Les is known nationally for his expressive and energetic autoharp playing. One of the world’s leading autoharp players, he’s performed and given autoharp workshops at festivals across the country, including:

• Augusta Heritage Center, Elkins, WV
• Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering, Newport, PA
• Mini Mountain Laurel Concert Series, Newport, PA
• John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC
• Evart Dulcimer Funfest, Evart, MI
• Sore Fingers Week, Chipping Norton, UK
• Kentucky Music Week, Bardstown, KY
• Ozark Folk Center, Mountain View, AR
• Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield, KS
• Northwest Folklife Festival, Seattle, WA
• California Autoharp Gathering, Dunlap, CA
• Cranberry Dulcimer Gathering, Binghamton, NY
• Northwest Autoharp Gathering, North Bend, WA
• Willamette Valley Autoharp Gathering, Salem, OR

Les is the 2001 and 2018 International Autoharp Champion at Winfield, Kansas and the 1989 National Autoharp Champion. He’s also the 2023 Winner of the prestigious Mountain Laurel Autoharp Championships and was inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame in 2014. Before moving to Indiana, he taught autoharp for five years at Linn Benton Community College in Corvallis, OR and helped found and lead the Willamette Valley Autoharp Gathering during it’s 20 year history. Les also gives private lessons online and in his studio in Goshen, IN.

A seasoned performer with children, Les brings a car load of acoustic musical instruments to your school, introduces each instrument with some of it’s history, and sings songs that capture and hold the attention of K-6 students for 55 exciting and entertaining minutes. One music teacher from Ohio describes it this way:

“Your program was just wonderful!! You are bringing back the folk music all children should know and love, and do it in such a fun way that the children can’t help but love it!!”

It’s a great way to introduce students to some of the variety of folk instruments in the American tradition, as well as challenging them to work cooperatively and creatively to make their own musical entertainment. Students are involved in the presentation through questions, encouragement to sing and by joining Les on stage to providing rhythmic accompaniment on a variety of songs.

Instruments include:
guitar, autoharp, mandolin, mtn. dulcimer, banjo, bowed psaltry, fiddle, ukelele, jew’s harp, bass, harmonica, spoons, & limberjack.

Also available for day-long residencies in your school, which could include smaller group presentations with question times and an evening concert for families. This presentation is very appealing for special intergenerational events, such as grandparents days. The music touches all generations for a fun group activity.

For further information or bookings, contact Les.

Les will be teaching and performing at the following events

• June 22 – 27, 2025
  • Kentucky Music Week
  • Bardstown, KY
  • http://kentuckymusicweek.com

• June 29 – July 5, 2025
  • John C. Campbell Beginning Autoharp Class
  • Brasstown, NC
  • www.folkschool.com
• July 16 – 19, 2025
  • Original Dulcimer Players Club Funfest
  • Evart, MI
  • http://evartdulcimerfest.org/

Les is sometimes joined by his wife, Gwen, to perform for coffeehouses, festivals, churches and concerts. Gwen plays guitar and sings both lead and harmony as they form an entertaining and energetic folk duo. They emphasize family entertainment, with a combination of stories and songs that keep all ages entertained.

Their music reflects values gained in years of work with the Mennonite Central Committee in locations including Atlanta, Denver, Portland, and Kingston Jamaica, doing relief and service work with the Mennonite Church. Gwen is a licensed Mennonite pastor and Spiritual Director and Les is the Relief Sale Coordinator for the Mennonite Central Committee.

Besides performing music, Gwen and Les make up an effective worship/resource team, leading singing and speaking for church retreats, conferences and camps. Combining music, storytelling and multigenerational group experiences with an emphasis on love for God and all of creation, Gwen and Les have been highly valued resource people for church groups. Contact them for available dates for your retreat or event.

“Home” A recording of Les & Gwen singing gospel & folk songs, old and new. Autoharp is featured, and includes guitar, mandolin, jaw harp and bass. CD – $20 or available digitally on Bandcamp.
“Finger Pickin’ Pals” A recording of instrumental waltzes and fiddle tunes on autoharp and guitar, with Ray Frank playing guitar. CD – $20 or available digitally on Bandcamp.
“Gather at the River” A recording of instrumental hymns on autoharp, guitar and bass with Jon ten Broek on guitar. CD – $20 or available digitally on Bandcamp.
“Cascade Noel” A recording of instrumental Christmas carols on autoharp and guitar, with Jon ten Broek playing guitar. CD – $20 or available digitally on Bandcamp.
“Long Time Traveling” A recording with Les and Gwen, singing contemporary and traditional folk music. Autoharp is featured, and includes guitar, mandolin, jaw harp and bass. CD – $20 or or available digitally on Bandcamp.
“Skip To My Lou” Songs of the Pioneers features Les on a variety of instruments. It reflects the music performed in Les’ elementary school assembly. Les plays the autoharp, bass, mandolin, dulcimer, ukelele, jews harp, guitar, banjo, bowed psaltry and more. He’s joined on a number of tracks by Edwin Layer, playing the fiddle. CD – $20, or available digitally on Bandcamp.

Books

“Autoharp Hymnal”
30 favorite hymns arranged for intermediate autoharp players. Book & CD – $25
Available as a digital download with pdfs and mp3s for $20

“Autoharp Christmas“
34 favorite Christmas carols arranged for intermediate autoharp players. Book & CD – $25
Available as a digital download with pdfs and mp3s for $20

“Fiddle Tune Playalong”
30 favorite fiddle tunes arranged for autoharp with beginning melody versions and more complex versions wonderfully accompanied on guitar by Ray Frank.
Available as a digital download only with pdfs and 60-mp3s for $20

Please contact Les for book download details. Payment can be made by Paypal (les@gustafsonzook.com), Venmo (@lesgustafsonzook). If mailing a check, contact Les for mailing address.

Recordings are also available as digital downloads at BandCamp.com.

Bio:

Les Gustafson-Zook has been a popular autoharp instructor, performer and multi-instrumentalist at festivals and music schools across the U. S. since 1990.  He’s an engaging entertainer, having performed in elementary schools for over 20 years introducing traditional instruments and music to multi-generation audiences with a presentation of Songs of the Pioneers. More recently, Les has been performing with a variety of homemade novelty instruments, bringing smiles and intrigue to all ages. Les is the 2001 and 2018 International Autoharp Champion at Winfield, KS, the 2023 Winner of the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Championships as well as the 1989 National Autoharp Champion. In 2014 he was inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame. 

He has taught at Augusta Heritage Center, John C. Campbell Folk School, Kentucky Music Week, Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering, Walnut Valley Festival, Sore Fingers Summer School and many other festivals across the U.S. He is known for his patient, clear and encouraging teaching style, his fast, clean picking of fiddle tunes, his energetic performance and for his creative arrangements of hymns, waltzes and Christmas carols.

Les has recorded six CDs, is a core member of a contradance band called Band o’ Goshen and often performs with his wife, Gwen. When not doing music, Les works for Mennonite Central Committee (mcc.org), an international relief, development and peacemaking organization, and chases discs at any disc golf course he can find.