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Belgian-born Paul Oorts performs on harp guitar, 10-string cittern, mandolin, and musette accordion most often with his wife, hammered dulcimer player Karen Ashbrook. 

He is very active in the world of English, Contra, and Vintage dances in the DC-Baltimore area.   With Goldcrest he has performed at dance events all over the US and on tour in Scotland.

As a teacher or staff musician, he has been on faculty at the Augusta Heritage Center (WV) the Swannanoa Gathering (NC), Common Ground on the Hill (MD), Kentucky Music Week, Pinewoods (MA), Timber Ridge (WV), Hill County Acoustic Music Camp (TX), and the Volksmuziekstage in Gooik (Belgium). 


During the academic year, Dr. Oorts teaches Italian and French at the Peabody Institute and Loyola University in Baltimore.