Blog – Michael E. Poole

Northwest Autoharp Gathering

In July, 2023, I was a featured performer and instructor at NWAG near Seattle, WA. It was held in a beautiful mountain retreat surrounded by towering evergreen trees. The NWAG staff were wonderful and attendees were lovely and talented folks who love the autoharp. I taught workshops on musical modes, jug band tunes, beginner...

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Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering

MLAG 2023 was a great success at the new venue at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, PA. Lodging was in the dormitory with camping and RV options; all meals were in the spacious dining hall and all workshops and concerts were in the student union building. All three locations were within easy walking distance. I...

Performances: Live and Virtual

What’s Happening

The local jams are continuing and I really enjoy singing and playing with friends at the Carolina Meadows on the 1st and 3rd Monday nights of each month. The men’s choir, Vox Virorum in Durham, NC, had concerts in January and March, 2024. Our spring concert is in May. I continue to teach private...

Festivals and Competitions

California Autoharp Gathering

In May, 2022, I was a featured performer at the California Autoharp Gathering near Fresno, CA. The theme for the Gathering was Folk Music. I taught three one-hour workshops on the topics of beginner technique, Bob Dyan tunes, and Judy Collins & Joan Baez tunes. Also, I gave an evening concert singing and playing...

Festivals and Competitions

International Autoharp Competition

I’m practicing diligently on my tunes for the International Autoharp Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. I competed in 2023 and I made the Finals again and was very proud of my arrangements and performances of St. Louis Blues, Crazy, Someone to Watch Over Me, and Nobody Knows You When You’re...

Current Skill Development

July, 2024: Goals

It is so true that as you study, practice, and learn, you realize how much more there is to study, practice, and learn. Here’s what I’m working on for this year…keeping in mind that all that I have learned in the past needs attention as well. -continue to explore and experiment with chromatic (closed...

Festivals and Competitions

Buckeye Dulcimer Festival

In 2023, I taught the autoharp section at the Buckeye Dulcimer Fesitval in Ashley ,Ohio which was originally planned for April, 2020, but due to the pandemic, it was postponed until April, 2021, then 2022, then 2023. This section is oriented towards the experienced beginner and the intermediate level player and will consist of...

Performances: Live and Virtual

YouTube Channel Videos

The pandemic created the need for social distancing and thereby the cancellation of all of my music events…community-based jam sessions, in-person autoharp lessons, the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering, and Vox Virorem choir practice. To stay connected to the autoharp world, I uploaded on my YouTube channel two videos from each of my two CDs...