The Pocono Dulcimer Club (PDC) was founded in 1996 by Bob Mallalieu & Norm Williams with a "kick-off workshop by songwriter and Mountain Dulcimer Player Heidi Muller - http://www.heidimuller.com/.  The goal of the PDC is to promote the teaching, playing and performing of the Appalachian mountain dulcimer and the hammered dulcimer.  The PDC meets monthly in the East Monroe County Library in Stroudsburg, PA (an ADA accessible facility) and the meetings are free and open to any and all who desire to learn or listen.  All levels of players are welcome, and the PDC makes a special point of encouraging and advising newcomers and beginners.  The PDC has about 70 members, and regularly attracts about 15 to 20 people to each of its meetings. 

 

In addition to the regular meetings, the PDC sponsors two or three “jams” each year.  These are free all day events held at various members’ homes or at area churches, and are open to all members of the club and other musical friends and family members.  The day is spent in music, song and fellowship and includes a potluck supper.

 

On January 25, 2003, the PDC sponsored its first Winter Dulcimer Fest at the Zion United Church of Christ in Stroudsburg.  The event was headlined by Heidi Muller, Heidi & John Cerrigone and A.J. Bashore.  The program was extremely successful: we had hoped for thirty-five workshop participants and had over fifty, and the evening concert filled the church sanctuary to capacity.

 

The PDC held its second Dulcimer Fest in January 2004 at the Stroudsburg United Methodist Church. Thanks to a grant from Monroe County Arts Council, we were able to engage nationally known artists Tull Glazener and Walt Michael to lead workshops and perform in the evening concert.

 

The PDC held it's 3rd Annual Winter Dulcimer Fest day of  dulcimer workshops and evening concert.  We were priviledged to have Ken Kolodner on the hammer dulcimer and Steven Seifert on the mountain dulcimer, nationally recognized musicians who shared the knowledge and expertise of their instruments with dulcimer players and students.  Due to the ONLY Blizzard of 2005 the workshop schedule was compressed, but all of the workshops were held.  Due to the severity of the storm the day was shortened but those who came were rewarded with a wonderful performance by Ken & Steve.  In spite of the snow we had 40 workshop participants and it was truly a great WINTER Dulcimer Fest!

 

The fourth annual Winter Dulcimer Fest was held at the Wesleyan Church January 2006.  Our featured preformers were Aubrey Atwater (Mountain Dulcimer) and Rick Thum (Hammered Dulcimer).  They are awesome performers and we were all treated to some terrific music.  Aubrey also showed us her versatility with her banjo playing and clogging abilities.

 

The FIFTH ANNUAL PDC Winter Dulcimer Fest was held January 2007 at the Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church in Stroudsburg featuring mountain dulcimer master Don Pedi and “No Strings Attached,” an eclectic old-time quartet that includes two hammer dulcimer players.  We had a marvelous day.

 

This past year's 6th Anual, 2008 Winter Dulcimer Fest featured Hammered Dulcimer virtuoso Dan Landrum and Mountain Dulcimer performers Thomasina & Rob Brereton. This year we had 88 participants and an awesome turnout (162) to the Saturday evening concert.

 

On January 16 & 17, 2009 we are holding our 7th Annual Winter Dulcimer Fest featuring the return of Stephen Seifert & Ken Kolodner (the "Blizzard Brothers").  Please check the Festival Page for updated inforation on registration, workshop schedules and faculty.