Biography Seattle Song circle is a tradition dating to the Second Northwest Folklife Festival 40 years ago. A core group of folksingers decided that once a year was not enough, so Seattle Song Circle was born. We are a very loosely organized group of folks that gather most every Sunday evening to sing, harmonize, play along or just listen. The group varies in size from a half dozen to perhaps twenty, so the music we create together can raise the rafters. Instruments are welcome and vary from kazoo to folk harp. Much of the material is traditional, some is contemporary and quite a few have written their own as well. The sole intention is to share and enjoy one another's music and company.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 As Andy Kershaw of BBC has said: "If the great Phil Ochs were to rise from the dead today, he would probably be hailed as the new David Rovics."
Biography Jim Page was named by Seattle Metropolitan Magazine as “One Of The 50 Most Influential Musicians In Seattle History.” Having recorded 21 albums over the course of a 40-plus year career and written a mountain of songs Page is a force to be reckoned with. Originally a California native Jim Page has called Seattle and the Pacific Northwest “home” since 1971. His songs have been covered by The Doobie Brothers, Christy Moore, Dick Gaughan, Michael Hedges, and Roy Bailey. He has toured in 13 countries including the US, Canada, Ireland, the UK, most of northern Europe, and Taiwan. Renowned lyricist Robert Hunter says, “If Jim Page ain’t the bastard son of Woody Guthrie I’m T-Bone Walker,” and Bonnie Raitt says, “I'm a longtime admirer.” The late Utah Phillips said it best: “If you’re ever going to get the message, this is the messenger to get it from.”
Biography Nina Laboy is a graduate of Fordham University School of Drama and the NYC American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She has a long list of credits performing Latin Jazz, folk and musical theatre. She is a social justice activists who has performed for many community events.
Biography Poet and storyteller Chris Chandler is as hilarious and entertaining as he is provocative and rabble-rousing, delivering vignettes about politics and modern culture with the fire of a Baptist Preacher. His appearances are insightful tales of a world gone slightly mad, accompanied by a wide variety of musical styles. He has performed on thousands of stages across North America, working with such legendary figures as Allen Ginsberg, Pete Seeger, Mojo Nixon and Ani DiFranco. The late great Utah Phillips called Chris "the best performance poet I have ever seen."
Biography From her experiences listening to conservative voices in Eastern Washington to her life-changing work filming and recording voices from post-conflict countries like Rwanda and Bosnia, Kaeley Pruitt-Hamm uses her voice to think out loud through music. Art and activism go hand in hand for this band.
Biography Long time political activist and musician in Seattle. Now Occupying herself full time with OccupyOakland in California. singer/songwriter/recording artist, Laura Love
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 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 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 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.
