Education

GPDA volunteers provide informal educational programs for a variety of institutions such as public and private elementary schools, nursing and assisted care facilities, senior organizations, public services organizations, libraries, and church groups.

Most of our programs follow a similar structure. We perform some traditional/folk tunes and provide a brief history or description of our instruments and how they are played. This portion of the program varies based on the instruments that are represented on a given day. We also invite questions about the instruments or GPDA from the audience. 

Our most direct way of providing education is by conducting workshops. Workshop leaders generally provide detailed instruction on one of two areas: technical aspects of playing an instrument or learning a new tune. Most workshops are instrument specific; they concentrate on one instrument, i.e. the mountain dulcimer. GPDA offers workshops at our monthly meetings and Warm-Up Picnic. We have also hosted special intensive workshops by professional musicians passing through Wichita.

Past instructors have included: 

Chuck & Karen Daniels | Dan Delancey | Steve Eulberg | Bing Futch | Jeff Hames | Erin Mae Lewis | Tim May | Larry McDoniel | Don Pedi | Amber Rogers | Linda Thomas | Margaret Wright | and many, many more!

Our newest educational venture is the Instrument Petting Zoo. This event is the brainchild of Erin Mae Lewis. Erin, along with her sister Amber, suggested that GPDA participate in an Instrument Petting Zoo at a local library. The concept is to provide an informal setting where young people (kids) can actually touch/strum/play instruments in a somewhat controlled environment. Individual members provided their instruments, time and knowledge.