Benjamin Barker is a National Hammered Dulcimer Champion, Harpist, and Composer based out of Greenville, SC.
Growing up at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Wilkesboro, NC, he encountered the hammered dulcimer for the first time at the age of eleven in the home of a music teacher. Benjamin states “I had never seen anything like the instrument, and it intrigued me – I wanted to learn more”. This led him to start studying with multiple hammered dulcimer teachers, and eventually winning the 2021 National Hammered Dulcimer Championship. At the age of sixteen he started to pursue the lever harp and has since studied with mentors including Frank Voltz and Maeve Gilchrist.
His music draws on a wide variety of traditions and genres ranging from Western Classical, American Folk (with an emphasis on Bluegrass and Old-Time music), New Age, World, Jazz, and more. He is equally comfortable playing Bach as he is performing in a Bluegrass jam or playing Blues with a Jazz trio. He has currently released two albums to date: “Nothing But the Blood: Solo Hymns for Hammered Dulcimer”, and “Bach: Complete Cello Suites Performed on Hammered Dulcimer”. In addition, he has released the EP “The Nautilus Trilogy” which is an EP of three beach-inspired compositions for Solo Harp, and the hammered dulcimer single “Mister Sandman”.
Accomplishments include:
- Winning the 2021 National Hammered Dulcimer Championship
- Performing twice on the Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour
- Writing and recording music with David LaMotte
- Being a featured composer for the 2021 American Harp Society’s “Young Composer’s Project”
Outside of music, Benjamin completed his Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Law, and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership from Western Carolina University in December of 2022. In his free time, he enjoys reading classic literature, travelling, and grabbing coffee with friends.
Benjamin is available to perform for Concerts, Weddings, Corporate Events, Worship Services, Festivals, and more. Please contact for booking inquiries.