Les Gustafson-Zook, from Goshen, Indiana, is a popular autoharp instructor, performer and multi-instrumentalist at festivals and music schools across the U.S. He’s an engaging entertainer, having performed in elementary schools for over 20 years introducing traditional instruments and music to multi-generational audiences with a presentation of Songs of the Pioneers. More recently, Les added a variety of homemade novelty instruments to his concerts, bringing rhythm, smiles, and intrigue to all ages. Les is the 2001 and 2018 International Autoharp Champion at Winfield, KS, the 1989 National Autoharp Champion, and the 2023 Mountain Laurel Autoharp Champion. In 2014 he was inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame. Les is known for his patient, clear, and encouraging teaching style, his fast clean picking of fiddle tunes, his energetic and entertaining performances, and his creative arrangements of hymns, waltzes, jazz classics, and Christmas carols. Les has recorded six CDs and has three books of arrangements for autoharp. He’s also a core member of the contradance band, Band o’ Goshen, and is often joined on stage by his wife Gwen on guitar and vocals. When not doing music, you’ll find Les and Gwen chasing discs on the local disc golf course.