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 June 6, 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 12:00    Closed for jam

Sat 12:30    Closed for jam

Sat 1:00    Judi Thode

I began playing about 13 years ago. After a slow start I found my current instructor, Katie Moritz and have expanded my musical abilities and horizon.

Sat 1:30    OPEN

Sat 2:00    Closed for jam

Sat 2:30    Closed for jam

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.

Sat 4:00    Closed for jam

Sat 4:30    Closed for jam

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 12:00    Closed for jam

Sun 12:30    Closed for jam

Sun 1:00    Jim Bond-Harris

Jim is an active percussionist and timpanist, and added hammered dulcimer to his repertoire about ten years ago. His interest in repertoire tends to the eclectic, seeking to develop technique and arrangements that emphasize the expressive possibilities of the instrument. He performs most frequently at an open mic in Downers Grove.

Sun 1:30    OPEN

Sun 2:00    Closed for jam

Sun 2:30    Closed for jam

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

Sun 4:00    Closed for jam

Sun 4:30    Closed for jam