Neal Hellman, nationally acclaimed performer and teacher of the mountain dulcimer, has been active in performing, writing, teaching, and recording acoustic music for the past 25 years throughout the United States, Europe and New Zealand.

Neal’s latest recording, Emma’s Waltz, is a colorful dance through traditional and contemporary acoustic music styles. Featuring seventeen different musicians playing compositions from Ireland, Scotland, Finland, America and France.

In collaboration with Joe Weed, Neal wrote the score for Princess Furball, a children's video by Weston Woods which won a 1993 American Library Association Commendation.

He is the author of many books on the Appalachian dulcimer, including Celtic Songs & Slow Airs for Mountain Dulcimer, The Dulcimer Chord Book, The Hal Leonard Dulcimer Method, Beatles Dulcimer Book and The Music of the Shakers For Mountain Dulcimer on Mel Bay and Hal Leonard Publications.

As founder, director and one of the primary artists of the Gourd Music record label, Neal has produced over thirty five albums, including Simple Gifts, Tree of Life, The Fairie Round, Tender Shepherd, The World Turned Upside Down and Celtic Sessions, creating a uniquely distinctive sound, featuring a variety of acoustic instrumental ensembles, rich in texture and tonal color. Gourd recordings were acclaimed by InMusic, the Schwann Catalog's journal of new releases, as “on the forefront of the new acoustic music movement ... well written, expertly performed, masterfully produced, and carefully manufactured.”

As a teacher, Neal is regularly paid the greatest compliment possible: his festival workshops are invariably crowded with students, old and new, who appreciate his clear instructional style, varied and original repertoire, and enthusiasm for his instrument.