Ilace Mears
Once upon a time, Ilace Mears only played violin and piano and was sadly unaware of the dulcimer world. In 2006, she bought a hammered dulcimer – and her life took a decidedly different trajectory. This Louisiana native has a mantel-full of trophies, including the National Hammered Dulcimer Champion one from 2016. Her performances and instruction have earned excellent reviews from the Great Lakes to the Gulf South and Virginia to California. She proudly plays a Rick Thum Professional 17/17 dulcimer, appreciative of the clarity and consistency of tone as well as the dynamic range.
A move from Tennessee to Southwest Missouri in 2011 spurred a whole new level of musical opportunity. One of the joys was recording three studio albums benefitting from the expertise of David Wilson and Gary Gallier. Peace Like a River (2015) is in its second printing; Tidings of Peace, Comfort, and Joy (2017) comprises favorite Christmas tunes. Flights of Fancy (2020) is a slightly more eclectic mix. All are available from http://ilacemears.com. Ilace and David have been performing together ever since, multiplying the instruments and the musicality. It still makes her giggle to say it, but since being interviewed by PlayBranson.com in 2021, Ilace has decided that she is now a bona fide Branson entertainer, even if only two days a week for exotic insects and domestic humans at The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure.
After a career in Early Childhood Education and lots of musical adventures, Ilace enjoys living in the Ozarks, music festivals, travelling (to and from music festivals), the people she’s met (at music festivals), some people she’s met at other places (or is related to), and her cat Bob.
