West Virginia has long-standing traditions of both hammered and lap dulcimer that go back to early settlement days. Today, the music of these instruments is evolving to include many genres and styles of playing. Augusta’s Spring Augusta Week offers numerous levels on both mountain and hammered dulcimer, as well as a class for autoharp. Spring Augusta Week coordinator, Maddie MacNeil has assembled a stellar staff of many of today’s finest players and teachers. 2010 courses scheduled include: Autoharp (John Hollandsworth), Hammered Dulcimer (Jody Marshall, Christie Burns, and Sam Rizzetta), Mountain Dulcimer (Molly McCormack, Janita Baker, and Rob Brereton), Guitar (John Rossbach), as well as a class in Mountain Dulcimer Construction (John Huron).

Classes are limited in size to allow plenty of personal attention. Daily group sessions will highlight the talents of the dulcimer week staff. There will be regular evening jam sessions, slow jam sessions, films, song swaps, dances, a public concert, and end of the week skits and performances by the student classes.

Hammered dulcimers  and autoharps may be rented for the week.  Please call the Augusta office to reserve these.  Loaner mountain dulcimers are also available.

Exploritas Students please note:  Augusta's Spring Augusta Week description in both the new Exploritas catalog (fka "Elderhostel") and on the exploritas.org website, is incomplete. There are actually two options:  either beginning mountain dulcimer or beginning hammered dulcimer. (Exploritas students must register at exploritas.org).