Donald DePoy
Augusta County | Teaching and Performing Artist
Areas of Expertise:(Histroy and Music) Appalachia Music, Mountain Music, Bluegrass Music, Old-Time Music, Modern OldTime,
About Me
Don DePoy and Martha Hills are flame keepers of ‘real’ authentic music making. They are national treasures of America’s Mountain Music, which includes bluegrass, old-time, folk, rural swing, and classic country. Steeped in the tradition of improvised art and performing as Me & Martha, they create a space where everyone can experience musical art as unfolding stories that comfort and entertain. From concert halls to street busking, they captivate audiences with spontaneous and often amusing banter, backed up by amazing vocal and instrument virtuosity.
For more than five decades, Don has made it his mission to promoted local musicians through concerts, festivals, jams, recordings, museum exhibits and television programs. He holds a PhD specializing in American Music and has made substantial contributions to preserving Appalachian music. He is on faculty in the Music Department at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he teaches all bluegrass instruments except fiddle.
Joining Don in 2000 Martha has strengthened their commitment to the music community. They are members of America’s Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame and are on the traditional artist rosters of Young Audiences of Virginia and Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Teaching Style
I hold a Master's in Education (Social Studies). I have been teaching music lessons since I was 15 — I traded flying lessons for guitar lessons. Music is hands-on and I teach to specific student needs while supporting and advancing his/her musical journey. Here's a Reflection Note from a former student at EMU:
“I’ve had so much fun taking banjo lessons my sophomore and senior year. At first, I was taking them on a bit of a whim, but learning how to play the banjo better was such a fun challenge that I kept going. With the other instruments I’ve spent time with, I usually really enjoy playing songs once I’ve mastered them but don’t enjoy the process of getting there. With the banjo, learning songs has been just as much fun as playing them once I’ve got them closer to down.
One place I’ve seen improvement in my playing is in my ability to pick up songs quickly. I’m realizing how much banjo music is made up of the same patterns, and once I’ve mastered a pattern or a lick or a roll in one song, the next song is easy to figure out. I also think that these lessons have helped me be able to hold a longer phrase of music in my head before playing it back, which has served me well in choir as well.
Another thing that I’ve noticed changing over this year is how comfortable I am playing in front of other people. The first semester I was taking lessons, our “final exam jam” was still fun, but made me pretty nervous and I wasn’t able to play very well, even on songs that I knew. This year, I was just having fun with our jam and felt much more comfortable playing with Don and Martha and being recorded. Additionally, it’s a lot easier for me to play for friends now. Overall, I’m very grateful for the chance to take these lessons and have learned a lot. I will keep playing the banjo and learning new songs, and I believe the skills I’ve learned will serve me well in life!”
Available By
FaceTime, Facebook Messenger
Payments Accepted
Venmo, Invoice
Additional Work
Some Supplies You Might Need
Music Maker's Guide Book ($25) and specific hand-outs are provided free.
Video/audio recorder (phone?) - crucial to keep all the information in a lesson for non-synchronous replay.
Work Sample
Minimum Performance Rate
Our card rate is $750 for the first hour. We always work with promoters and venues to ensure that our rates fit within their budget.
Technical and Venue Requirements
one power receptical, level stage, outdoor with cover.
