By Joseph Demasi and Madeline Luke
North Dakota is a state of hidden treasures. It is amazing what you can find here if you know where to look. If you head to Thompson, North Dakota, just a few miles south of Grand Forks, you will find the home and workshop of luthier Kevin Muiderman, a world-renowned maker of beautiful acoustic guitars. Not only does Kevin make guitars here, but once a month he and his wife Amy, a professional chef and culinary teacher, host a house concert in their “living room theater.” Award-winning guitarists and other artists in need of an intimate venue are welcome at the Muiderman Theater.
We had the pleasure to attend a concert at their home on July 31, which was well worth the two-hour drive from Valley City. Their living room theater has a stage, sound system and lighting and comfortably sat the 25–30 people present.
It was a rare treat to enjoy world famous fingerstyle guitarist Larry Pattis’s impeccable technique and very personal musical stories. He currently lives in Oregon but grew up in the Chicago area. Larry was named one of the “Top 10 Best Acoustic Music Artists of the Decade” by the International Acoustic Music Awards and has headlined at many venues including the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Muiderman was born in Michigan and worked for many years as a facial reconstruction surgeon in Wisconsin and then North Dakota. However, he always had a love for guitars and music from a very early age and talked about coming home from rounds at the hospital to play his guitar. When he finally retired from medicine, his passion for music led him to the study of creating innovative acoustic guitars, while also playing music himself and supporting other musicians. He has made guitars for such people as folk guitar legend John Doyle, bassist Mike Gordon of Phish, Leo Kottke and rock icon Willy Porter.
We strongly encourage you to visit his website muidermanguitars.com, attend a concert at the Muiderman Theatre and have a look around. You will be warmly welcomed by both Kevin and Amy and you will be impressed by the guitars he is building. The next concert is on October 23 with folk/blues artist Jeffery Foucoult. Tickets are $25 and can be bought through muidermanguitars.com. With any luck, Amy will put out another bowl of black bean guacamole and/or homemade toffee cookies!
