Biography In January 2010 Dyann Arthur, independent folklorist, musicologist and Berklee College of Music alumni (BA 1980 Magna cum laude) founded MusicBox Project (“MBP”) a non-profit corporation in the state of Washington, whose mission it is to document and preserve our musical history while advancing music education and avenues of creation and performance. Dyann and husband Rick Arthur conducted field recordings most of 2010 for a collection of oral histories and performances of women instrumentalists (not vocalists per se) in traditional genres of American Roots Music, especially those with familial and geographic ties to the tradition who are currently active in their musical endeavors. MBP is highlighting the stories of these women musicians, gendered discussions on education and performance, and the creative strategies these artists use in navigating challenges to making traditional music, while integrating their contributions into the twenty first century and onto the World Wide Web.
Biography Based in the GLBT community, Puddletown Squares is Seattle's only remaining multi-dance level square dance group. Casual Attire. Contemporary Music Mix. Gender-Neutral Partnering. we are... Square Dancing. Outside the Box!
Biography Nadia Tarnawsky has been studying Eastern European singing techniques for nearly two decades with Ukrainian singers Mariana Sadowska, Lilia Pavlovska, Albanian singer Merita Halili, and Bulgarian singers Maria Bebelekova and Donka Koleva. She has taught workshops in Ukrainian village-style singing for the Center of Traditional Music and Dance (NYC).
Biography Val Rogers is a musical seeker, a connector, bridge-builder, and passionate organizer working to expand and enrich the community singing experience. Val’s devotion to learning and sharing the choral music of southern Africa is driven by the powerful experience of joy it generates among participants. The music delivers the gift of community through singing. Val's choral directing experience includes church choirs, the Eugene Peace Choir, and the world-music focused Potluck Chorus. Val founded and for years produced the Community Choir Conspiracy showcase at the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle. She regularly sponsors world music camps, concerts, and workshops near her hometown of Eugene, Oregon and travels the west coast offering South African choral workshops and clinics.
Biography Steve and Mimi have been teaching beginning jamming and Learn a Tune workshop for several years now. They enjoy helping folks participate in Folklife!
Biography Maldon Meehan is a performer, teacher and choreograhper of Irish sean-nĂłs and set dance. Maldon holds a BA in Irish Studies/Theater Arts from The Evergreen State College and a MA in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick, Ireland. She has been teaching since 1994. She is a 2008 Regional Arts and Cultures grant recipient. As a sean-nĂłs dancer Maldon has appeared on the nationally televised 2005 Oireachtas at the Cork Opera House in Cork City (TG4) as well as on Connemara Community Radio and RaidiĂł na Gaeltachta (RTÉ). Maldon placed 3rd in the 2005 ComĂłrtas ChĂłilĂn Sheáin Dharach, a sean-nĂłs jig competition held annually in Connemara. In 2005 Maldon and Ronan Regan released an instructional DVD of sean-nĂłs dance. Today the DVD has been sold in more than 17 countries.
Biography We are a non-audition community choir based in Ballard, hence our name. We are in our sixth season and perform our repertoire as diverse as our Seattle community.
Biography John Palmes is a Juneau, Alaska folk musician who plays a mix of traditional folk music and songs he makes up from everyday experience. “I’d rather sing with people than for people. Lately, I’ve been concentrating on songs that we can sing together.” John is known for his innovative playing of the mouthbow, the world’s first stringed instrument (Google “mouthbow”). His album, Mouthbow:Small Voices was featured on National Public Radio. John’s songwriting and his song “The Ballad of Ramblin’ Jack Pachelbel” was featured on All Things Considered in the “What’s in a Song?” series. John performs regularly at the Northwest Folklife Festival, the Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau, and the Fisher Poet’s Gathering in Astoria, Oregon, and is the musical director of the Tlingit Gospel Singers, singing traditional hymns in the Tlingit language. In 2003 and 2005 he played at the Australia National Folk Festival, and in 2007 John played at the Cygnet, and Georgetown Folk Festivals in Tasmania. He has been on the board of the National Jew’s Harp Festival held in Bay City Oregon.
Biography We are a group of dancers, many who have danced for decades, who started dancing at the Russian Center on Capitol Hill two years ago. We dance every Friday evening from 8:30 - 11:00pm with teaching from 7:30 - 8:30.
Biography MaryLee Lykes have taught dance classes, workshop & special events for 20 years in Seattle. Cajun & Zydeco are her favorite forms to teach and dance to. Come share the Joy!
Biography Performing on a variety of native flutes, Peter Ali, a talented and self taught native flute player, will share stories of the flutes he plays and of his rich ethnic heritage. Peter plays the flutes not from notes but from spirit within, so each performance is unique and special. Come listen to the sounds of eagle, running river, nature and spirit in the flute's song.
Biography Camp Fire USA has served youth and families for more than 100 years. Camps are camping have been an important part of our programs. At camp, we sing!
Biography Ken is a founding member of Portland Storytellers Guild (25 yrs) and Barb was among the first to join the Guild. We have told stories and taught workshops on storytelling for over 20 years. Ken won 2nd lace trophy at the 2011 Liars' Contest.
Biography Barbara Dunn, PhD, LICSW, MT-BC is is an accomplished musician and an experienced workshop facilitator. She has a doctorate in conflict transformation and music and is also a clinical social worker and music therapist. Two CDs to her credit are "The Sparrow Takes Flight" and "You Are A Song."
Biography GFS has been building musical fellowship in their community with monthly sing-a-longs since 1986, and have evolved into a place where singers of any age or ability can gather in a supportive, easy-going environment for the simple pleasure of singing along with others. We have been sharing the neighborhood group singing experience with NWFL audiences for over 17 years.
Biography The Beaconettes are an award winning all female acapella group that sings old favorites from different genres with a new twist: updated clever and humorous lyrics about the topics that interest us.
Biography Rick Fogel is a distinguished hammer dulcimer performer, luthier and teacher. At festivals and venues across the country, Rick displays virtuosity in his performance of classical, traditional, Celtic, and original compositions.
Biography Dan Maher originally fell in love with folk music as a teenager growing up in Spokane. A celebrated musician, he actually began his career in music during his college years at Washington State University, performing covers of the Eagles and Neil Young in venues around the area. His love for folk eventually led to his involvement with public radio as the host of what has come to be the weekly three-hour folk music radio show, Inland Folk, which is approaching its 31st year on the air. He is his own producer, editor and engineer for the show. Having collected over three decades worth of folk music, Dan now eagerly makes the transition to the digital age. He likes the change to digital mainly because it makes it easier to share music, but has to admit that all those years of hauling music back and forth from home for the show has played its part in convincing him. As a student who recently helped him move about five thousand of his old vinyls said, “Nothing musical has a right to be this heavy anymore.” Dan also works full-time for the office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development at WSU, coordinating student and organizational development programs, and is an advisor on multiple committees for ASWSU. In his free time he is an avid baseball fan, and loves listening to Vin Scully’s broadcasts of Dodgers games. Over the years Dan has generously volunteered his time during fund drives as well as offering free concerts in return for public support for both Spokane Public Radio and Northwest Public Radio.
Biography Picked up the guitar at age 12, been playing and singing ever since. This is our 4th year leading this workshop, and we've pushed the space with upwards of 250-300 participants. It's great fun!
Biography Mollie has been dancing since she was 2 1/2 years old. She took group, and later private Indian dance classes in Los Angeles, CA. Further, throughout her dance career, she has traveled to India over 10 times to take private dance lessons and study all the different dance forms. She has been teaching since 1989.
Biography There has been a shape note singing in Seattle for 30 years and counting. Other Shape Note Singing communities have been around for longer than that.
Biography Amy has been collecting play party games and singing dance activities from anyone she can for about 10 years. She's also a music teacher and dance caller.
Biography MossyBack Morris has been performing Morris dances in the Seattle area for over 30 years. The traditions we perform are from the English Cotswold and Welsh Border regions. Morris dances are fun and energetic, involve performing as a team, and provide an opportunity to experience a folk tradition.
Biography Aurora discovered her love of traditional Irish music upon moving to Seattle, from California. She enjoys listening to (and playing along with) recordings of Clare-based fiddlers such as Paddy Canny, P.J. Hayes, James Kelly, and Martin Hayes. Several years ago she was drawn to the slow airs, since these beautiful melodies are older than most reels and jigs. From 2008 - 2010 she competed at the All-Ireland Fleadh (the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann) in Tullamore, Ireland, where in 2009 she placed second in the Fiddle Slow Air competition. She is an experienced fiddle teacher with numerous students age 10 - adult in the Seattle area.
Biography Barbara Dunn has been singing and inspiring others to sing for most of her life. She is an ardent believer in the power of voice and community singing. She is member of the Daughters of Harriet and sings on their recording, “You are a Song” (2009), which features their original chants.
Biography Eileen Little is well known in the NW (and elsewhere) as a first-rate international dance teacher; Arthur is a classical musician who also plays lots of types of bagpipes. Phyllis is also a classical violinist who has come to love the French tunes. Joanna plays several traditional instruments and took up the vielle a roue some years ago.
Biography As this is a non-profit town meeting, a bio doesn't really apply. I can say, however, that our proposed constituent geography be within the Puget Sound area. Our group was formed following the death of Seattle Folk Musician Teresa Morgan last year. We desire that her loss our group inspires us to create a needed service offering hope and assitence to our community Folk Musicians.
Biography With his latest CD, First Song, singer songwriter Stanley Greenthal, stretched musical borders from Celtic Scotland and Brittany to Greece and the Balkans. He sings and plays a constellation of strings - the guitar, bouzouki, laouto and lavta (Greek and Turkish lutes). Stanley has spent many years playing Breton music and meeting musicians from Brittany and the US.
Biography I have performed and taught autoharp throughout the US and Great Britain for many years. At present I play solo concerts, do studio work, play in a folk duo, a folk/rock trio, and a contra dance band. I won the International Autoharp competition in KS and have also wond a number of other contests around the country. One of my greatest joys is teaching players of all ages, who want to play all kinds of music.
Biography Sonny Newman & Patty Leverett have been studying, dancing & teaching Argentine Tango for 25 years individually & together with NW Folklife - it's a musical dance journey of great possibilities & interesting roots..!!
Biography Sol is a retired engineer, a bike leader and a hostel houseparent. He dances and sings and spent some time at Clearwater leading rounds with Pete Seeger.
Biography Wayne Palsson is the host of the Northwest Seaport's monthly chantey sings, and his friends include: Pierre Rose, Jean Geiger, Eric Nelson, Steve Whinihan, Alice Winship, Marek Skoczylas and Cat Fox
Biography Harvey has performed & taught Jewish Music on all levels at Folklife for many years; at camps & schools; at synagogues & festivals and plays accordion & sings in Yiddish with a klezmer band called: The Klez Katz; Harvey also plays accordion and violin with a community klezmer orchestra in Seattle.
Biography The Seattle Raging Grannies were formed in 1995 patterning themselves after the Victoris, B.C. group which was founded 25 years ago. The Grannies sing out thei rsupport for peace and justice while defying stereotypes of gender, age and fashion.
Biography Sean Donovan loves dance and teaching dance, and revels in helping others find sheer joy in movement. Emphasizing positive good fun and playful creativity, Sean communicates the essence of dance and its power to delight and transform us.
Biography Seattle Branch, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society was formed in 1978 to preserve and promote Scottish country dance. It holds classes Sep to Jun, and conducts workshops, dance parties, and performances of Scottish country dance.
Biography I have conducted the Ravenna String Orchestra for 16 years; conducted the Ravenna Second String Orchestra for 11 years. I have performed professionally as a violinist and taught violin and viola for forty years.
Biography Sean Donovan loves dance and teaching dance, and revels in helping others find sheer joy in movement. Emphasizing positive good fun and playful creativity, Sean communicates the essence of dance and its power to delight and transform us.
Biography Mestre Silvio Dos Reis He has dedicated 26 years of his life to Capoeira Angola. He started capoeira with Mestre Rogerio, Belo Horizonte, Brazil in 1986 and as Mestre Jurandir's student he was the leader of International Capoeira Angola Foundation for 10 years. In Belo Horizonte,Brazil, he has taught for social programs created by the city council such as Homeless People and for street kids, named Kids in the Park. There he also taught for a Youth Project created to teach African Brazilian music, drums, and dance known as Tambolele. Since 2004 he has been leading the International Capoeira Angola Foundation, ICAF Seattle, founded in 1997 by Mestre Jurandir, as well as the TESC Capoeira Angola Club at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, which was started by Evergreen students under Mestre Jurandir leadership since 1998. Mestre Silvio Dos Reis has taught at middle and high schools in Seattle and vicinities since 2004 while supporting the development of other ICAF Groups in the USA. He has presented and have been supporting the development of ICAF African Brazilian Community Festivals in Seattle and Olympia.He has been traveling and presenting at conferences in the USA since 2000 untill now.
Biography Ranked among the top ten female barbershop choruses in the world. They are at the forefront of harmony based adult choruses in the national realm.
Biography Sean Donovan loves dance and teaching dance, and revels in helping others find sheer joy in movement. Emphasizing positive good fun and playful creativity, Sean communicates the essence of dance and its power to delight and transform us.
Biography You will work closely with the master performance artist Manimou Camara of the esteemed Ballet Saamato and Merveille d'Afrique. Manimou started his performing career as a drummer and has reached the level of master drummer. This allows him, in a very organic way, to help each dancer gain an understanding of the marriage of drumming, rhythm, and music to African dance.
Biography Have performed in 13 countries, have won 14 music awards in various countries, have 3 original CDs, one film soundtrack. I'm a full-time musician.
Biography Richard Gold founded the Pongo Teen Writing Project, a nonprofit that offers therapeutic poetry programs to adolescents who are homeless, in jail, or in other ways leading difficult lives. Many Pongo authors have suffered childhood trauma, including abuse and exposure to violent death. And many Pongo authors use poetry to communicate about these experiences for the first time. In its 16 years, Pongo has worked with over 5,500 teens, published 13 anthologies, and given away over 12,500 poetry books to distressed youth. The Pongo web site provides therapeutic writing opportunities for youth anywhere, as well as resources for counselors and teachers – www.pongoteenwriting.org . Before founding Pongo, Richard was managing editor of Microsoft Press. Richard’s own poetry, “The Odd Puppet Odyssey,” was published by Black Heron Press in 2003. In 2010, Richard was named a Microsoft Integral Fellow, honored for his work with Pongo, by the Microsoft Alumni Foundation.
Biography Kristen sings with the Fisher Ensemble and teaches private voice lessons and music classes. Nadine is a private voice teacher and has sung in many choirs.
Biography Doug and Ted have been playing the Australian didgeridoo for over 19 years. We have taught workshops and tutorials throughout the Northwest, Alaska and Arizona for over 1600 people. We blend voice and world folk music with the didgeridoo as life long learners and muse monngers of many traditions. This will be our 18th year teaching and performing at NW Folklife. We emphasize an enthusiastic and fun spirit of curiosity and exploration. Over 125 participants attended our workshop at the 2011 Northwest Folklife Festival. We have been the hosts of the annual didgeridoo panel (formerly hosted by Brian Pertl) as we blend didactics and performance in this workshop. Thanks
Biography The Eclectic Cloggers dance group performs a lively style of Southern Appalachian step dancing to traditional Old Time fiddle tunes. The fun they have the rhythms of Appalachia is unique and upbeat. Since 1982, the Eclectic Cloggers have performed at community festivals from Shelton to Shoreline. They are regular entertainers at the Lake Wenatchee State park, the Yakima Folk Festival, the Olalla Bluegrass Festival, the Phinney Winter Festival, The Tumbleweed Music Festival and various community and private events throughout the Northwest. In 1994, the group toured international folkdance festivals in Belgium, Switzerland and Holland. For more information about them go to eclecticcloggers.org
Biography Susan Usher has been dancing the 5Rhyhtms for 18 years. She teaches 5 Rhythms to adults for Christine Havens and volunteers at Echo Glen Children's Center teaching at risk teens. She also has a BS in Social Welfare with an emphasis on community organizing.
Biography For both singers and listeners, the Seattle Peace Chorus provides a unique choral experience. Our commitment to peace and social justice creates a special bond among members and with our audience.
Biography Seattle Salsa professionals give salsa demonstrations of many types of Latin dancing. Michelle and Gustavo will be teaching mini Salsa lessons so everyone can join in.
Biography Seattle Salsa professionals give salsa demonstrations of many types of Latin dancing. Michelle and Gustavo will be teaching mini Salsa lessons so everyone can join in.
Biography Seattle Salsa professionals give salsa demonstrations of many types of Latin dancing. Michelle and Gustavo will be teaching mini Salsa lessons so everyone can join in.
