Heart Strings

Mickey Sweeney is well-known as an award-winning hammered dulcimer player. Her first career in music resulted in three degrees in music education, followed by 40 years as a pianist and piano teacher.

Mickey Sweeney began playing the hammered dulcimer in the 2010s, which led to a second career teaching, performing, and practicing as a certified Therapeutic Musician in nursing homes. In her spare time, she plays at dulcimer festivals in the Midwest and Southeast and has won first place in several competitions.

Mickey Sweeney encouraged her husband, Dave Sweeney, to join her on his instrument, the bass marimbula. A former high school musician who later simply enjoyed music while working in the corporate world, Dave Sweeney heard a marimbula at a festival he attended with Mickey Sweeney and began playing. Ultimately, he formed a duo with Mickey at her suggestion. Heart Strings was born.

Heart String performs traditional Celtic tunes, with a classical and folk music vibe, made richer by the resonant tones of the marimbula. The March 2026 Celtic Music and Heritage Festival in St. Augustine is the duo’s performance debut.