Mike Mueller Saturday 11:00a Event Area K Workshop: Instruments: ALL Level: ALL “How to assemble a successful music performance for children” Mike will perform and give instructions on how to create a music program for children and adults that is marketable. Put your new autoharp skills towards profit! Not only is it easy, but fun to do! Several instruments will be displayed and many good ideas will be shared. View Complete Schedule See Area Layout & Map

Mike was born in the State of Washington and moved to California in the 1960’s. In the fifth grade, Mike first became aware of an odd instrument that his classroom teacher, Mrs. Jane Calloway, was playing. “It was an old Oscar Schmidt A-model. She would place it on her desk and strum it cross-handed and sings songs to us. Eventually, she got the class to sing with her. She’d strum and strum that old autoharp. It was absolutely beautiful.”

His best musical education came from his family, as old vinyl records were played throughout the house: Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Jesse Fuller, Brownie McGee & Sonny Terry, the Incredible String Band, the Hackberry Ramblers, the Beatles, Doc Watson, the Carter Family, Ed Haley, and many, many others. “The family was involved in the old San Joaquin Valley Fiddlers’ Association, and would travel to Weiser, Idaho each year for the national fiddle championship. A young Mark O’Connor won several years in a row.”

In 1988, Mike became a teacher with the Migrant Education program, and looked into buying an autoharp to play, just like his old fifth grade teacher. The local music store had one in stock. He asked if there was anyone around who could teach it. “Oh, yeah,” said the clerk, “a guy named Evo Bluestein could do that.” Unfortunately, Mike did not buy the harp that day. But fate would come back 11 years later.

In 1999, Mike was the Director of State & Federal Programs for Mendota Unified when an invoice came from the high school. It was to be paid to one “Evo Bluestein.” Hey, that was the guy mentioned at the music store! So Mike gave Evo and call and soon Evo was booked to play in a summer school program. Evo gave his instrument variety show, and played his banjo, dulcimer, autoharp, whistles, and guitar. A partnership soon became from this meeting, and in July, 1999, Mike picked up his first autoharp to play. It was only 28 years after the fifth grade!

Eventually, Mike got to where his sounded pretty good, and picked up the dulcimer, psaltery, and banjo, too! He started to play shows in classrooms and was soon in demand. He has worked with the Fresno County Library Youth Services, reading stories and playing music for the last two years. The music from his youth all started to flow out – the songs and tunes that he remembered so well was soon coming out through his fingers. Mike started a fine arts program at Mendota Unified so that school children could also experience music, dance, drama, and choir. The music approach was American traditional: guitar, banjo, dulcimer, autoharp, hammered dulcimer, fiddle, and mandolin.

Mike, Evo, and Adam Miller created the California Autoharp Gathering from the concept of developing a music festival for Mendota Unified students to participate. In 2005, the festival will move to the St. Nicholas Ranch, a summer campsite where adults can have lodging space and kids can participate in music workshops and camp activities. The philosophy is legacy passing from generation to generation. The festival has been very successful!