You can find Dutch Van Deuchen around Central City on most days. Dutch is involved with many community entities and has found a niche since moving to the mountains in 2009.

Dutch plays for many events in town on keyboard and guitar. He has operated the open stage at the Elks Club and Charlie’s Bar and has played most recently at the Belvidere Pocket Park Grand Opening and plays occasionally at the Levit Street Market on Sundays.

Dutch took piano lessons in high school and college where he studied classical music. He also took a few guitar lessons but continued to learn on his own. He eventually joined a songwriting group at Swallow Hill and began to create his own songs and honed his performance skills at open stages around Denver. He learned if you could get in front of a crowd and sing, you can do anything.

These days he performs his original music locally. He mimics the classical composers of Rachmaninoff and Bach, but mainly plays with sound. He will improvise what he feels into the music for that moment and use a variety of different key signatures and chord changes.

Local musician loves Central City life Above, left; Dutch came from California and eventually ended up in Central City. Above, right; Dutch in character for the musical Call Me Ned at the Stables in Central City. Bottom, left; A collection of clocks for sale at the shop above the Visitor’s Center in Central City.[/caption]

Dutch loves to play in the spur of the moment and not be tied down to a piece of music. “I can’t think about the music, I just do it. It’s very freeing that way. If I think too much about the music, my fingers don’t react quick enough.” Dutch likes to record background tracks of drums, bass and piano and play along with his guitar and add vocals. He would eventually like to record his original songs.

Dutch was born in Burbank, California, and grew up in the San Fernando Valley. He came to Colorado in the 1970s and attended Regis College where he studied history, medicine and education. He obtained a teaching certificate in elementary education. He moved to San Diego for 13 years and obtained an IT Certificate and worked for a school district in California. He returned to Colorado and worked in the IT department at University and Children’s Hospital until he retired. He bought property in Idaho Springs, Georgetown and Central City and ended up living in Central City permanently.

Dutch has become an active member in the community. He is on the Historic Preservation Committee and has served on the Planning Commission in Central City. He recently opened a business above the Visitor’s Center where he has a collection of clocks and other vintage items.

Dutch thinks Central City is an amazing place to live. He likes the diversity of a party atmosphere at the casinos in contrast with a smalltown feel. He thinks there is always something interesting to do and likes to visit the art gallery, Teller House, casinos and Dostal Alley. He thinks the scenery is beautiful and the people are great and plans to continue being involved with his community in the future.