Dulcimer Celebration Concert

Anne Lough an internationally known traditional musician who performs and teaches at schools, workshops, and festivals throughout the country. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Murray State University (KY) and a Master of Music Education from Western Carolina University (NC). She is well known for her artistic and sensitive style of playing, and her skill as an instructor. In addition to many recordings, Anne has published several dulcimer arrangements, including Old-time Hymns & Gospel Favorites for Mountain Dulcimer, through Mel Bay. 

Sam Rizzetta is a musician and instrument maker whose many design innovations have helped to define the contemporary hammered dulcimer. The tone of Sam’s dulcimers and his heartfelt and ornamented playing style have been called resonantly sensual magic, and awe inspiring. His performance credits include The Kennedy Center and The National Cathedral, as well as TV and radio appearances. Rizzetta recordings include 15 CDs featuring dulcimers, and there are four book collections of his original compositions.

Madeline MacNeil is a best-selling author of mountain and hammered dulcimer books for Mel Bay Publications, and from 1978 through 2006 she was the publisher of Dulcimer Players News, a quarterly publication devoted to both hammered and mountain dulcimers. She has performed in schools for students from elementary through high school and often invited them to play a little on her dulcimers. The Barns At Wolf Trap has presented her in concert, as have arts centers, churches and universities throughout the United States. Across the Atlantic, she has performed at the O Carolan Festival in Keadue, County Roscommon, Ireland; the Glasgow Festival of the Arts in Scotland; and for the Nonsuch Dulcimer Gathering in East Norton, Leicestershire, England. 

Janita Baker has been playing mountain dulcimer for over 40 years; through her recordings, books and appearances at festivals and workshops across the United States she has become well-known for her teaching skills and Blue Lion Dulcimers, which she builds with her husband Robert. As a solo performer on the mountain dulcimer, Janita presents her audiences with a wide range of musical experiences including classical, traditional, delta and country blues, ragtime, swing and original instrumental pieces. A gifted story teller, Janita delights her listeners with a warm and personal sharing of her music and introduces to her audience and her students the incredible complexity, variety and beauty of the mountain dulcimer.