Grant Olson

Currently a senior in college, Grant has been playing the mountain dulcimer since 2013. Beginning with a one-string cardboard dulcimer, he was further inspired by Donna Vaugn, a family member who taught dulcimer for many years in Kentucky, and took lessons from Karen Meuller for 7 years. Since then he has continued to develop his unique style, playing fiddle tunes, hymns, Irish, classical, and writing his own music. 

In 2019, Grant competed in and won the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship in Winfield, Kansas (and yes, used a cardboard/styrofoam dulcimer he made himself). Since then, he has posted numerous YouTube videos, taught at online and in person festivals, and continued to innovate in dulcimer playing. Grant often fingerpicks the dulcimer, but enjoys all styles of playing. He is fluent in diatonic and chromatic dulcimer playing, and often uses a four equidistant string tuning. 

Grant has also developed a small business of making and selling "stick dulcimers", which are like having just the fretboard of a dulcimer. Many people enjoy these either as a portable instrument, something to experiment with, or a way to try a different setup (like a chromatic fretboard for example) without investing in a full-scale instrument. 

Most recently, he has released his first album, entitled "Grant Olson - Solo Dulcimer". It features 12 tracks spanning a wide range of genres and is available through his website.