Neal Hellman

Neal Hellman, nationally acclaimed performer and teacher of the mountain dulcimer, has been active in performing, writing, teaching, and recording acoustic music for the past 25 years throughout the United States, Europe and New Zealand.Neal’s latest recording, Emma’s Waltz, is a colorful dance through traditional and contemporary acoustic music styles. Featuring seventeen different musicians playing compositions from Ireland, Scotland, Finland, America and France.Neal's other recordings include: Autumn In the Valley, Dream of the Manatee (with Joe Weed) and Oktober County , all on the Gourd Music label. Dirty Linen wrote of Oktober County “the material is first-rate and the musicianship is flawless;” and the Santa Cruz Sentinel said Dream of the Manatee is “just plain beautiful music. The San Jose Mercury wrote “Autumn In the Valley is well-played and impeccable engineered.”He is the author of many books on the Appalachian dulcimer, including: Celtic Songs & Slow Airs for Mountain Dulcimer, The Dulcimer Chord Book, The Hal Leonard Dulcimer Method, Beatles Dulcimer Book, and The Music of the Shakers For Mountain Dulcimer.As a teacher, Neal is regularly paid the greatest compliment possible: his festival workshops are invariably crowded with students, old and new, who appreciate his clear instructional style, varied and original repertoire, and enthusiasm for his instrument.