“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!
Read the blog posts about the project and its development.
The project will be modified for a slimmer budget by reducing the number of tracks unless the fundraising goal is met.
EXPENSES:
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INCOME:
(I applied for a Maryland State Arts Grant but did not receive it.)
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RELEASE DATE: Early Summer, 2026
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Scroll down to the FAQs for alternate, non-Paypal ways of giving.
Wold Hill Woodworking has generously donated 19 pairs of Ashbrook Signature hammers as a special promotion for Karen's new recording "Hands of the Healer." For $55 purchasers will also receive a download of the recording when it comes out in June! Order HERE.
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.
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!
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.
Your support includes a CD, Digital download, plus another CD of your choice from Karen's recordings. Includes domestic US shipping.
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!
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)
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)
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.
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
Apr 23, 2026
I've been negligent in updating this blog. Last month I finished the recording part of the project. It's mixed and mastered and sounds fantastic! The total time is 64:30. This is the first project I have ever been truly happy…
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Mar 7, 2026
I'm excited to announce the very generous donation of 19 pairs of Ashbrook Signature Hammers from Wolf Hill Woodworking to my crowdfunding campaign. For $55 you can receive a pair of the style of hammers I use plus a download…
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Feb 10, 2026
Paul plays on three tracks on the new recording. He plays his Sedgwick harp guitar in DADGAD tuning on “Hands of the Healer.” He plays his Sobell 10-string cittern on “The Dream Passes by the Windows/ Manx Lullaby” set. We've…
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Feb 4, 2026
Paul joined me in the studio to record 2 of his 3 sets mid-January and I also spent a day recording solo sets. “The Dream Passes By the Windows” is a haunting Ukrainian lullaby Paul plays on. I now have…
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Jan 16, 2026
This Saturday Paul joins me at Tonal Park to record at least two of the pieces he'll be on. He's on 3 sets, of course all on different instruments: The Ukrainian lullaby the Dream Passes by the Window/Manx Lullaby with…
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Dec 22, 2025
As we come to the end of 2025, I will try one last time (my third attempt) for the Maryland State Arts Council Creativity Grant. I finally received feedback the end of October from my initial application that had some…
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Dec 2, 2025
Thanksgiving weekend the project's cellist Sophie Chang was in town. We played Thanksgiving morning at our home church, Church of the Ascension in Silver Spring. Friday we practiced all day (the service music showed us many spots we needed to…
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Nov 5, 2025
Grammy-award winning artist Michael G. Stewart has done amazing pr photos for my last 3 recordings. HOH was the excuse to get new photos! So here are a couple of the silly takes. The things you have to do to…
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Oct 15, 2025
October 15 Update:
Much progress has been made in the last 2 months. I had a fantastic all-day rehearsal with the project's cellist Sophie Chang up in Rhode Island the end of August. The photo is us rehearsing on the…
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