Don Julin

Don Julin, author of the best selling "Mandolin For Dummies" (Wiley 2012) has developed a reputation for being one of the most eclectic mandolin players/teachers on the scene today. Based in Traverse City, Michigan, Don has been playing, teaching, and writing music with the mandolin for over 30 years.     His original compositions have been used on many network and cable television programs along with NPR's All things Considered. Recent clients include Sony Classics, HBO, VH1, MTV, NBC, Showtime, Bravo, National Geographic Explorer, Fox Sports, Hermann Miller Corp. Barmensen Labs, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, and filmmaker Michael Moore.  Don is a favorite of the students wherever he has presented mandolin workshops. A short list includes: The Mandolin Symposium, Rockygrass Academy, Elderly Instruments, Wheatland Music Camp, Dusty Strings, CMSA conventions, Weiser Fiddle Festival, Jim Richter's Mandolin Camp, Cesar Pollini Conservatory (Padova Italy), Midwest Mandolin Festival and others. He also maintains a steady schedule of private students via Skype.     As a performer, Don has toured Europe multiple times playing jazz and original compositions. He has been in a variety of regional bands ranging in style from Honky Tonk, to Reggae, to an acoustic Frank Zappa cover band. The last two years were spent living out of a van playing over 400 “maximum bluegrass” gigs from coast to coast with Billy Strings.     In the coming year, Don plans on staying closer to home and devoting much of his energy to teaching mandolin on-line, teaching at a few music camps, and playing regional gigs. To stay informed about upcoming gigs, new projects, workshops, or anything else mandolin related, sign up for Don's mailing list.