Hello, and welcome to my website!  Allow me to introduce myself -- My name is Marya Katz.  I am a musician, an educator, a lover of growing things...actually, all of those pretty much go together.  I am a National Board Certified Teacher (Early/Middle Childhood Music, 2002), and recently retired after teaching public school music for 33 years.  I also conduct the adult choir at my church -- in 2008 the church surprised me with a  celebration of my 25th year in that position.  I make my home in Blacksburg, VA, in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains.

However, the purpose of this website is to celebrate my other passion, which is playing the hammered dulcimer.  With this beautiful instrument, I perform with a local folk group, Simple Gifts of the Blue Ridge, compose music, and have been a workshop leader at various Dulcimer Festivals along the East Coast.  I love to play for schools, weddings, receptions, and churches; I also am available to teach private lessons on the hammered dulcimer.