Karen Ashbrook has been involved with dulcimer since the mid 70s when she built her first one as a high school project. She had been a pioneer in the promotion of the dulcimer in the US, Japan and more recently in its revival in Belgium.
She teaches private & group lessons, workshops at festivals, and works extensively with children. She also performs in weddings, concerts, receptions and other venues.
"Karen has long been something of a heroine to me... Her style is at times traditional, then moves surprisingly at a tangent, making it more interesting in an unexpected way. And her whistle playing is excellent." — Irish Edition, Philadelphia
Nick Blanton Compact Dulcimer
The hammered dulcimer is an engaging instrument that dates back to the 14th century and spread all around the world. It is a trapezoid box played with small wooden hammers.
Watch a YouTube video of Karen demonstrating a tune at the 2010 Augusta Irish Week in Elkins, West Virginia.
