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Our focus is preserving and celebrating dulcimers—the instruments themselves, the music they make, and the fellowship they encourage.

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Editor’s Letter

Vol. 49 No. 3 (August 2023)

If you are surprised to see a full color, glossy issue of Dulcimer Players News in your mailbox this month, believe me, you are not as surprised as I am to be the one sending it.

I have had music in my life for as long as I can remember, starting with singing in church every Sunday, then buying a plastic recorder with a book of music from “The Lion King” when I was about 5. The recorder was upgraded to an oboe in middle school. In high school I learned euphonium for the marching band, later joined the jazz band on trombone, and finally added English horn to my repertoire my senior year. 

The band director, Mr. Auman, always wrote a personal letter to every graduating senior. In addition to encouraging me to join the Wind Ensemble at Old Dominion University, he included other wisdom — “Your major area of study is important, but you must take time to do the things necessary to replenish the soul. Try to find a balance in all of the things that you do.” 

I played in college for a semester, then I discovered a passion for another side of music — dance! I traded musical performance for swing dancing, and I got involved in other activities like Ultimate Frisbee. 

In 2012 I met my husband Andy through Frisbee, just after I started working at the regional newspaper. I loved my job and the people I worked with, but I loved my husband-to-be more. When the Navy sent him to Groton, Connecticut, I followed. 

We got married in 2014, and since then, at the behest of the Navy, we have lived in Hawaii, Virginia, San Diego, and now Omaha.

In 2018 we had just moved back to Virginia after a difficult year in which my husband was deployed on a submarine and I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after years of chronic pain that had all but eliminated my ability to participate in activities I loved.

It was time to take Mr. Auman’s advice and “replenish my soul.” My dad, also a dulcimer player, let me borrow his dulcimer and signed me up for one of Stephen Seifert’s 3-day courses. Those three days were the balm I needed. I fell in love with the instrument and the community.

In February of this year, when I read Ashley Ernst’s announcement that she would be closing down DPN after the 50th volume, like many others, I was saddened by the prospective loss of this community staple. I was also six months pregnant with my second child and unsure of what my future looked like as a stay-at-home mom of two. 

My beautiful baby girl arrived happy and healthy in April. She was snoozy and easy going, and my 2.5 year old son was adjusting fine and gaining independence every day. I thought that by 2024 I would be ready to take up where Ashley was leaving off. In May, with my dad’s encouragement, I reached out to Ashley to explore the possibilities. 

I did not know that in the May editor’s letter she had announced her plans to wind down the magazine in 2023 with two smaller issues produced on a risograph. As we talked, however, we realized that if the magazine were to continue, the best thing would be to reduce disruption as much as possible. 

A few leaps of faith later and here we are. Same great magazine (I hope!), new editor. 

This issue would not have been possible without Ashley’s hard work, organization, dedication, and support. I cannot thank her enough for everything she did not only to make this transition possible, but also for the dulcimer community as a whole during her tenure as editor and publisher.

This issue would also not have been possible without my dad, who has worked tirelessly as my business coach, tech support, chauffeur, stenographer, etc. 

I am so excited to be taking up the mantle, and so grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to me.

— Fiona Potts