Mitzie Collins

Mitzie Collins (born August 29, 1941) is an interpreter of traditional British and American vocal and instrumental music. She has arranged songs, including Genesee County waltzes.[citation needed] Collins is a player of the dulcimer[1] and other instruments, including the piano, organ, harpsichord, and banjo. As a recording and concert artist, she is best known for playing traditional music for the hammered dulcimer. She is also one of the directors of the Striking Strings Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble, a large ensemble consisting entirely of hammered dulcimerists, who perform around Western New York. Some of her many albums are Ornaments—Music for Christmas, Be Thou My Vision—Favorite Hymns for Dulcimer and St. Patrick's Day in the Morning—Music of Irish Inspiration. For ten years, Collins hosted Sounds Like Fun, a children's radio show on WXXI-FM in Rochester, New York. Collins is president of Sampler Records Ltd. in Rochester, New York. She is also on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music, and she teaches several classes, including hammered dulcimer classes, at the Eastman Community Music School.