Meet The Dulcimers of Dunlore

The Dulcimers of Dunlore is a group of five women hammered dulcimer players who combine melody, harmony, counterpoint, and bass to create a wondrous sound. They perform throughout Southern California at music festivals, street fairs, museums and community events. Their music has been featured on the classical FM station KCSN Arts and Roots Radio. They performed at the Los Angeles Music Center's 2007 Holiday Celebration, which was broadcast on PBS to an estimated one million viewers.

This local Los Angeles based group's members include Laurie Birkemeier, Janet Lewis, Carol Burrill, Jennie Goins, and Marcia Tyra.

The hammered dulcimer is an instrument of settlers. It was brought to this country during colonial times from England and Ireland. After independence, the instrument moved West with the pioneers. It was a perfect instrument because of its simple design and protability. Out West it took the place of a piano and was popular for rural square dance music, community entertainment, and family music making. However, as railroads began to crisscross the country, it became possible to ship pianos to the West. And as pianos became usual household instruments, the hammered dulcimer gradually began to disappear. Today, it is largely a rare and unique musical instrument in the United States.