About

Who we are:

~ The Pocono Dulcimer Club (PDC) was founded in 1996 by Bob Mallalieu & Norm Williams (to the right) with a “kick-off” workshop by songwriter and Mountain Dulcimer Player Heidi Muller.

The goal of the PDC is to promote the teaching, playing and performing of the Appalachian mountain dulcimer and the Hammered dulcimer.  The PDC meets monthly in Stroudsburg, PA and the meetings are free and open to any and all who desire to learn or listen.  All levels of players are welcome, and the PDC makes a special point of encouraging and advising newcomers and beginners. 

In addition to the regular meetings, the PDC sponsors occasional “jams” during the year.  These are free, all day events held at various members’ homes or at area churches, and are open to all members of the club and other musical friends and family members.  The day is spent in music, song and fellowship and includes a potluck supper. We also play at various functions and events throughout the NE PA region in various groups and formats.

On January 25, 2003, the PDC sponsored its first Winter Dulcimer Fest at the Zion United Church of Christ in Stroudsburg.  The event was headlined by Heidi Muller, Heidi & John Cerrigone and A.J. Bashore.  The program was extremely successful: we had hoped for thirty-five workshop participants and had over fifty… and the evening concert filled the church sanctuary to capacity.

We have continued to host successful festivals since featuring nationally known artists.  This has been made possible, in part by grants we have received from the Pocono Arts Council.  Artists who have been featured include: Tull Glazener and Walt Michael – 2004.  Ken Kolodner and Steven Seifert – 2005 & 2009.  Aubrey Atwater and Rick Thum – 2006.  Don Pedi and “No Strings Attached,” – 2007.  Dan Landrum, Thomasina & Rob Brereton – 2008. Bing Futch & Christie Burns – 2010.  Lorraine & Bennett Hammond & Guy George – 2011.  Jody Marshall & Karen Mueller in 2012. Dan Duggan& Gary Gallier in 2013. Aaron O’Rourke & Dan Landrum in 2014. Andy Young & Stephen Seifert in 2015. Lois Hornbostel & Ehukai Teves (MD) and Karen Ashbrook & Paul Oorts in 2016. Atwater-Donnelly (MD) and Rick Thum (HD) in 2017. Nina Zanetti (MD) and Ruth & Steve Smith (HD) in 2018, Bing Futch & Jody Marshall in 2019. The 2020 festival was cancelled due to COVID-19.

 In 2021 (April 22 – 25) we held our 18th Annual, & 1st ever, Pocono Virtual Dulcimer Festival … We did not have featured performers but offered many more workshops from teachers across the nation than we could with the limitations of a “live” festival. After a 2-year hiatus we returned to a LIVE Festival featuring Rob Brereton & the Dulcimer Boys.

We had a meeting of the “brain trust” in August (‘24) and after a lengthy discussion involving multiple factors, we determined that going forward we will no longer host a Full Festival but would instead offer one-day “Mini-Festivals” featuring nationally recognized Instructors at various locations in NE Pennsylvania. This was a difficult decision for us and one that held some sadness but we believed it to be the right decision for us. On April 26, 2025, we hosted our inaugural Mini-Festival at the Church of the Mountain in Delaware Water Gap, PA, inviting Mountain Dulcimer players to spend “A Day With" - Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnellly! It was a tremendous success! This year, on April 25, 2026, we welcome two of our favorite teacher performers, Bill Collins and Mary Lynn Michal, who will be teaching workshops for the Mountain Dulcimer and Hammered Dulcimer, respectively. The day of workshops will conclude with late afternoon concerts by Bill and Mary Lynn. We will once again, hold the Mini-Festival at the Church of the Mountain in Delaware Water Gap, PA. Please visit the Pocono Dulicimer Club Mini-Festival Page for more information!