No experience is necessary to enjoy the gentle,
Tai Chi related exercises for relaxation and rejuvenation. All levels of dulcimer players are welcome.
Learn to combine the benefits from the exercises with innovative playing techniques to explore the depths of playing traditional mountain music on the dulcimer.
Limited enrollment (15) insures more individual attention as well as facilitating fellowship amongst the participants.
Concerts and Jamming with instructer Don Pedi and Special Guest artists, provide a direct link to mountain traditions going back for generations.
Don Pedi has been playing the dulcimer since 1968. He’s been practicing T’ai Chi Ch’uan and related healing and meditation arts since 1971, and teaching them since the mid 1980s. He ran the T’ai Chi Center of Asheville from 1989 – 1993. Don then taught an introduction to T’ai Chi class for the College for Seniors at UNCA in Asheville until 2007.More recently, with a busy music schedule to keep up with, he teaches T’ai Chi related exercises mostly at music camps.
Most of Don’s music was learned face to face from authentic traditional sources, both past and present.
The same is true of his healing arts.
A gifted player and teacher, Don shares his knowledge in a relaxed, friendly, and non-competitive manner, creating an atmosphere conducive to everyone learning at their own pace. The simple and effective T’ai Chi and related exercises help to reduce stress and improve balance. When we apply the these ancient principles and techniques to playing the dulcimer, the result is to improve playing skills and aid in the development of economy of motion.
The Way of Dulcimer Retreat Schedule:
Thursday
- 3:00 – 5:00pm Registration
- 5:00 – 6:30pm Orientation – Orientation We’ll start with introductions. Then wee will discuss the benefits of T’ai Chi related exercises and relaxation techniques , to the understanding and playing of music with it’s roots in the agrarian culture of our ancestors.
- 6:30 – 7:30 Supper
- 8:00 – 9:00 Dulcimer History A short video presentation of the History of the dulcimer. Followed by examples of playing styles demonstrated on antique and vintage dulcimers.
- 9:00 – Jamming
Friday
- 8:00 – 9:00am Breakfast
- 9:15 – 9:50 am T’ai Chi, etc.
- 10:00 – 12:30 Free Style Strumming & Natural Noting
- 12:30 – 1:30 pm Dinner
- 1:30 – 3:00 pm Dulcimer Tunings
- 3:00 – 6:00pm Free Time Explore the mountains, hike on Wildacres trails, shop in Little Switzerland, rest or whatever.
- 6:00 – 7:00pm Supper
- 7:30 – 8:30pm Concert
- 8:30 – 10:00pm (?) Jamming
The Friday concert will feature Don Pedi playing traditional secular and sacred songs & tunes .
Saturday
- 8:00 – 9:00am Breakfast
- 9:15 – 9:45 am T’ai Chi, etc.
- 9:45 – 11:00 am Old-Time Songs and Tunes
- 11:10 – 12:30 Traditional Songs & Ballads
- 12:30 – 1:30pm Dinner
- 1:30 – 2:50 Folk Music from Off (Music from outside the Southern Appalachians)
- 3:00 – 3:30 Rejuvination Exercises
- 3:35 – 4:50 Sacred Songs
- 5:00 – 6:00 Fun Songs
- 6:00 – 7:00pm Supper
- 7:30 – 8:30pm Concert
- 8:30 – 10:00pm (?) Jamming
Sunday
- 8:00 – 9:00am Breakfast
- 9:00 – 9:30am Check Out
- 9:30 – 11:00am Farewell Gathering
