Carol Walker to Talk on the Mountain Dulcimer

The dulcimer is touted as a somewhat primitive, rustic, and “folksy” instrument that is so easy to play that anyone can do it. But in the hands of a musical expert, the sky is the limit!

An award-winning Appalachian mountain dulcimer performer, teacher, and arranger, Carol Walker will present an entertaining and educational program exploring the origin and evolution of this unique American folk instrument on Wednesday, November 29th at 1:30 pm at the Morristown and Morris Township Library, 1 Miller Road in Morristown. The public is invited to attend.

Carol will have a dozen different dulcimers on display, and will play each one, demonstrating the instrument’s evolution and modern-day abilities. Her presentation includes photos of dulcimers dating back to the late 18th century, along with other related instruments from around the world. Carol’s musical background as a classically trained pianist and harpist serves her well as she demonstrates what this humble 3-string instrument can do, far beyond its Appalachian roots. Audience members will be surprised to learn how many famous performers have included the dulcimer in their shows and recordings.

This is a program for the National Society of Arts and Letters, New Jersey Chapter, and is jointly sponsored by NSAL-NJ and the library.

Founded in 1944, NSAL has 15 chapters throughout the United States. Its mission is to support young artists in the performing, visual and literary arts through scholarships, competitions and mentoring. Visit www.arts-nsal.org.

Carol Walker’s formal training includes a degree in Music Education, with majors in piano, harp, and voice. During her 32 years as a high school choral teacher, she was the recipient of the NJ Governor’s Teacher of the Year Award. As a professional piano accompanist she continues her association with various schools, churches, theater groups, and community choruses around the tri-state area, including the prestigious Masterwork Chorus, Morristown, NJ, where she is also the Assistant Director and leader of the Masterwork Women’s Chamber Ensemble. Carol recently accepted a post as accompanist for the Choral Art Society, Westfield, NJ.

Carol branched out from her formal classical training when she bought her first mountain dulcimer in 1999. This newly found avenue of folk music led her to connect with many other folk musicians, along with an invitation to join Wayfarers & Company, an eclectic old-time folk group based in Stroudsburg, PA. Carol was active with this group for over 15 years, adding vocal harmonies, and playing dulcimer, upright bass, piano, melodica, and harp. The Wayfarers have produced two CDs. www.WayfarersAndCo.net.

Her live solo dulcimer concerts have been presented at Willow Hall and Folk Project’s Troubadour concert series, both located in Morristown, NJ, and most recently on the Wesley Stage Concert Series, hosted by Milton United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge, NJ. She is a popular performer and workshop leader at national dulcimer festivals around the country, including events in PA, CT, NY, VT, AL, KY, NC, LA, DE, OR, CO, NM, KS, and IN. In addition, she enjoys an active presence with several online festivals, including QuaranTUNE, North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association, and others, all of which began during the early days of the Covid shutdown, and continue today.

Carol is a three-time Top Five Finalist in the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship in Winfield, Kansas. She is an Endorsing Artist for Folkcraft Instruments, Woodburn, IN, and is the founder and director of the New York Dulcimer Orchestra, based in the Lower Hudson River Valley.

Carol published her 11th dulcimer instructional book in 2023, and expects to release another book in early 2024. In addition she has produced three CDs, and one DVD with Homespun Music based in Woodstock, NY.

Please visit Carol’s website: www.MusicLadyCarol.com

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