Sep 21
spotlight: Winfield National Hammer Dulcimer Competition Winners
L-R Sam Wachtler (2nd), Stephen Humphries (1st), Tina Gugeler (3rd)Stephen Humphries of Chapin, SC took first place in the National Hammer Dulcimer competition. He has placed third the last two years. At the urging of Mark Wade, his former instructor, Stephen decided to head back to Winfield and try for a third time. The third time was the charm for this young man. The first place trophy, $100 and a Custom Engraved Master Works Russell Cook Edition 16/16c Hammer Dulcimer by Master Works of Bennington, OK were taken back to South Carolina.
Stephen is a 22-year old college senior at Presbyterian College who has been playing the hammer dulcimer for about seven and one-half years. He also plays drums and percussion. His first hammer dulcimer was given to him by his parents after they had rented one for him to learn on.
Sam Wachtler of Colorado Springs, CO took second place in the competition. This was his second trip to the Festival. He came back because he wanted to see some friends who had been to the Festival in 2005 when he was last here and he wanted to enter the competition. Sam has played the hammer dulcimer for the past six years and also plays the mandolin, guitar and fiddle. Wachtler credits his mother for becoming interested in the hammer dulcimer because she liked the sound of the instrument. Sam is a 15-year old home schooled student who loves to play volleyball, music and airsoft. He wins the 2nd place trophy, $75 in cash and a Huddleson UL400C 10/15/15 Fully Chromatic Hammer Dulcimer by Mike Huddleson Stringed Instruments of Wichita, KS.
Tina Gugeler of Erie, CO is no stranger to the Festival and this competition. Tina has been coming to Winfield for 14 years and this is the 6th time she has entered the hammer dulcimer competition. She is also a past winner having placed 3rd in 1998, 2nd in 1999 and 1st in 2000. Tina has played the hammer dulcimer for the past 21 years and loves to jam at the “Carp Camp” while at the Festival. Gugeler says she plays the guitar, penny whistle and the piano, but not in public. For her third place finish Tina has won $50 in cash, the 2nd place trophy and a Cloud Nine model 17/16/8 Hammer Dulcimer by Cloud Nine musical Instruments of Ostrander, OH.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...You might also like to read these related news items: