Dakota Karper is an Appalachian folk musician and educator dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich traditions of West Virginia’s old-time music. Raised in rural West Virginia, she grew up immersed in fiddle tunes, and community music-making, studying under master fiddler Joe Herrmann and further honing her craft at the Augusta Heritage Center and Shenandoah Arts Academy. Her music weaves original compositions with traditional melodies, reflecting a deep connection to her Appalachian roots and to the communities that keep this music alive.

In addition to performing at venues ranging from intimate house concerts to regional festivals, Dakota teaches fiddle and banjo at The Cat and The Fiddle, the folk music school she founded in 2019 to foster a welcoming, intergenerational space for learning Appalachian music. She also teaches at traditional music camps including Augusta Heritage Center and Common Ground on the Hill, sharing repertoire and techniques with students of all ages. Her performance life has included playing with bands such as Short Mountain String Band, Hay Fever, and Vandalia, and she has released five albums. 

Dakota is a committed community organizer and cultural worker. In 2023, she became the executive director of the Cacapon Music & Dance Foundation, a nonprofit she co-founded to expand youth music scholarships, community events, and folklife programs across the region. Through these initiatives and her ongoing work as a performer and teacher, she supports the continued vitality, creativity, and accessibility of Appalachian music and culture.