About Us
Ben watched his Dad play dulcimer in South Carolina as he was growing up. But he didn't really start playing himself until the summer of 2006, when he came to the Evart Dulcimer Festival with his Michigan family -- Aunt Lynne Ellen and cousins Kelly and Greg. He had learned one main song -- an amazing version of Dancing Bear, as played by his Dad. But by the end of a week at Evart, he had learned dozens more, and had gained instinctive feel for how to play. In 2007, Ben graduated from high school and moved to Michigan to attend college. After another visit to Evart, his skills became truly remarkable.... and he began playing with his Michigan family at our gigs. It was a fantastic combination.
Ben grew up playing the bassoon in orchestras, and now plays a mean saxophone in addition to his hammered dulcimer. He is studying computer science, but we get him to jam with us on quite a few weeknights. We're hoping we can keep him playing the dulcimer with us for a very long time! Ben was the 2009 Fiddler's Grove Hammered Dulcimer Champion as well!
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