Tina Gugeler

2015 - Tina Gugler, a musician and artist from Erie, CO, placed first in the competition. When asked how many times she has entered this contest she said too numerous to mention. Actually it is about 22 years that she has been coming to the Walnut Valley Festival. In this contest how’s this for a list of placing: 1st Place in 2015 & 2000, 2nd Place in 2013, 2010 & 1999, and 3rd Place in 2012, 2007 & 1998.

Tina says she has been playing the hammer dulcimer for nearly 30 years. When it was announced that she was the winner, her comment was, “You’re kidding me” and the tears came to her eyes. She also plays the bodhran. Some other interests of Tina’s include polymer clay jewelry making and going rafting with her husband. One of her favorite things to do at the Festival is to jam at the Carp Camp.

As the 1st Place Champ, Tina won a check for $125, the 1st Place Trophy and a Master Works Russell Cook Edition Extended Range Hammer Dulcimer RCEXR 17/17 by Master Works of Bennington, OK.