10/09/2026
❗️❗️HOUSE CONCERT❗️❗️
Friday, October 9th
PM to RSVP
Dakota Karper is an Appalachian folk musician and educator dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich traditions of West Virginia’s old-time music. Raised in rural West Virginia, she grew up immersed in fiddle tunes and community music-making, studying under master fiddler Joe Herrmann and further honing her craft at the Augusta Heritage Center and Shenandoah Arts Academy. Her music weaves original compositions with traditional melodies, reflecting a deep connection to her Appalachian roots and to the communities that keep this music alive.
In addition to performing at venues ranging from intimate house concerts to regional festivals, Dakota teaches fiddle and banjo at The Cat and The Fiddle, the folk music school she founded in 2019 to foster a welcoming, intergenerational space for learning Appalachian music. She also teaches at traditional music camps including Augusta Heritage Center, Common Ground on the Hill, and Fisher Fiddle Camp, sharing repertoire and techniques with students of all ages. Her performance life has included playing with the bands Short Mountain String Band, Hay Fever, Hemlock & Hickory, and Vandalia, and she has released five albums.
Dakota is a committed community organizer and cultural worker. In 2023, she became the executive director of the Cacapon Music & Dance Foundation, a nonprofit she founded to expand youth music scholarships, community events, and folklife programs across the region. Through these initiatives and her ongoing work as a performer, bandleader, square dance caller, and teacher, she supports the continued vitality, creativity, and accessibility of Appalachian music and culture.
"Tunes from West Virginia" - Multi-Instrument Workshop with Dakota Karper
This workshop explores traditional tunes from the state of West Virginia. Led by Dakota Karper, we’ll learn a few regional tunes by ear and dive into the history behind them, along with the musicians who helped shape the sound.
The class will be taught in a jam setting, starting with slowed-down, broken apart versions of the tunes, then gradually picking up the tempo as we practice together. This approach will give you a chance to get comfortable with the tunes at a manageable pace before playing them up to speed, and learn tricks for picking up tunes in a jam setting. Open to all instruments, this workshop is perfect for players looking to expand their repertoire and explore regional variations in old-time music. No sheet music will be provided, so bring a recording device for learning by ear.
🗓 Friday, October 9th, 2026
Schedule:
🕔 5:30 PM – Workshop ($10 - $20 Suggested Donation)
🎶 7:00 PM – Concert ($10 - $20 Suggested Donation)
🎵 8:00 PM – Open Jam Session
🍲 Potluck Dinner – Bring a dish to share
🍻 BYOB – Bring your favorite beverage
Come learn, listen, eat, and jam with friends—musicians and music lovers of all levels welcome. Bring your instrument if you’ve got one, or just come soak in the sound!
📍 House location shared upon RSVP
Let’s fill the house with music, food, and good vibes—hope to see you there!
