Whether you are hosting an elegant banquet or an informal backyard reception, you can choose from a variety of instruments to enhance your event. Alice Freeman is a classically trained musician and has played violin and viola for over 40 years and harp and hammered dulcimer for more than 10 years. Invite Alice to make your event truly memorable.
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 Choose the pedal harp when you want elegance and beauty for formal occasions. This harp is an
appropriate choice for everything from small receptions and parties to weddings with several hundred guests. Alice plays this harp with the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra in Laramie.
 Music for bedside patient comfort requires an instrument with a musical range duplicating that of the human voice. Alice Freeman brings a 25-string Triplett Christina therapy harp for home-bound, nursing home, hospital, and transitioning patients. This quiet harp blends into the background as a patient sleeps and yet since hearing is one of the last senses to go, we know its healing sounds are still perceived by these people.
If you want a hammered dulcimer player to join a folk music or other informal sessions, Alice's compact instrument is ideal. Her 3/16/15/8 small chromatic hammered dulcimer is made by James Jones in Virginia. This lovely instrument weighs only 11 pounds and yet is fully chromatic with extended treble and bass bridges.
The
difference
between a
violin and a
viola is the
relative size
of the
instruments
as well as
the pitch of the strings. The viola is
slightly larger than a violin. Both are
played by holding them under the chin
with the left hand. The violin (pictured
on the right) has E, A, D, and G strings.
The viola has the same A, D, and G,
strings but instead of the high E, the
viola has a low C string (one octave
below Middle C). Alice plays either
instrument for special occasions.
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 When you want harp music but your event is in a remote outdoor location, a good choice is Alice's 34-string Triplett Catalina Deluxe. The beautiful mellow tones of this portable harp make it a favorite for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. The built-in pickup for amplification makes it easy for this harp to be heard over long distances outdoors as well as in crowded rooms. Alice uses a battery powered amplifier, so being close to an electrical source is completely unnecessary.
 If you are planning an event with a folk theme, you should consider hiring a hammered dulcimer. Evolving in Persia over 2000 years ago as the santur, various types of hammered dulcimers are played in most countries of the world now. Alice's larger hammered dulcimer is a Dusty Strings D550, 16/15 chromatic dulcimer made in Seattle, Washington. The dampers on this instrument can provide special muted effects. The extra chromatic bridges and extended bass bridge make this an excellent instrument for playing classical repertoire as well as traditional contra dances, jigs, reels, and Medieval music. (Don't confuse this dulcimer with another instrument of the same name. Mountain dulcimers are hour-glass or tear-drop-shaped, are usually placed flat on your lap, and are played by fingering fretted strings and strumming.)
Hammered dulcimers are played by striking the strings with small mallets. Different effects are achieved by using wooden heads, leather-covered, or felt-covered hammers. Some hammers are single-sided, others are double-sided. Hammers in this picture have been purchased from Dusty Strings, James Jones, Bob Bedard, Sam Rizzetta, and Jill Weimer. See the Dulcimer Makers and Vendors list for information on how to contact these manufacturers.
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