Mountain Dulcimer Clinics & Workshops with Dave Kerwood
Expand what you can do with the mountain dulcimer
The mountain dulcimer is far more than a traditional folk instrument. It is a versatile melodic instrument capable of expressing everything from Appalachian ballads to modern rock, pop, classical, and original music.
Dave Kerwood brings a unique perspective to mountain dulcimer instruction as a professional music educator, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and competitive performer. With a background in music education and years of experience performing across a variety of instruments and styles, Dave helps players move beyond simply learning songs and discover how to become more creative, confident musicians.
Whether you are a beginning player learning your first melodies or an experienced musician looking to expand your technique, Dave’s workshops combine practical instruction, musical insight, and a spirit of exploration.
Workshop Topics
Arranging Modern Music for Mountain Dulcimer
Learn how to take songs that were never written for dulcimer and transform them into compelling arrangements. This workshop explores melody selection, chord choices, accompaniment patterns, adapting guitar/piano arrangements, and creating arrangements that fit the unique voice of the instrument.
Playing by Ear: From Listening to Performing
Develop the skills to learn songs without relying on tab. This workshop covers finding melodies, identifying chord progressions, recognizing patterns, and building confidence in your musical instincts.
Beyond the Basics: Technique and Expression
Move beyond simply playing the notes. Explore techniques for improving tone, rhythm, dynamics, ornamentation, and musical expression to make your playing more engaging and personal.
Improvisation on Mountain Dulcimer
Learn how to break away from memorized arrangements and create music in the moment. Topics include scales, modes, melodic variation, call-and-response, and developing your own musical voice.
Mountain Dulcimer and Music Theory
Designed for musicians who want to understand the “why” behind the music. Explore keys, chords, scales, harmony, and how music theory can make arranging and learning easier.
Transcription Lab: Turning Recordings into Arrangements
Bring your favorite songs and learn a process for creating your own dulcimer arrangements. This hands-on workshop explores listening, analyzing, adapting, and refining a piece until it becomes your own.
Hymns, Stories, and Musical Connection
Explore the tradition of using music to tell stories. This workshop combines arrangement ideas, performance techniques, and ways to create meaningful connections with audiences.
About Dave
Dave Kerwood is a Kansas-based musician, educator, and mountain dulcimer performer known for bringing unexpected repertoire and fresh musical ideas to the instrument. A multi-year finalist in the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival, Dave combines traditional dulcimer approaches with influences from rock, pop, classical, folk, and contemporary music.
Dave holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wichita State University and a Master of Music degree from Kansas State University. His experience as a classroom teacher, private instructor, performer, and arranger allows him to connect with musicians of all backgrounds and skill levels.
Available For
- Dulcimer festivals and gatherings
- Music camps and retreats
- Folk music events
- Community workshops
- School and educational programs
- Private group clinics
- Church and community music events
Workshops can be customized for beginner, intermediate, or advanced players and can be presented as individual sessions, multi-day intensives, or themed workshop series.