About

My name is Joshua Messick. I am a composer and performer specializing in the hammered dulcimer.

I first encountered the hammered dulcimer when I was very young, and something about its sound stayed with me. I promised my mother I would learn to play it, and I meant it. That promise set me on a lifelong path with an instrument that continues to shape how I hear music, tell stories, and connect with people.

Over the past three decades, the hammered dulcimer has taken me around the world. I have performed throughout the United States, Japan, South Korea, India, and Thailand, appeared as a soloist, collaborated with orchestras, and recorded for film, television, and video game soundtracks. My playing can be heard on projects such as God of War Ragnarök, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and Mary and the Witch’s Flower. I have also released multiple albums of original music, arrangements, and seasonal works, all centered on the expressive possibilities of this instrument.

Faith and family are central to my life and my work. Music does not own me, and I do not own music. It belongs to God, and through it I experience His love, hope, and healing. My wife, Stephanie, and our daughter, Harper, are two of the greatest gifts I have been given.

Much of my work is guided by a desire to show what the hammered dulcimer can truly do. It is often thought of as a niche or historical instrument, but in reality it is deeply versatile, capable of subtlety, power, and emotional depth. Whether I am composing, performing, or recording, my goal is to honor the instrument while expanding how it is understood and heard.

I strive to create music that is honest and beautiful, music that invites listeners to slow down and listen more closely. Whether you are new to the hammered dulcimer or have been listening for years, I am truly grateful you are here.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my work.

— Joshua Messick