Welcome to North America Dulcifest for all things Dulcimer
Join us for The Fifth House Dulcimer Festival, a one-of-a-kind event celebrating the rich diversity of dulcimer traditions. This festival will bring together world-class artists, innovative performances, and deep cultural exchanges centred around the santur, hammered dulcimer, and related instruments from various traditions.
HAMMERED: International Festival of Dulcimers
HAMMERED is a bold new international festival celebrating the global family of hammered dulcimers — brilliant instruments played by striking metal strings with delicate wooden mallets.
The festival brings together master musicians from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe for a vibrant program of performances, talks, and cultural exchange, led by Artistic Director Amir Amiri.
From the Persian santur and Indian santoor to the Chinese yangqin and European cimbalom, these instruments share a strikingly similar design and a centuries-spanning musical lineage. Though rooted in different traditions, they create a shared language of shimmering, expressive sound.
HAMMERED celebrates both this shared heritage and the distinct voices of each tradition, revealing how ancient instruments continue to inspire and evolve in the hands of today’s artists.
Saturday, May 16
Crossing Traditions: Cimbalom and Santoor in Dialogue
Performance
Saturday, May 16 • 7:30–9:30 pm
This electrifying evening brings together the hammered-string traditions of Europe and South Asia in a program unfolding in two immersive sets. First the Indian santoor, then the European cimbalom, echoing in conversation.
Artist Talk and Demonstration: Vinay Desai and Alexandru Sura
Saturday, May 16 • 2–3 pm
Join Vinay Desai and Alexandru Sura for an engaging artist talk and demonstration exploring the santoor and cimbalom. Through live examples and conversation, the artists will introduce the histories, techniques, and musical frameworks that shape their respective traditions, from Hindustani classical raag to Eastern European repertoire.
Sunday, May 17
Silk Route Resonances: Santur and Yangqin Across Traditions
Performance
Sunday, May 17 • 7:30–9:30 pm
Journey across cultures and centuries in this evocative evening exploring the Persian santur and the Chinese yangqin — two kindred instruments shaped by distinct musical worlds.
Artist Talk and Demonstration: Amir Amiri and Di Zhang
Sunday, May 17 • 2–3 pm
In this interactive session, Di Zhang and Amir Amiri offer a closer look at the yangqin and santur, tracing their shared origins and distinct cultural evolutions. Through performance excerpts and discussion, they will explore the instruments’ roles within Chinese and Persian musical systems, demonstrating techniques, tonal possibilities, and approaches to interpretation.