History:

Ilace's musical journey began approximately the same time the earth's crust was cooling.       

Her first violin was a 1/4 size and it still makes an annual appearance on the Christmas wreath. As a freshman in high school, she realized the benefits of practice when she collected her first paycheck for playing violin in the pit orchestra for the Louisiana Tech production of Brigadoon. Steady orchestra jobs supplied college tuition funds, her first two (used) cars, and a wealth of experience.

Around 1980, Ilace and husband Ray visited Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. Ilace was intrigued by the sound of an instrument she heard there - a hammered dulcimer. Almost 30 years later, she had a mid-life crisis, decided she didn't have to act responsibly ALL the time, and bought one - a Rick Thum Traveller (it was a pretty mild crisis, actually). The 2006 Memphis Dulcimer Gathering introduced her to a whole new musical world: different repertoire, different techniques, and wonderful new friends from coast to coast. It wasn't long until she recognized the need for an instrument with more notes. She now loves playing a Rick Thum 17/17 Professional with hand-picked walnut sides, maple bridges, and dampers. If you are very, very nice to her, she will let you touch it. Maybe. She also plays a Wilkanowski violin and is trying to learn to fiddle.      Ilace's professional life has included teaching first grade and preschool as well as twenty years as an early childhood education administrator. She has also taught violin, piano, and dulcimer lessons; guest-conducted the Monroe (LA) Youth Symphony; rung handbells; directed children's choirs and handbell choirs; and sung in church choirs and a community chorus.

In April, 2012, Ilace was awarded first prize in the Southern Regional Hammered Dulcimer Championship contest at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas. 2014 brought another Mountain View championship trophy.

In September, 2012, Ilace was delighted to be named a finalist in the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship competition at the very prestigious Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. A second place finish was even more delightful in 2015, but nothing compared to the thrill of being crowned National Champion in 2016!

Ilace made her workshop instruction debut at the 2011 Memphis Dulcimer Gathering and has since been a very favorably reviewed instructor and performer at festivals and events from Michigan to Louisiana and Virginia to California! She looks forward to many more opportunities to share her musical knowledge and her passion for this amazingly versatile instrument!