(Photograph courtesy of Maureen McTeague, and used with permission.)
Joellen Lapidus is engaged in a labor of love.
True, she is a professional (classically-trained) musician. A songwriter, she composes and performs music for, and teaches, the dulcimer. She has also written a step-by-step guide to learning the instrument.
But her interest goes far beyond that–to actually building custom dulcimers.
Joellen has now been crafting dulcimers since the 1970’s, and has pioneered a number of techniques. An example of her custom inlay appears on her recently-finished “Pelican Dulcimer”.
Joellen creates unusual shapes and unique touches, inspired by whatever comes into her life. Her clients have included Joni Mitchell, who has bought three of her instruments.
And when Joellen performs live, her shows include, not only traditional Appalachian folk tunes, but her original music–which incorporates an upbeat urban sound and a sense of humor! She also will have adapted some Baez and Dylan classics that work beautifully with her instrument.
Joellen talked about her background, her experiences and the inspiration for one of her instruments, “The Ram”.
Joellen’s next concert is scheduled for CRAFTED, in San Pedro, on Saturday, October 19th, from 2:00 to 5:30 pm! She’ll be performing both her original music and some Appalachian folk songs with Yvette Devereaux on violin and Oliver Steinberg on upright bass, and admission’s free.