Thanks so much for being part of our 10th Annual Berkeley Dulcimer Gathering, the 3rd online! From all accounts everyone had a great time. Your participation was vital to our virtual festival’s success!
The change in our nearly-post-pandemic culture created an environment where each online dulcimer event is now competing with EVERYTHING we haven’t been able to enjoy for over 2 years. Many previous attendees were kind enough to write and let me know that they’d be there but they finally get to see family in another state, or their child’s graduation will be in person that weekend, or fill-in-the-blank. I was touched to see all their notes, happy we were there during the times when they missed their family and so much else!

The first thing I understood about going online was that we were able to serve many more people who couldn’t travel for so many reasons. Being of service is very important to me, and to most music teachers I know. 2020 brought a learning curve that will serve all of us for many years to come. The dulcimer community stepped up and supported the professionals who had lost their income from traveling the festival circuit! It has been a beautiful thing to witness and participate in, as a teacher & event producer.

One thing is clear: virtual events are not going away, even as the world opens up further and further and, we hope, in better health.
With a heart full of gratitude, I have two announcements . . .

AFTER 10 YEARS, BERKELEY DULCIMER GATHERING IS TAKING A HIATUS IN 2023.
AND
A NEW MOON IS RISING!

The Berkeley Dulcimer Gathering team is undertaking a new virtual dulcimer festival:
DULCIMOON – WOMAN LED – ALL WELCOME!
January 13-15, 2023 online via Zoom

Dulcimoon is a woman-led virtual dulcimer festival where all are welcome. We are shining a light on the women of the dulcimer community – as musicians, as teachers, as event producers. Dulcimoon strives to create a community culture fostering collective exploration & personal expression, encouraging possibilities in a supportive & cooperative learning environment, with leaders who allow for play.

Teachers include:
Mountain Dulcimer: Karen Mueller, Judy House, Erin Mae Lewis, Sarah Kate Morgan, DJ Hamouris
Hammer Dulcimer: Tina Bergmann, Karen Alley

Dulcimoon is *designed* as a virtual event and based on the Berkeley Dulcimer Gathering’s successful model: two days of quality education, community engagement, and longer concert sets to hear our talented teaching artists. We’re adding kids’ events each day, too!
Please check out our website and sign up to get on the mail list at: https://dulcimoon.com/

And our fundraising site for this new event, here: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTUyMjg4

Thanks again for coming out for the 10th Berkeley Dulcimer Gathering and let’s keep coming together, both online and in person, to make great music!

All the best,

DJ Hamouris
Executive Producer, Berkeley Dulcimer Gathering/Dulcimoon