Rhonda Gouge is an Appalachian musician, performer, and teacher specializing in gospel, folk, bluegrass, old-time, and blues styles. She has been teaching in the Blue Ridge community of Ledger, in Mitchell County NC for many years. One of her earliest musical mentors was renowned banjo and fiddler player Oscar “Red” Wilson. Rhonda worked with him for many years as a recording session musician and toured with his band the Toe River Valley Boys. Since then, Rhonda has taught thousands of students young and old how to play the traditional music of the Western North Carolina Blueridge. In 2023, she was honored to receive a North Carolina Heritage Award for her enormous contribution as a musical tradition-bearer.

Rhonda loves to play old songs and tunes and create new arrangements of older music. She has deep roots in the Western NC Blue Ridge Mountains and treasures the rich history and culture of her home community. She has strong faith and credits God for sustaining her and blessing her with the ability to play and share music with others. One of her main joys in life is seeing her music students reach their musical goals and perform for others.