When a catastrophic failure left their fifth wheel’s axle inside their closet, Robin Freed and her husband were stranded in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Bored and attempting to make the best of their situation, they attended a hammered dulcimer festival. Freed was so intrigued by the instrument that she bought one that day. 

The dulcimer is a trapezoid-shaped instrument that originated in the Middle Ages. It’s made of strings, a soundboard and a stand. Much like a piano, a small hammer is used to hit the strings. 

Freed studied the organ and piano in her youth, which came in handy when she took up the dulcimer. She taught herself to play and pursued musical opportunities whenever she could. A few years later, she bought her first harp.

“I was able to take private lessons and group lessons and concerts with the real masters of folk harp,” recalled Freed, 67.

When Freed and her husband moved back to Montrose in 2014, she eagerly began teaching piano, harp and dulcimer. Her students, who span from children to adults in their 80s, don’t need to worry about finding an instrument. Her home abounds with harps and dulcimers of all sizes that students are welcome to borrow or use during lessons.

“I want to make sure that anyone who wants to play, we find a way that they can play,” said Freed, 67. 

Mary Loncar, 71, started playing the harp at Freed’s urging. 

“Robin said, ‘Why don’t you just sit down at the harp? Why don’t you just, you know, strum the harp?’ Pretty soon, I was playing at nursing homes,” Loncar said with a laugh. “She pushes us in a lovely way!” 

Charlotte Powers, 74, started performing after just a month or two of lessons. 

“Robin is an excellent teacher, but she doesn’t let any grass grow under your feet!” she said. “I started in September and by November, she says, ‘I think you should play in the Christmas concert.’”

Freed and her students hone their skills while bringing joy to others by playing at nursing homes, hospitals, libraries and local events (like BeaconFest). For Karen Nicholson, 80, that joy complements her own satisfaction as she continues to learn a new skill.

Research shows that playing music benefits older adults’ cognitive health. Freed’s students believe it helps in other ways too.

“This instrument brings calmness to people in pain and in sadness that I don’t think any other instrument could do,” said Loncar.

Freed’s lessons gives Joey VanderLaan a reason to learn with her 7-year-old granddaughter. Plus, playing the harp distracts her from pain. 

“I have bad knees. You get used to [the pain], but when I play the harp, I forget,” said VanderLaan, 67. 

Other than learning and performing, Powers’ favorite thing about the group is the fellowship of the other players.

“I love these ladies. These are some of my best friends,” said Powers. 

For more information, contact Freed at [email protected] or call 970-275-8996.