Charles is a multi-instrumentalist who began playing woodwinds in the fifth grade and added autoharp and hammered dulcimer in 2005. From New England to the PNW, he has performed with numerous concert bands, orchestras, chamber groups, small folk ensembles, and created his own solo projects. On hammered dulcimer, he enjoys playing old-time fiddle and Celtic tunes as well as his own arrangements of classical pieces. He plays autoharp mostly to accompany his singing, but he’s also adept at melody picking and playing instrumentals on both diatonic and chromatic ‘harps. “Playing music can bring you a lot of joy, but there are days when things just don’t go well – even for seasoned professionals. Don’t let it discourage you. Take a break or stop practicing for the day and come back at it fresh later. Always remember the work that you’re putting in will pay off, even if you don’t notice it right away.” Charles loves helping students find their way around both instruments so that they can learn to play the music they love. He will work to find each student’s learning style and joy in playing to help them reach their musical goals. In addition to performing and teaching, Charles is also the Music School Coordinator at Dusty Strings.
