the strengths of the members.

Send a message to learn more