Together, we'll learn to:

✓ practice mindfully
✓ create with confidence
✓ share joy

Hello there. I'm Dan, often described as a renaissance man for my passions in music, photography, and zest for life. Today, I'm reaching out for your support in a deeply personal challenge. I'm battling cancer and begin seven weeks of radiation treatments April 17. This journey has led me to seek your help, not just through donations, but in a way that allows me to give back—by offering online lessons in hammered dulcimer, photography, and more.

Your support will not only help me manage the financial burdens of treatment but also enable me to continue sharing my knowledge and passion for teaching. It's a bit like if Kickstarter and GoFundMe had a child. If you're considering participating, click the big "SIGN ME UP" button, or read the blog post below for a bit more of the backstory. I'm currently working on the content delivery portion of this website, with the first lesson launching soon, but after initially setting a launch date, I'm backing off on over-promising. Just know that I'm working on it daily, mostly between naps. I'll keep you posted by email. Anyone willing to sign up now, slightly ahead of the official launch, will be greatly appreciated and can help me make sure everything is working. Thank you for considering your ability to support me through these life-changing circumstances.

As a teacher, my goal has always been to demystify the abstract concepts of creativity with practical lessons and concrete examples. I believe creative instincts are learnable skills that can bring zest and possibility to all aspects of life. Despite the challenges ahead, I'm committed to providing valuable content that nurtures your creative self through mindful play and experimentation.

I smile and say “thank you,” when described as proficient in my fields, as it’s hard to imagine ever truly achieving it. Yet, I see little space between my interests in music, photography, and life itself. Mindfulness, composition, groove, timing, and joy permeate them all. With your support, I'm hopeful that by Fall I'll be well on the road to recovery, and you'll find the content you've consumed enriching and worth continuing to support.

Nurture Your Creativity and Make a Difference in a Life

A Little Backstory

Over the last quarter-century, my life has been a vibrant tapestry woven from threads of music, performance, teaching, community service, and entrepreneurship. From the early days of busking outside the Tennessee Aquarium to touring with Yanni, and from stewarding the beloved Dulcimer Players News into a new era to serving as the Mayor of Signal Mountain, TN, my journey has been anything but ordinary. Alongside Angie, my steadfast partner in all things, we've navigated the ups and downs of self-employment, always finding ways to give back to the community that has given us so much.

However, recent years have presented us with our most formidable challenges yet. The COVID-19 pandemic erased many of the traditional avenues through which we shared our talents and sustained our livelihood. In response, we pivoted to leveraging our skills in house remodeling—a decision that, while initially promising, did not shield us from the unforeseen hardships to come.

dan@danlandrum.com