Benjamin Barker began his musical experiences as early as a toddler, taking weekly children’s music classes. He began studying piano at 5 years old and was an extremely content learner. At 10 years old Benjamin decided to explore other instruments and quickly learned to play the mountain dulcimer. The curiosity of the hammered dulcimer was so enthralling each time he looked at his instructor’s instrument Benjamin was inspired that he must learn to play it! At age 11 he started taking hammered dulcimer lessons and continued to grow on the instrument. His vision is to compose and arrange for this unique percussive stringed instrument and bring its amazing sound to the world. At the age of 17 he released his first album “Nothing But the Blood: Solo Hymns for Hammered Dulcimer.” He will be releasing his second album in late 2020 which will be the complete J.S. Bach Cello Suites transposed to hammered dulcimer. His up and coming podcast “Musical Insights” will document this journey.
Benjamin has also played the harp since the age of 15; and has currently composed new pieces. Plans to publish his Rio de Janerio suite is in the works. He previously played with the North Carolina Harp Ensemble.
Much of his musical influence has come from a little mountain church in the Brushy Mountains of NC that’s hidden away at the end of a winding mountain road. Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Wilkes County has provided a vast heritage of Old Time, Bluegrass, and Folk music that has been passed down through the ages. Studying the music of Flatt & Scruggs left Earl Scruggs banjo rolls engrained in his head to easily play them on hammered dulcimer. The numerous jams he has participated in influenced his ability to collaborate with musicians of diverse styles.
Benjamin has enjoyed preforming at notable festivals which include Merle Fest, Carolina in the Fall, Galax Old Time Fiddlers Convention, International Bluegrass Music Association World of Bluegrass. He has also made two appearances on Wood Songs Old Time Radio Hour and placed 2nd at the Hammered Dulcimer competition at the Walnut Valley Festival. He serves as the youngest board member of the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society.
When he’s not recording, arranging, composing, or preforming he finds it a joy to teach piano, hammered dulcimer, and harp to students in public, private, and homeschool. Passing the music down to the next generation is important to preserve culture, heritage, and traditions. Benjamin feels that music is a journey and we shouldn’t rush it.
Benjamin has received his Associates of Business degree and is a student of Western Carolina University working to complete his bachelor’s degree in Innovation, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship as well as Business Administration.