Crowdfunder Closes Saturday June 6th

“Hands of the Healer–Gentle Music for the Spirit”

When Dave Wiesler presented Karen with a beautiful tune in honor of her work as a therapeutic musician, she knew it would become the title track of her next recording. It will feature lush contemporary compositions along with tranquil traditional international lullabies from five different continents. In addition to solo dulcimer, she will be joined on a few tracks by Sophie Chang on cello and Paul Oorts on harp guitar and cittern. The target release date is summer 2026. Recording started November, 2025. This recording will be a reflection of her 50-year life journey playing the dulcimer!

Crowdfunder Closes Saturday June 6th.

Official Release Date: Monday June 8th

Read the blog posts about the project and its development.

BUDGET: $10,000-$11,200

The project will be modified for a slimmer budget by reducing the number of tracks unless the fundraising goal is met.

EXPENSES:

STUDIO (recording, mixing, mastering) $8200
ART: $500
PHOTOGRAPHY: $300
MUSICIAN FEES: $500
MECHANICALS: $500 (for copyrighted songs)
CD DUPLICATION: $1300
PAYPAL FEES (approximately 3% of revenue)
Postage (for CD orders) $300

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INCOME:

CROWDFUNDING/Pre-Orders Goal: $11,000.

(I applied for a Maryland State Arts Grant but did not receive it.)

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RELEASE DATE: Early Summer, 2026

DONATION: Levels & Thank You Gifts

Scroll down to read alternate ways to give in the FAQ section

$15 – Pre-order Digital Download
FAN $30 – Pre-order CD + Digital Download (includes shipping in the US)
PATRON $50 – Pre-order CD + Digital Download (includes shipping in the US)
ANGEL $100 – Pre-order CD, Digital Download + choose an additional recording from Karen's site to add on
STAR $250 – Pre-order CD, Digital Download + choose an additional recording from Karen's site to add on, and a 3-month subscription to The Dulcimer With Heart Do-It-Myself subscription (DWH value $150)
DREAMER $500 – CD, Digital Download + choose any recording from Karen's site to add on, and a 6-month subscription to The Dulcimer With Heart Do-It-Myself subscription (DWH value $300)
CELESTIAL – $1000 includes a virtual or in -person (DC/Baltimore area) concert by KA/PO–Karen & Paul!
CUSTOM – Any amount is appreciated! Above $15 will include a digital download (Select “SUPPORTER”)

Scroll down to choose donation level.

SELECT GIVING LEVEL

Crowdfunder Closes Saturday, June 6th

Scroll down to the FAQs for alternate, non-Paypal ways of giving.

All have sold! Thank you Wolf Hill!

Wolf Hill Woodworking generously donated 19 pairs of Ashbrook Signature hammers as a special promotion for Karen's new recording "Hands of the Healer." All have sold!

Hands of the Healer Pre-Order Digital Download

Support Karen's new recording, "Hands of the Healer–Gentle Music for the Spirit" with a pre-order for a digital copy. Release date will be Summer 2026.

$15.00

Hands of the Healer FAN

Support Karen's project with a pre-order of Hands of the Healer CD & Digital Download. Available by summer 2026. Price includes domestic US shipping!

$30.00

Hands of the Healer Patron

Includes a CD and digital download of Hands of the Healer when it's released in summer 2026. Also includes your choice of a CD or download of any other recording in Karen's Store. Domestic US shipping included.

$50.00

Hands of the Healer ANGEL

Your support includes a CD, Digital download, plus another CD of your choice from Karen's recordings. Includes domestic US shipping.

$100.00

Hands of the Healer STAR

Includes a CD, digital download, additional CD (includes domestic US shipping) or download of your choice from Karen's Store, plus a 3 month subscription to Dulcimer With Heart Do- it Yourself level ($150 value), where you can access on-demand lessons, receive a new monthly tune with instruction, and jam with Karen and Paul!

$250.00

Hands of the Healer DREAMER

Includes a CD and/or digital download of Hands of the Healer, plus a recording of your choice plus a 6-month Dulcimer With Heart Do-It-Yourself subscription (DWH value $300)

$500.00

Hands of the Healer CELESTIAL

Includes CD or digital download and a private one-hour CONCERT from KA/PO-Karen Ashbrook and Paul Oorts, in person (within a 50 mile radius of Silver Spring, MD) or virtual, at a time arranged by all parties.
(Only 2 concerts available)

Out of stock

SUPPORTER for Hands of the Healer Recording Crowdfunder

Support Karen's project with a custom donation. All donations will be greatly appreciated! If your donation is $15 or higher, you can also request a free download.

Donations to Date: $10,980 Crowdfunder Closes Saturday June 6th

FAQ

Q. I want to donate but I don't need any (or all ) of the gifts. What do I do?

A. There is a place at Checkout to write a note when you make your donation.

Q. When will I receive everything?

A. CDs and digital downloads will be sent as soon as they are available (early summer 2026.) Sign up codes for Dulcimer With Heart subscriptions will be sent within a few days of making a donation and can be activated at your convenience.

Q. I don't like using Paypal. Is there any other way I can donate?

A. Yes! Email Karen for information for mailing checks or paying by Zelle or Venmo. Write: mail@karenashbrook.com

Other questions? Contact Karen at mail@karenashbrook.com