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Office

Staff

Walt Michael

Founder & Executive Director and Program Director

Staff member since 1994

Duties include artistic direction, curriculum development, supervision of instructors, college relations, board relations, external relations, staff supervision.

Considered to be a virtuoso of tremendous influence in the revival of the hammered dulcimer, Walt’s wide repertoire ranges from old-time Southern Appalachian, to Celtic, to original compositions. His various musical incarnations, including Bottle Hill, Michael, McCreesh & Campbell and Walt Michael & Co. have taken him from the coal camps of Appalachia to the Closing Ceremonies of the 13th Olympic Winter Games. As a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist he has recorded fourteen albums, appeared at the Lincoln and Kennedy Centers and toured internationally. His music has been heard on ABC-TV, NBC’s Tonight Show, Broadway, BBC, TNN, CBC and PBS. Walt is the Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Common Ground on the Hill, and the Artist in Residence at McDaniel College.

Maria Wong

Director of Promotions and Development

Staff member since 2013

Duties include web management, marketing, catalog and flier development, community outreach.

Maria has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Pennsylvania, a B.S. in Speech Pathology from Towson University, and an M.S. in Speech Pathology from the M.G.H. Institute of Health Professions. Prior to joining CGOTH, Maria owned a computer repair business, as well as teaching computer skills to older adults. She was on the Board of the Graduate Institute of Philosophy and a Ruling Elder at Brown Memorial Woodbrook Presbyterian Church and is currently a Ruling Elder at Govans Presbyterian Church. She lives in Baltimore with her husband, two sons, and three cats.

Matthew Vinson

Office Manager

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Directions

DIRECTIONS TO COMMON GROUND ON THE HILL TRADITIONS WEEKS AND EVENING CONCERTS  

Park near admissions lot and follow signs to proceed to Alumni Hall for concerts, or Decker Center for Registration. See map above for details.

DIRECTIONS TO THE ROOTS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL AT mcdaniel college

Location: 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD 21157

Main Parking: Harrison House Parking Lot at McDaniel College map

Handicapped Parking: At McDaniel College Admissions map

From Washington DC/Northern Va:

Washington Beltway 495 to I-270 toward Frederick. Take Exit 16A towards Damascus, Rt. 27 North. Continue 29 miles up to Westminster. Turn left on W. Main Street. At the traffic triangle, stay to the right to continue on W. Main Street, with the brick buildings to your right. Continue 220 feet and turn left into the Harrison House Parking Lot.

From points West:

Take I-70 east to Exit 68 for MD-27 N towards Mt. Airy. Turn left, heading north on Rt. 27. Continue for 16.6 miles to W. Main Street. Turn left on W. Main Street. At the traffic triangle, stay to the right to continue on W. Main Street, with the brick buildings to your right. Continue 220 feet and turn left into the Harrison House Parking Lot.

Heading North on Route 97:

Approaching Westminster, turn left at on W. Main Street. At the traffic triangle, stay to the right to continue on W. Main Street, with the brick buildings to your right. Continue 220 feet and turn left into the Harrison House Parking Lot.

From Baltimore:

Baltimore Beltway 695 to 795 West to 140 West. Drive around Westminster, passing the intersection with Rt. 97. Make a left onto New Windsor Road. Take the first left onto W. Main Street. The entrance to Harrison House Parking Lot will be 0.30 miles, on the right.

From East on 140:

Make a left onto New Windsor Road. Take the first left onto W. Main Street. The entrance to Harrison House Parking Lot will be 0.30 miles, on the right.

Heading South on Route 97 from Gettysburg/Littlestown:

Take Route 140 East. Use the left lane to take the MD-140 W exit towards McDaniel College. Continue onto MD-140 W/College View Blvd for 0.4 mi. Turn left onto New Windsor Rd. Take the first left onto W. Main Street. The entrance to Harrison House Parking Lot will be 0.30 miles, on the right.

DIRECTIONS TO THE ROOTS MUSIC CONCERT SERIES in westminster

Location: Carroll Arts Center Theater, 91 West Main Street, Westminster, Maryland
Phone: 410-848-7272. The Carroll Arts Center is handicap accessible.

From Baltimore:

take the Baltimore Beltway I-695 to Northwest Expressway I-795, continue to its completion. Follow signs to Westminster via Route 140. Once in Westminster, turn left at light/intersection at Center Street, (opposite Westminster Town Mall). Follow Center Street through town, turn right at light/intersection on Main Street, through 4 lights to 91 West Main Street. The Carroll Art Center is to your left. No parking is permitted in the lot just to the left of the theater, but is O.K. along Main Street or in the lot across the street.

From Washington, DC:

From the Washington Beltway (I-495) exit onto I-270 North toward Frederick. Take the Damascus Exit (Father Hurley Blvd) and proceed North on Rt. 27 all the way to Westminster. At the second light in Westminster, turn left at the intersection of Rts. 27 & 32 and drive up Main Street to 91 West Main Street, The Carroll Art Center is to your left. No parking is permitted in the lot just to the left of the theater, but is O.K. along Main Street or in the lot across the street.

From the North:

Take I-95 to I-695 and follow directions from Baltimore. Or, from I-78 take I-81 South to I-83 South, crossing the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg and follow signs to Rt 15 to Gettysburg, turning south on Rt. 97. Follow 97 all the way to Westminster, turning left in order to get onto Rt 140 North. Exit left onto Rt 31 toward New Windsor. Turn left at the second light and proceed to 91 West Main Street. The Carroll Art Center is to your left. No parking is permitted in the lot just to the left of the theater, but is O.K. along Main Street or in the lot across the street.

From the West:

Take I-70 East past Frederick to the Mt. Airy Exit. Turn left on Rt 27 and proceed North all the way to Westminster. At the second light in Westminster, turn left at the intersection of Rts. 27 & 32 and drive up Main Street to 91 West Main Street. The Carroll Art Center is to your left. No parking is permitted in the lot just to the left of the theater, but is O.K. along Main Street or in the lot across the street.​

Join us at Traditions Weeks!

Schedule a week or two, or three! Or, just sprinkle some classes in between other commitments.

Week 1

6/24/24
-
6/28/24
Download Schedule

Week 2

7/7/24
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7/12/24
Download Schedule