Lois Hornbostel

Lois recalls her first meeting with the mountain dulcimer on a hiking trip in the mountains in the mid-'70s: "First I was enchanted by its sound, then its appearance, next by its history." Her journey of learning and musical enrichment has been greatly enhanced by learning most of her music from musicians within old-time, Irish, Cajun and international folk music traditions. As a musician Lois's versatility and expression shine, and she has helped to introduce with authenticity several different styles of music to the mountain dulcimer's repertoire. Her playing skills have been recognized with several dulcimer championships, including those at the Galax, VA, Mount Airy, NC, and Fiddlers Grove, NC fiddlers conventions, and being named an honorary Kentucky Colonel for her work with the mountain dulcimer. Lois's first recording, "Vive le Dulcimer," featured international folk music played on the mountain dulcimer, and was a finalist for an "Indie" Award in the World Music category. Her more recent instrumental recordings, "Dulcimer Enchantment" and "Dulcimer Jubilee" dynamically present the versatile sounds of the mountain dulcimer. She was chosen for the recordings "Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer, Volume I" and the new "Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer Play Music for Christmas," and in live performance on "Dulcimer Celebrations". Lois has authored six books containing mountain dulcimer playing instruction and repertoire for the mountain dulcimer. They have been published internationally by Mel Bay Publications and Backyard Music. In 2003 Mel Bay Publications appointed Lois editor of their on-line "webzine," www.DulcimerSessions.com. A natural and inventive teacher, Lois fills her dulcimer playing classes with good sense, encouragement, enthusiasm and organization. Since 1987 Lois has organized mountain dulcimer weeks at the university level, first for 13 years directing the Appalachian State University Dulcimer Playing Workshop, then founding and directing the Western Carolina University Mountain Dulcimer Workshop for 10 years. Concurrently for 17 years, Lois was the Program Coordinator for the Swannanoa Gathering's Dulcimer Week. All this experience led to Lois's founding and independent production of Dulcimerville in 2010. Children are enchanted with the mountain dulcimer, and since 1984 Miss Lois has taught over 19,000 of them to play mountain dulcimers in her arts-in-schools residencies. Awards: . Galax Old-Time Fiddlers Convention – Champion Dulcimer Player . Fiddlers Grove Old-Time Fiddlers Convention – Champion Dulcimer Player . Dublin/Pulaski Old-Time Fiddlers Convention – Champion Dulcimer Player . Mt. Airy Fiddlers Convention – Champion Dulcimer Player . Kentucky Colonel Award was presented to Lois for her work with the mountain dulcimer. . Lois's album "Vive le Dulcimer!" was a finalist for an "Indie" award in the "World Music" category - National Association of Independent Record Distributors.