Music from the Appalachian Tradition! Authentic Mountain Soul. Contemporary Virtuosity and Drive.

❝ Old-timey music at its best! ❝ – Folk Artist News ❝ Performers such as Kendra Ward and Bob Bence have inspired a new generation of dedicated dulcimer and traditional music enthusiasts. ❝ – The News, Beaumont, Texas

he music of Kendra Ward and Bob Bence has its roots deep in the mountains of TAppalachia and it possesses a universal appeal that the duo has shared with audiences around the world for nearly 30 years. Kendra is a musician, teacher, author, composer and performer with a lifetime of experience in tra- ditional Appalachian arts. She has played dulcimer since the age of four, learning primarily from her Father and her Grandmother, and from her con- stant exposure to the fiddlers, players, dancers and other traditional artists who call the Workshops, Master Classes and Residency Activities Appalachian hills home. Kendra Ward and Bob Bence present workshops Bob is an award-winning musician whose bold, and master classes on a variety of musical instru- powerful style harkens back to the days of Riley Puckett and Roy Harvey, and whose profes- ments including: hammered dulcimer, mountain sional credits include not only festivals and concert dulcimer and guitar. They also offer workshops on halls, but also comedy clubs and improv stages. group arrangements, jamming, copyrights, music business, and a variety of other topics. Together Kendra Ward and Bob Bence have earned a reputation as one of the most entertaining For schools, Kendra Ward and Bob Bence can and influential traditional music duos in the present educational performances designed for nation. They have released ten recordings and are both small groups and large assemblies. the authors of a number of DVDs and instruction books. Longer term residency programs are also available. Media and Presenter Comments: Discography: ❝ Kendra Ward is the best dulcimer player • Rides Again! (2008) we have ever heard! ❝ • High Plains Rain (2000) – Ron Mason, Cincinnati Appalachian Festival • Dulcimer Country (1996) • Some Glad Morning (1994) ❝ The versatility they demonstrated speaks • Hammered Dulcimer Special (1992) highly of their ability to not only be pro- • Hammered Dulcimer Christmas Sampler (1992) fessional, but also creative, regardless of • Down Yonder (1990) the circumstances. ❝ • A Rose Between Two Thorns (1988) – Kingsley Meyer, University of Rio Grande • Beyond Bluegrass (1984) ❝ Fast, furious and exciting! A great • Hammered Dulcimer … Bluegrass Style (1983) evening! ❝ Books & Publications: – Twynham Folk Club, Christchurch, England • Let’s Jam! Volume 4 - The Celtic Edition (2011) • Hammered Dulcimer Cheat Sheet 2 (2011) ❝ Kendra is fast, powerful and has complete • Count Your Blessings (2008) dynamic control. Bob’s guitar is the per- • The Bowed Psaltry Handbook (2008) fect compliment with lots of strength and interesting fill-ins. ❝ • Let’s Jam! Volume 3 - The Gospel Edition (2007) 2006 – Folk Artist News • Guitar Chord Cheat Sheet ( ) ❝ It is a fine collection, held together by • Let’s Jam! Volume 2 (2006) the crisp dialogue between the two per- • Let’s Jam! (2002) formers. ❝ (High Plains Rain CD review) • Hammered Dulcimer Cheat Sheet (2001) – Dirty Linen magazine • Mountain Dulcimer Cheat Sheet (D-A-A Tuning) (2001) • Mountain Dulcimer Cheat Sheet (D-A-D Tuning) (2001) ❝ (4 bones) The energy and excitement of • The Dulcimer Times magazine (1998 - 2001) this duo is evident throughout the record- • We Wish You A Merry Christmas (1992) ing. ❝ (Dulcimer Country CD review) • That Old-Time Religion (1990) – Music Hound Essential Guide • The Hammered Dulcimer Handbook, Book 1 (1988) Notable Festivals and Events: • Walnut Valley Festival – Winfield, Kansas Instruction Videos & DVD: • Learn “West Fork Gals!” (2007) • Summer Solstice Festival – Northridge, California • Mountain Dulcimer Basics (1999) • Ohio State Fair – Columbus, Ohio • Playing With Arpeggios (1998) • Multi-Cultural Festival – Chandler, Arizona • Hammered Dulcimer Basics (1998)- • Music Week – Louisville, Kentucky • Cincinnati Appalachian Festival – Cincinnati, Ohio Awards & Distinctions: • Selected to Ohio Arts Council’s Touring Artist Roster. • Southern California Dulcimer Heritage Festival – Culver (2001 - Present) City, California • The Videographer Award of Excellence • West Virginia Folk Festival – Glenville, West Virginia Mountain Dulcimer Basics DVD. (2000) • South Florida Fair – West Palm Beach, Florida • The Videographer Award of Excellence • Acoustic Brew Concert – State College, Pennsylvania Playing With Arpeggios DVD. (1999) • East Lansing Dulcimer Festival – Lansing, Michigan • The Videographer Award of Excellence • Tidewater Friends of Folk Music Concert – Virginia Hammered Dulcimer Basics DVD. ( 1998) Beach, Virginia • The Communicator Crystal Award of Excellence • International Concert/Workshop Tours – England, The Dulcimer Times magazine. (1998) Scotland, Wales, Germany, Austria • Ohio State Hammered Dulcimer Champion (1981 and 1983)