Dusty Thorburn | Mountain Dulcimer

Lesson Details

• Days: Online
• Ages: 5+
• Skill Levels: All Levels

About Dusty

A long-time guitarist and occasional mandolin player, Dusty Thorburn discovered the mountain dulcimer several years ago and has been captivated by its elegant simplicity and rich, resonant sound ever since. His passion for the instrument led him to found River City Dulcimers, a Sacramento-based music group that meets monthly, fostering a community of dulcimer enthusiasts.

Dusty is an active educator and performer, regularly teaching workshops at the Berkeley Dulcimer Gathering, Redwood Dulcimer Day, and other music events across Northern California. His performances have included venues such as Petaluma’s Art in the Park Festival and Old Sacramento’s Gold Rush Days.

As an advocate for dulcimer education, Dusty serves as a Moderator at Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer, a popular online resource for dulcimer players worldwide. In 2019, he published his first book, Lullabies from Around the World Arranged for the Beginning Mountain Dulcimer, and is currently completing a second collection of melodies from the British Isles dating from 1500 to 1800, arranged for intermediate players.

With a deep respect for traditional folk, Celtic, blues, country, and pop influences, Dusty blends historical roots with a modern, blues-influenced sensibility in his compositions, arrangements, and lessons. His engaging teaching style makes learning the dulcimer both accessible and inspiring for students of all ages.