Dulcimer Retreat 2026
November 5-7, 2026
Welcome to the Augusta Dulcimer Retreat 2026! Join Mary Lynn Michal, Hunter Walker, David Haas and Mary-Grace Autumn for an unforgettable musical weekend celebrating the mountain and hammered dulcimer. With Blackwater Falls State Park as the backdrop, there couldn’t be a more picturesque landscape to accompany the music. Study with masters of various dulcimer styles in an intimate and personal setting, plus enjoy inclusive jams and a beautiful concert. Events begin at 7 pm on Thursday, November 5, and culminate at noon on Sunday, November 8.
What students are saying about the Augusta Dulcimer Retreat:
- “I loved that the retreat focused on the hammer and mountain dulcimers. The group was small enough that we were able to meet and get to know each other and the instructors…”
- “The jams were so fun and we got to try to use what we had learned in our classes!”
- “The concerts were really fun. Great performances from excellent musicians. The cultural sessions were really good as well. I enjoyed learning about the instructor’s backgrounds, and styles. The historical dulcimer instrument presentation was also really good. Anything about the history of players, styles, instruments, etc. is always interesting.”
- “The classes I took were both challenging and helpful. We had so much fun. The teachers were wonderful and took care to try and ensure that their student’s knowledge grew and to enjoy their learning experience.”
- “The instructor responded immediately and expertly to the needs of the students when she discovered that they had needs of beginner students in an intermediate/advanced class. She was transparent, and asked the students for approval of and interest in each change of course. She achieved full buy-in by the students. Wonderfully beneficial class for all!”
Weekend Schedule
(Schedule subject to change)
Students will sign up for either Level 1 (Beginning/Intermediate) or Level 2 (Intermediate/Advanced) in either mountain dulcimer or hammered dulcimer. Students will study with both teachers of their instrument during the weekend.
Thursday:
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.: Arrival, hotel check-in, dinner on your own, Shay room open for jamming
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Augusta Check-In at the Lobby
7:00 p.m.: Orientation (Meet your instructors, learn about the classes)
8:00 – 9:30 pm: Welcome Jam with your instructors
Friday:
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Morning Session I (Level 1 Hammered Dulcimer with Mary-Grace; Level 2 Hammered Dulcimer with Mary Lynn; Level 1 Mountain Dulcimer with Dave; Level 2 Mountain Dulcimer with Hunter)
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Tea Break
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Morning Session II (Level 1 Hammered Dulcimer with Mary Lynn; Level 2 Hammered Dulcimer with Mary-Grace; Level 1 Mountain Dulcimer with Hunter; Level 2 Mountain Dulcimer with Dave)
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Lunch Break
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Mountain Dulcimer one-off workshop with Dave; Hammered Dulcimer one-off workshop with Mary-Grace
3:15 – 3:45 p.m.: Tea Break
3:45 – 5:00 p.m.: Afternoon jam session for all dulcimers
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Dinner Break
7:00 p.m.: Concert featuring the Dulcimer Instructors
After concert: Harr Center and Shay Room open for jamming
Saturday:
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Morning Session I (Level 1 Hammered Dulcimer with Mary-Grace; Level 2 Hammered Dulcimer with Mary Lynn; Level 1 Mountain Dulcimer with Dave; Level 2 Mountain Dulcimer with Hunter)
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Tea Break
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Morning Session II (Level 1 Hammered Dulcimer with Mary Lynn; Level 2 Hammered Dulcimer with Mary-Grace; Level 1 Mountain Dulcimer with Hunter; Level 2 Mountain Dulcimer with Dave)
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Lunch Break
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Mountain Dulcimer one-off workshop with Hunter; Hammered Dulcimer one-off workshop with Mary Lynn
3:15 – 3:45 p.m.: Tea Break
3:45 – 5:00 p.m.: Film Screening: West Virginia Hills: The Story of the Dulcimer in West Virginia, an Augusta Heritage Productions documentary by Gerry Milnes.
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Dinner Break
7:00 p.m.: Student showcase (Sign up to share a tune, song or bit of verse!)
After showcase: Harr Center and Shay Room open for jamming
Sunday:
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Morning Session I
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Tea Break
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Morning Session II
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Goodbyes
Dulcimer Retreat 2026: Artistic Staff
Mary Lynn Michal | Hammered Dulcimer
Mary Lynn Michal has a gift for teaching with a unique approach which combines her experience as a professional symphonic french horn player, her degrees in music education and ten years of mastering the hammered dulcimer. Having made the switch from the highly structured classical music world to a completely different style of traditional music gives Mary Lynn access to a broad range of teaching strategies.
Students are drawn to Mary Lynn for her passion for teaching, her belief in her students, and her unique style of individualizing instruction which allows students to reach their potential which is often beyond their wildest dreams.
Mary-Grace Autumn Lee | Hammered Dulcimer
Mary-Grace is an award-winning hammered dulcimer player. In August 2025, she placed 3rd at the All-Ireland Fleadh in the over 18 Miscellaneous Instrument category, which is the highest level of competition for traditional Irish music. This event was held in Wexford, Ireland. She has performed and instructed at multiple Celtic Festivals including the Nutmeg Valley Dulcimer Festival and Folk College. Her music has been featured in magazines and acclaimed music podcasts including Treoir Magazine, Fire Draw Near, Thunder on the Plains, Dulcimer Players News, and Irish Music Magazine. Mary-Grace’s additional musical endeavors include her Celtic Folk sibling band, Seasons, and her duo, Concerning Clare.
You can follow Mary-Grace on her social media and hear her music on her accounts:
Instagram: thatdulcimergirl
Website: www.marygraceautumn.
Hunter Walker | Mountain Dulcimer
Hunter Walker is one of the younger generation of musicians dedicated to playing and teaching traditional mountain music. He’s a native of Beckley, West Virginia, and is a frequent and in-demand instructor at workshops around the country. Hunter has learned from many traditional players and has performed at prestigious venues such as Theatre West Virginia, the Vandalia Gathering, and Mountain Stage.
While proficient at guitar and mandolin, he is best known for his virtuosity and innovation on the mountain dulcimer and the banjo. His skill on the dulcimer has merited him the title (four times!) West Virginia State Dulcimer Champion, Tennessee Open Grand Youth Champion, three time Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention Dulcimer Champion, Mid-Atlantic Regional Dulcimer Champion, as well as numerous other first place finishes at Fiddlers’ Conventions.
David Haas | Mountain Dulcimer
Dave Haas loves to perform and teach others how to play the mountain dulcimer! He has been playing the dulcimer since 1990, and loves to share the mountain dulcimer and its history with schools, churches, and civic organizations. He has even brought dulcimer music to those in prison! Dave is a popular dulcimer instructor, and has performed in several states and abroad. Dave also plays the guitar, sings, and leads music on Christian retreat experiences such as Kairos Prison Ministry, The Walk To Emmaus, Cursillo, and Teens Encounter Christ. Dave has released several albums, instruction/CD workbooks, and a popular dulcimer chord chart. Dave lives in Charleston, WV with his wife, Jeanne.