Neal Peck Memorial New Talent Stage

The festival includes an open showcase stage for musicians of dulcimer, ukulele, harp, autoharp, and other traditional instruments. Pre-registration is strongly suggested - simply review the schedule on this page and then click the SIGN UP button below to request a stage time. Once confirmed, your name and biographical info will be displayed.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR DULCIMER PLAYERS: Download information HERE


Stage Schedule as of May 1, 2024

Sat 10:00    OPEN

Sat 10:30    OPEN

Sat 11:00    Pete Cholewinski

I'm a singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist. My music is a mix of folk, country, and roots, with poetic but relatable lyrics. The songs are about the people who don’t fit in: the loners, outcasts, and rebels. I've been playing at bars and open mikes for several years, sharing original songs and covers of artists like Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, John Prine, and Sturgill Simpson.

Sat 11:30    OPEN

Sat 1:00    OPEN

Sat 1:30    OPEN

Sat 3:00    Liam Tipple

I am a singer/songwriter from Ottawa, IL. I specialize in folk classics from the 60s-80s and mix in my own original songs that take inspiration from those sources!

Sat 3:30    Ambassadors Ensemble

We are 6 of the 100+ members of the virtual First National Dulcimer Orchestra who find ourselves attending Gebhard Woods - 5 from Illinois, and 1 from Tennessee. We'd like to give a taste of what ensemble playing is like, and a sampling of pieces that will be performed this year by FNDO at week-long festivals such as Kentucky Music Week later in June and Black Mountain Music Festival in October. FNDO rehearses every Tuesday evening via Zoom, and performs in-person when the conductors and large numbers of members are attending festivals.

Sun 10:00    OPEN

Sun 10:30    Christopher Mortika

Chris performs at renaissance festivals and sf conventions in north central states.

Sun 11:00    OPEN

Sun 11:30    OPEN

Sun 1:00    OPEN

Sun 1:30    OPEN

Sun 3:00    Donna Sisk

I enjoy playing solo arrangements on the mountain dulcimer and would love to share some familiar tunes and a few original pieces. Gebhard Woods was the first festival I ever attended when I didn't even know exactly what a mountain dulcimer was, and a beautiful world of silvery music and lovely people opened up in my life.

Sun 3:30    OPEN