Jeff Nayadley, Instructor

Jeff Nayadley first heard the hammered dulcimer in the early 1990s on a cassette recording and was captivated by the instrument’s beautiful and unusual sound but knew nothing about the instrument itself. Fast forward 10 years and he became acquainted with a dulcimer maker in Hannibal, MO during a weekend visit. Curiosity led him to inquire further about the instrument, although he wasn’t certain he could ever play such a complicated-looking instrument with so many strings! Yet, the dulcimer’s intriguing sound stuck with him, so he decided to give it a try and purchased an instrument in 2004. He’s been playing a hammered dulcimer ever since and enjoys introducing others to the instrument.

Jeff began learning to play on his own through the use of books, but then discovered the availability of dulcimer festivals and camps where he could receive instruction. Through these opportunities, he has taken classes with some well-known players and teachers in the United States. Jeff plays the hammered dulcimer with a quartet in the Washington, IA area called Prairie Serenade. The group plays a musical mix of Celtic, old-time and folk tunes, hymns and light classical pieces.