Bonnie Carol

THINKING OF STUDYING? HERE'S WHAT TO DO:

If you live in Colorado, call (303) 258-7763 or E-mail to arrange lessons. If you're in other parts of the country, check the performance schedule to see where the tours are going and . . . then get in touch to arrange concerts, workshops or individual lessons in your area.

WHAT CAN YOU STUDY?

IN INDIVIDUAL LESSONS ON HAMMERED DULCIMER, FRETTED DULCIMER, AND BODHRAN
Hammered and fretted dulcimers, and bodhrán from beginning to advanced students in the Boulder and Nederland, Colorado, area. Lots of topics and approaches - see list.

IN DULCIMER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
String Band, Celtic, Latin American Music and Folk Music ensemble; Jamming for dulcimers with other instruments; Performance skills; Arranging for ensemble. Classes are in Boulder and Nederland,
Colorado, at festivals, music stores, schools, and music camps from two hours to a week (indoors and out)

IN AFRICAN MARIMBA ENSEMBLE
Learn polyrhythmic African music from Zimbabwe in a weekly ensemble setting at Bonnie's Nederland, Colorado, studio. To learn more about this music click this link.

TOPICS YOU CAN STUDY
  • Celtic, Old Time, Folk, Acoustic, and Contemporary Styles and Repertoires
  • Rounds
  • Backup styles
  • Playing in a jam
  • Performance skills
  • Getting from knowing the song to playing it with musicality - embellishments, arranging, emotions, style and pizzazz
  • Organizing a band - business as well as musical considerations
  • Ensemble arranging
  • Reading music or tablature
  • Celtic dance rhythms
  • Celtic airs and songs
  • Singing with dulcimers
  • Fingerpicking, strumming and other right hand techniques for fretted dulcimer
  • Singing and playing harmony
  • Music theory as relevant to folk music and dulcimers
  • Basic musicianship - reading music, rhythm study, ear training, musical literacy
  • Tunings, keys and modes for fretted dulcimer
  • Capos on the fretted dulcimer
  • Latin American Music

Students are encouraged to suggest topics and pieces of music in which they are interested as well.

 

THE DULCIMER ORCHESTRA
The Dulcimer Orchestra is a group of hammered and mountain dulcimer players along with assorted other instruments (at varioius times - guitar, bodhrán, penny whistle) who perform folk music, Irish, Scottish, and American traditional music. We have appeared for several years at the Colorado Scottish Festival in Denver, a couple of years at the Swallow Hill Folk Festival, and several years at Performance Park in Estes Park. Members of the group are all Bonnie's students, and we welcome more members / students, as well as new performing opportunities. Sometimes the potlucks are as spectacular as the music, and fun is a big part of our get togethers, as well as learning how to play in a group setting.

“I’m so glad that the Dulcimer Orchestra could play at the Scottish Festival again this year. I enjoyed hearing you and I saw the crowd enjoying it as well. Thanks for all  the work and time you put in to make this possible - I know the students must  love you, as I do too.” Loretta Thompson for the Colorado Scottish Festival.

Bonnie Carol
Bonnie Carol

 

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT BONNIE CAROL, TEACHER

" In her Classes and Workshops Bonnie can turn a dulcimer into a magical ally in the hands of the newest beginner or most seasoned musician." Jim Schwartzkopff, Venture West Artist Management, Denver, Colorado .

"The Ozark Folk Center frequently has workshops in the various crafts and instruments, and the dulcimer workshop conducted this year by Bonnie Carol was by far the most outstanding. All comments received from workshop attendees were excellent." Ozark Folk Center, Mountain View, Arkansas.

"Bonnie Carol is a dulcimer pioneer. She brings to the workshop a perspective and knowledge of the developments of the instrument from the past 40 years. For her classes, Bonnie draws from versatile talents and wide experience. She has been building some of the country's best dulcimers since the early '70s, and was one of the key people in the groundbreaking "Pacific Rim Dulcimer Project" recording and book. Since then she has recorded four more albums of her own, written several books, and played on several dozen studio recordings by other artists. Expert on hammered dulcimer, marimba, and percussion instruments as well as fretted dulcimer, Bonnie has used her talents in bands playing contradance, old-time, Celtic, African, and Latin American music." Lois Hornbostel, Bryson City, North Carolina.

"Bonnie is a wonderful, relaxing, encouraging, and excellent teacher. She had a nice mix of practice and performance tips, interesting music, clear handouts, and engaging teaching style. . . . I was honored to be in her class." - from students of Bonnie’s 2001 Swannanoa Gathering Class, Asheville, North Carolina.

"I just wanted to send a note to tell you how much I appreciated your research into so many different types of music. Your classes on Latin American and Celtic music were awesome. I have used that information many times already. It was fun meeting someone I’ve have read about for 20 years. I can’t remember when I’ve been more musically inspired." Dee Dee Tibbits, Michigan.

"You have made my "lifelong" dream of being a dulcimer player come true!" Shirley Neely-Turpin, Glen Haven, Colorado.

"I know that new synapses have sprouted all over my brain - thanks to your excellent teaching! Someone asked how I liked you as a teacher. Before I had a chance to begin to sing your praises, she told me how impressed she was with you - very patient, exceedingly helpful and full of praise and enthusiasm. I couldn't have put it better myself!" Penny Bauer, Fort Collins, Colorado
.

"Thanks for making the jam workshop so safe....you probably saw a look of terror on my face, but it was fun to lead off when I realized no one else knew much more than me. And you made everyone's contribution special. Great teaching! " Renna Ulvang, San Francisco, California.

"Your class was great. I like the way you teach technique in ways that are immediately accessible and fit with interesting tunes. The cultural background also brings home what a huge and diverse world we inhabit." Connie Allen, San Diego, California.



Study Dulcimer, Bodhrán, African Marimba
Books and Recordings for Sale
Custom Dulcimers for Sale
Moons and Tunes Wilderness River Trips
Join E-mail List
Contact Us

• Schedule 2013
African Marimba Ensembles, Classes & Books
The Dulcimer Orchestra
Performance Bookings
Bio: A Brief History of Bonnie
Short Bio, Promo Photos for Download
Botswana Stories and Photos

 

©Bonnie Carol 2009 * Bonnie@BonnieCarol.com * www.BonnieCarol.com *15 Sherwood Road * Nederland, Colorado 80466 * 303.258.7763