Joellen Lapidus is one of the pioneers of contemporary fretted dulcimer playing, songwriting, and instrument building and is the author of the dulcimer instruction book "Lapidus on Dulcimer". Joellen blends Appalachian, Indian, Arabic, jazz, classical, and pop musical styles to give the dulcimer a new range of rhythmic, melodic, and tuning possibilities. As a dulcimer maker, her work influenced many of the dulcimer builders of the 70's and 80's. Her instruments were known for their innovative shapes and exquisite soundhole and peghead inlay work. She introduced the dulcimer to Joni Mitchell and made three instruments for her between 1968 and 1976. She has also made instruments for David Crosby, Jackson Browne, Wendy Waldman and Garth Hudson.
The March 2004 concert, recorded on her newly released CD, "Joellen Lapidus In Concert", marks her first performance in over 10 years.
Joellen teaches dulcimer privately in West Los Angeles and at McCabes Guitar Shop in Santa Monica. She has also returned to her original musical loves - the clarinet and the accordion. She performs with the band "Extreme Klezmer Makeover" and teaches a high energy "Klezmer Band Workshop" at McCabes Guitar Shop.
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