Dulcimations!

Hello, and welcome to Dulcimations!

My name is Marya Katz. I am a musician, an educator, a lover of growing things...actually, all of those pretty much go together, don't they? Although I play a variety of instruments, my main passion is the hammered dulcimer. I perform with a local folk group, Simple Gifts of the Blue Ridge; I compose and arrange music, and I have been a workshop leader for various Dulcimer Festivals along the East Coast (US). I love to play for schools, weddings, receptions, festivals, parties, and churches; I am also available to teach private lessons either in person or via Zoom. If you would like to book a performance, purchase any of my books or CDs, or schedule lessons, see my "Contact Information" link in the Table of Contents to the left.

A little bit more about me: I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Early/Middle Childhood Music (2002), but am now retired after teaching elementary public school music for 33 years. I am the director for the Adult choir at my church, the proud great-grandma of 3 boys and a girl, and loving grandma to their parents; I also share my life with a feisty chihuahua and 2 cats, and I enjoy hiking, bicycling, gardening, and the beauty of life here in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. There is music all around me here!

Finally, what is "Dulcimations" you may ask? It's everything fun about playing the hammered dulcimer, tied up into a word I created. It's the lovely tone, the excitement of learning a new tune or technique, the achingly beautiful sound the strings make when playing an Irish air, or the exuberance of hammering out an old-time fiddle tune. There is such a diverse repertoire that can be performed using this incredible instrument - so, a new word to describe it seemed to be in order. Again, welcome!