Performance and Instruction, Dulcimers & Autoharp
Enjoy traditional and contemporary Celtic, Great Lakes and Appalachian folk music from award-winning musician and singer Wanda Degen. She presents an educational and entertaining program featuring the autoharp and hammered and mountain dulcimers. Specializing in participatory family concerts, she performs for preschoolers, senior citizens and all ages in between. |  |
Wanda is an experienced and patient instructor, having taught hundreds of dulcimer students in many different settings in a career spanning 45-plus years. She taught private lessons at Elderly Instruments, an internationally renowned music store in Lansing, from 1978-2020. She now teaches privately out of her home on Lansing’s east side, 2 miles west of the MSU campus. Workshops and concerts are presented at schools and libraries around Michigan. As a teaching artist, residencies are available that can be 1-day, 2-days, 3-days, a full week, or once a week for 4, 5, or 6 weeks. Create a residency that works for you. |
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"Your workshop was the icing on the cake!" - Participant, Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering
Wanda is a favorite guest in the children's area and workshop tents at several folk festivals in Michigan, including the Wheatland Music Festival in Remus, the ODPC FunFest in Evart, and the Midland Folk Festival in Midland.
Wanda performs as a soloist and as a duo with flute & saxophone player, Dan Giacobassi. |  |
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Concerts can be based on – but not limited to - the following themes:
DULCIMER DAYS - Explore the musical sounds of 3 traditional, uncommon folk instruments with Wanda Degen. Presenting both the mountain dulcimer and the hammered dulcimer, as well as the autoharp - or chorded zither. Brief histories of the instruments and many of the songs are included with a variety drawn from Celtic, Folk, Great Lakes and Pop music styles.
HANDS-ON MOUNTAIN DULCIMER - Explore playing this simple 3 or 4 stringed instrument associated with the Appalachian Mountains. Discover how its unique fretboard makes it easy and fun to play. No experience necessary. A limited number of loaner dulcimers provided, or bring your own. Groups larger than 15 will require some to partner up and share a dulcimer. Limit of 30 participants. Best for ages 8 yrs and older.
SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY - A Folk/Pop musical stroll through the decades. From the 1800s into the 1980s. Swing songs, love songs. Easy choruses with many sing-along opportunities.
MICHIGAN IN SONG - Explore the Great Lakes State through music! A wealth of traditional and contemporary songs about logging, sailing, and farming, there's so much history and so many places to discover.
SWEET SOUNDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS - Winter seasonal songs, and Christmas songs and tunes, for the whole family to enjoy. Featuring both traditional carols and popular holiday standards with a mix of history, musical warmth, and fun. Singing along is encouraged, but not required!
MISS WANDA'S NATURE SONGS FOR KIDS! - Explore the world of many different critters and habitats with this interactive concert presenting songs that use gestures, sign language, hand puppets, and a wide variety of stringed and rhythm instruments for accompaniment. Participation encouraged thru fun echo-songs, clap-alongs, and dance-alongs. Get your wiggles out stretching and moving to the beat, to the music!