hammered dulcimer, wooden flute, pennywhistle
picture here Prices are as of December, 2007. Call me to schedule at 301/592-0101.

Hammered dulcimer 
Private lessons $50/50 minutes. All levels. I do not teach on weekends (except for out of town folks visiting the area.) For children I also offer $35/30 minute lesson. I have rental dulcimers available for students taking weekly lessons from me.

Internet Lessons
I offer lessons via Skype and gmail video chat. Cost: $60/one hour. If you are interested in exploring this idea, we will arrange a time to video chat first to make sure the connection will be satisfactory. Call or email me to set up.

Group Classes For Hammered Dulcimer.
I give monthly group classes geared to advanced beginner-intermediate players focusing on chords and chordal accompaniment at my house in Silver Spring, MD. Classes cost $30 each or 2 (on the same day) for $50. The classes have an optional vegetarian, potluck luncheon in-between sessions that all participants are welcome to join. Music is sent out in advance. For those who haven't taken my home group accompaniment sessions before, we typically spend the first hour of class on chord drills and patterns and the second hour walking through the specific accompaniment and all the separate phrases and riffs. Email Karen at mail@karenashbrook.com for questions/ registration.

SUMMER 2010 GROUP CLASS SCHEDULE:

6/12 SAT. Bonnie at Morn Waltz Accompaniment and Arranging (advanced beginner/intermediate). This is a classic, heartbreaking Robert Burns lullaby in B minor, although the harmonies are basically the same as the Dorian mode- so we will primarily be using Bm,A, F#m and Gs to harmonize.
9:30-11:30 a.m. will be the Chordal Accompaniment Session. 12:45-2:15 p.m. will be the session on Arranging the tune (after you are well practiced on all the arpeggios!)

8/21 SAT. Metsakukkia Waltz Accompaniment and Arranging (intermediate/advanced). This is a Finnish waltz in A Harmonic Minor.
9:30-11:30 a.m. will be the Chordal Accompaniment Session. 12:45-2:15 p.m. will be the session on Arranging the tune (after you are well practiced on all the arpeggios!)

Classes are $30 each or $50 if you sign up for both on the same day. RE: Cancellations. If you must cancel (with reasonable lead time), you can apply the money towards a private lesson.

Irish Pennywhistle for children ages 8 and up, private lessons $25/30 minutes.

Booklet of Irish session music with simple chords available by clicking here to download.

Sligo Creek Hedge School - an Irish music and arts camp for children. Camp includes pennywhistle and bodhran (Irish drum) instruction, writing and art projects, as well as building traditional music repertoire. Sessions for children ages 6-18. Call for details.

Workshops
Karen also teaches at various workshops and festivals.