Rita was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She has lived in Medina County for about 12 years.

Rita has been playing the mountain dulcimer, mandolin for about 5-6 years, and started playing the Celtic harp three years ago.She also plays some fiddle, penny whistle, keyboard, bouzouki, bodhran, spoons...

Rita has joined Mixed-Up-Strings in 2000. She also plays with the Wayne County Mountain Dulcimer Players, the Mountain Dulcimer Ensemble, Hummingbird Harpers, Northeast Ohio Harpers, and at her church's ensemble where she directs the annual Christmas concert (Grace Community Fellowship).

She offers lessons for beginning to intermediate mountain dulcimer, and beginning folk harp.

Check out her website at: http://home.neo.rr.com/schrimpf/rita/

She and her husband, Gary, have a daughter, Iris, and granddaughters Kelsey Lynn 5-1/2 yrs, and Sydney Elizabeth born 2-28-06.

"I have always loved music (who hasn't), but didn't receive any encouragement to actually play an instrument in my youth. I bought my mountain dulcimer in 1999, and had no clue how to play it until I met Vici at a festival and began playing with MUS. Which led to all the other musical stuff in my life. Music is fun and addictive - in a very good way! I found that playing music on acoustic instruments is very healing. Although I have fibromyalgia, I am no longer living in pain!! I attribute a lot of this healing from pain to acoustic music. Now I am studying to become a Certified Music Practitioner (CMP) to bring healing to the ill and dying. Visit my website for more info about the therapeutic effects of music.
My life is full of joy and busy with family and friends. In addition to musical activities, I enjoy mentoring other Christians in their spiritual journey. I squeeze in some sewing every now and then. And also have fun meeting women to whom I teach skin care using Mary Kay skin care products. 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.'"