3-Day Mountain Dulcimer Festival — May 16-18, 2014 — Meet the Guest
Get ready for a 3-day weekend of mountain and hammered dulcimer music played by
nationally known artist and explore the remarkable sounds of a growing trend.
Ralph Lee Smith has developed a love for and a
personal bond to the Appalachian dulcimer and
Appalachian folk music. I play traditional songs of
the Appalachian Mountains, on the dulcimer, in
easy and simple styles. You can too! Welcome to
this wonderful heritage!
Madeline MacNeil’s audiences hold their collective
breath as the last notes of her songs drift into the
tableau of stages large and small. Since 1972,
when she began performing in Virginia’s
Shenandoah National Park, Madeline’s goal has
always been to bring listeners into the song. Her
interest in stories first brought the mountain and
hammered dulcimers to her attention, for they are
part of this country’s musical history. This is part
of Madeline’s treasure as a performer: she sings
and tells the stories with her beautiful voice and
exceptional dulcimer skills.
Jeff Furman is a multi-instrumentalist (mountain
dulcimer, claw hammer banjo, guitar, autoharp, and
string bass) who has been playing old-time music since
1980. Primarily a banjo player for many years, Jeff
developed a rhythmic and melodic style of playing
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.
Jeff has performed individually, along with his wife,
Janet, and with several old-time string bands at
numerous fiddle festivals, public and private concerts,
public schools, and dances throughout the Carolinas,
Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, and Ohio. He has
played on multiple recordings including music from
Ireland, Scotland, the Appalachian Mountains, and
American folk tunes
Nina Zanetti is the 2008 National Mountain
Dulcimer Champion. She comes to the mountain
dulcimer from a diverse musical background,
including choral music, violin, viola, piano, and
shape note singing. Nina plays regularly at
churches, historic sites, and community events and
has taught and performed at dulcimer festivals
throughout the country, including Western
Carolina University, Arkansas Dulcicmer Jamboree,
Dulcimerville, Colorado Dulcimer Festival and
Kentucky Music Week.
Jody Marshall is a native of the Washington, D.C.
area, grew up in a musical family. Enchanted by the
sound and visual appeal of the hammered
dulcimer, she developed a passion for the
instrument. She has been performing and teaching
dulcimer since 1988 and was a founding member
of the popular folk trio, Ironweed. Jody currently
performs with the award-winning Celtic bands,
MoonFire and Connemara. Her debut solo album,
"Cottage in the Glen," was released by the Maggie's
Music label in Spring 2005.
2014 MOUNTAIN DULCIMER FESTIVAL at SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
Friday, May 16th, Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th
CHECK-IN TIME: 11:30 AM – HENKEL HALL
COST: $129 per person
For more information for rooms and schedule please, call 540-665-5442
jmille3@su.edu | www.su.edu/academics