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Our Performers
A-E | F-J | K-L | M-P | Q-Z
Libby Franck, a freelance storyteller and former school librarian hosted the award-winning cable TV show Tales from Cricket Corner, on the air in Natick for 13 years. Her myths, legends and folk tales frequently feature intrepid heroines. She seeks out strong, daring and unusual women of history to research and dramatize. Her new CD "Women of the Sea" has two such tales: The Girl from Botany Bay which tells of Mary Bryant, a British convict who led a near-impossible sea escape from the Australian penal colony, Botany Bay, in 1791 and Fearless Pirate Maids. She also tells of Agnes Surriage of Colonial Massachusetts, the fisherman's daughter from Marblehead who married an English baronet. She has performed at Boston First Night, Three Apples Festival, Blanchards Tavern, Hostess House in Marion, Indiana, and in schools, libraries, museums, folk clubs and festivals. Libby is currently the hostess of the bimonthly program The OutSpoken Word in Natick. See www.libbyfranck.com.
Logan studied classical guitar with Jose Lezcano and Ted Mann at Keene State College and currently studies with Frank Wallace of Duo LiveOak in Antrim, NH. In 2002 his composition "We Will Never Forget," for soprano and piano, took second prize in the Hildebrandt Award. He is currently celebrating the release of his new recording "Logan L. Gabriel: Original Music for Solo Guitar" which will be available for purchase or by mail order from his website http://www.gileadwebservices.com/logan. He is working on a follow-up recording of the music of Sylvius Leopold Weiss and Johann Kaspar Mertz. Earlier this year Logan's arrangements of 120 Chorales of Johann Sebastian Bach were published by Productions d'Oz of Quebec.
Mary Graham of Wilton teaches and plays music on the Irish harp. Mary has traveled to Ireland to study the music and organized workshops and concerts with harpists such as Grainne Hambley in the Peterborough area. For more information write Mary Graham mcgraham@mac.com.
A local powerhouse singer/songwriter and percussionist, Tara Greenblatt performs original progressive contemporary folk songs centered around storytelling, swirled with infectious instrumentation by her band and backed by African djembe drum played by Tara herself. Band members include Brian Potts on acoustic guitar, Richard Hodges on electric bass, and Wendy Wetherbee singing harmonies. Her second CD, entitled River Belly, is fresh off the presses and available for sale. For more information about Tara Greenblatt and her music please visit www.cdbaby.com/cd/greenblatt or call 603-878-1409 for more information.
Halcyon, a Peterborough-based vocal ensemble, performs unaccompanied part songs from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, traditional folk music from many sources, as well as powerful contemporary songs. Directed by Nancy Knowles, members include Kate Dean, Elizabeth French, Mary Beth Hallinan, Monica Lehner, and Anne Thomas. Halcyon (pronounced hal-see-on) is named after a bird fabled by the ancients for calming the high seas during the winter solstice by nesting on them. Most of its singers have studied with Knowles for many years. Knowles has been performing and teaching for over 25 years. She performs and records with her husband, guitarist/composer Frank Wallace, as the internationally-acclaimed ensemble Duo LiveOak For more information visit www.duoliveoak.com Each of the singers has a clear, powerful voice. When singing in ensemble, they sound like a much larger group. Their program s often feature the six singers as soloists and in various combinations, in contrasting repertoires ranging from the great South African a capella tradition, to a Sicilian lullaby, to haunting 9th century chant, to the whole tone scales and surprising harmonies of the Republic of Georgia. Multivoiced treasures from the 16th century songbooks of Spain share emotional power with contemporary pieces such as the eternal Halcyon favorite, This We Know, set by Ron Jeffers to the poignant words (1855) of Chief Seattle of Puget Sound. Contact MaryBeth Hallinan by email: keysofmb@verizon.net or call (603) 924-9527.
MaryBeth Hallinan writes exquisitely poignant and lyrically crafted songs about living, loving, growing and grieving. A performer and songwriter for 20 years, Hallinan has spent much of the past 15 years raising three children, teaching piano, voice flute, pennyshistle and recorder, and making a life out of her music. Her performances are a culmination of experiences through song, as Hallinan weaves soaring melodies, passionate piano accompaniments and compelling lyrics which create an experience that is both uplifting and transformational. The compositions, the singing, and the arrangements, though born of personal experience, speak to universal themes simply and eloquently. Complimenting Hallinan's work, are musicians Chaz Beaulieu on flute and percussion, and Eric Blackmer on vocals and guitar. These seasoned and gifted musicians round out the show and elevate Hallinan's music. More about MaryBeth Hallinan: Marybeth Hallinan is an established local piano, voice, flute, whistle and recorder instructor. Hallinan has a history of 20 years performing from the East Coast to the Rockies, and two of her original songs received awards from the Colorado Songwriters Contest in the 80's. Hallinan is also currently an accompanist for the Peterborough Children's Choir and the New Hampshire Dance Institute, and a part-time music instructor for the Monadnock Area Cooperative School in Hancock, NH. Hallinan coordinates the Performing Artist Series held at the Federated Church of Marlborough, NH, and is the organist/music director for the church as well. Contact MaryBeth Hallinan by email eysofmb@verizon.net or call (603) 924-9527.
New Hampshire singer/songwriter Basil Harris has been pickin' and performing for more years than he can remember — from cozy New York coffee houses to mountain stages in the wilds of British Columbia. Baptized in the musical waters of Baez, Dylan and Taylor, his rich repertoire of ballads, blues and country tunes nicely mixes early folk traditions with contemporary themes. Basil's music is easy on the ears, touched with humor, and always good for the soul. Contact Basil Harris by email: bharrisjr@charter.net
Internationally known double bass virtuoso, Richard Hartshorne, familiarly known as Dobbs, began his formal bass studies at Oberlin Conservatory and within three years was playing in the American Symphony Orchestra. Simultaneously he obtained his masters degree from Juilliard. Although he has had an extensive career playing around the world for audiences large and small, he is most familiar to New England for his 30 year commitment as bassist with the Apple Hill Chamber Players and as a faculty member and director of the Apple Hill Summer Festival. In the spring of this year Dobbs was in Kabul and at the recommendation of the Foundation for Culture and Civil Society, he visited and performed at The School for Artists, the only arts high school in Afghanistan with over 200 students. The school, rebuilt since being destroyed by the Taliban in the nineties is in great need of beginning method books, music and musical instruments. Of his visit to Afghanistan Dobbs has said, "The faces of the people are hard and dramatic until they smile. The traffic is more chaotic than anything I've ever seen. The streets alternate between mud and dust. There are almost no two story buildings. Nevertheless everywhere I walked people were uniformly respectful and often greeted me and offered me tea or bread or said "come to my house." People are people everywhere but in Afghanistan they need more music and they definitely need more laughter."
Hat Trick, the 'Jazz Plus' band, plays everything from classic jazz and rock to soulful originals. A dynamic group of young musicians, Hat Trick's repertoire includes soul hits Night Train and I Feel Good by James Brown, jazz standards, Don't Get Around and A Train from the Duke Ellington book, as well as Tequila, Watermelon Man and other rock and funk favorites. In addition to reading charts, Hat Trick learns their songs by ear, creates their own arrangements and improvises solos on the spot. Ranging in age from 13 to 15 years old, the five-member group has been going since 2004. The youngest is Andrew Frechette on keyboards and vocals. Andrew, a 7th grader a St. Patrick's School in Jaffrey, NH, studies piano with Laura Pierce. Dylan Brown, on drums and baritone sax, is an 8th grader at South Meadow School in Peterborough and has studied sax privately with Michael Kolodny. The remaining three band members are all 9th graders at ConVal High in Peterborough and are all members of the ConVal Concert Band. Jo Sterling is Hat Trick's bassist. He studies bass with Jamie MacDonald and plays tuba in the ConVal Band. Nate Frechette plays the alto sax and studies with Michael Kolodny. Trombonist Greg Potter also plays piano, studying with Marybeth Hallinan. In addition to their February performance, Hat Trick has performed at Peterborough's Children in the Arts Day. They are available for dances and special events: please contact their teacher, Michael Kolodny at info@jazzinsight.com.
Originally formed in 2003, Heart's Accord, at the time known as Heart became the NED Novice Quartet Champions in 2005. They restructured their sound welcoming their new bass and formed "Heart's Accord" in 2006. The ensemble has a bold, ringing, bright sound and yet sings ballads with warmth, and tenderness. The musicians have years of combined experience and musical accomplishments and all are current members of the Keene Cheshiremen Barbershop Chorus. James Kirschner, the full-voiced lead of Heart's Accord, has been Barbershopping for over 30 years and was named Barbershopper of the Year in 1990. He serves as Associate Director of the Keene Cheshiremen Barbershop Chorus. The resonant bass of Heart's Accord, Lawrence D. W. Graves studied at the New England Conservatory and got his first taste of Barbershopping at St. Mark's School in Southborough, MA. Leif Arvidson, tenor, struck his first barbershop chord in college and became forever captivated. He sang with the North Country Chordsmen of Lebanon before moving to southern New Hampshire. Named Barbershopper of the year in 2004, Mark R. Brosseau completes the quartet with his full baritone voice blending in the harmonies. He is also the Assistant Chorus Director of the Keene Cheshiremen Barbershop Chorus. For more information, call 603-847-3251, or email Mark Brosseau. Ernest Hebert "Spoonwood", a presentation in craft and literature, is a unique interaction of spoon carver Dan Dustin of Contoocook with New Hampshire's own author Ernest Hebert and includes a presentation of Dan's craft and discussion/reading of Hebert's newest novel, "Spoonwood". Set in the fictional town of Darby, NH, this novel is the continuation of his Dogs of March series about contemporary life in our rural state. Hebert was raised in Keene and is professor of English at Dartmouth University. For readings and presentations and "spoon sales," please contact professor Ernest Hebert at ernest.hebert@dartmouth.edu
Singer, songwriter, poet, guitarist Lester Hirsh performs a variety of musical styles. His music and poetry echoes impressions of the coal towns of Pennsylvania where he spent his formative years, as well as Miami, Florida, and New England. He has performed in a variety of ensembles over the past 20 years including a folk trio, Side Three, originating in Florida, a folk/pop trio Jerusalem in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and mostly solo work in New England since 1985. Since moving to New Hampshire in 1985, Lester has produced 3 full-length cassettes, 'Part & Parcel,' 'Piper's Dream,' and 'Whistle in the Wind.' Two CDs followed: 'Tales of a Troubadour' is a 17-song retrospecitve compilation produced and released in 1994 and features the beautiful hit, 'Piper's Dream' which has received airplay all over the world, due in part to its inclusion on Big Noise's compilation 'Digital Mystery Tour.' In the fall of 1998, the CD 'Sweet Surrender' was released, followed in 2003 by 'Strangers Or Lonesome Friends' and 'Mosaic: Poems of An Ancient Order.' Lester is a Touring Member of the New Hampshire Council On the Arts and the Schuylkill County Council on the Arts in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, a published poet, and editor. For more information visit www.bignoisenow.com/hirsh.html.
Singer Stephanie Hurley is an accomplished vocalist in many genres of music, including a cappella, musicals, jazz, pop and classical. She graduated with honors from Keene State College in May 2003, receiving a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Music History. Her "Songs and Music from the Holocaust" performances are an extension of her research for the course History of Twentieth Century Music, conducted at the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies in the Mason Library of Keene State College. Stephanie developed a bibliography of all books, sheet music, and articles in the Cohen Center with information about music or musical activity related to the Holocaust. Inspired by this research, Stephanie resolved to bring the voices of the people who lived during the Holocaust back to life by performing their songs. Lisa Murray, the pianist, was trained in classical music and then delved into improvisation after college. She writes original jazz/pop/folk songs, has composed the background music to a guided meditation CD, teaches piano, and plays in many local venues.
Ingrid's Ruse, a rootsy folk-rock trio based in Walpole NH, will be performing for the Community Sunday series at the Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center in Peterborough on July 3rd at 2:00 pm. The band mixes soulful originals with heartfelt renditions of some favorite songs by Joni Mitchell, Richard Thompson, Natalie Merchant, Nirvana and others. Their spare arrangements allow Ingrid Ayer-Richardson's powerful voice to bring the songs' stories to life. The rhythm section —consisting of drummer Matt Parker and bassist Ezra Veitch— provides the perfect dynamic for each song, from the simple beauty of Thompson's "Dimming of the Day" to Veitch's tear-jerking "Setbacks," to the tongue-in-cheek sing-along romp they have created out of Mitchell's "Carrie." The band has made great strides in its relatively short existence and now stands poised to become the hottest new act in the area. From mesmerizing open mic appearances to headlining spots at local taverns and cafes, Ingrid's Ruse has a knack for stealing the show. The band's sophisticated sound captivates audiences and sets just the right mood to sit back and enjoy an evening with good friends and loved ones.
Island is a free flowing group started by Matt and Dan Codispoti and joined occasionally by friends and family passing through between college and vacation. They have developed a unique sound playing mostly their own songs along with original versions of familiar songs. They play a mix that is sometimes soft acoustic and sometimes filled with strong rhythms. Their fresh, meaningful lyrics are accompanied by guitar, bass guitar, harmonica and djeum. They have performed locally at The Colony Mill in Keene and Sunflowers Cafe in Fitzwilliam.
The shakuhachi is a Japanese bamboo flute with an unbroken history of meditative music that has been passed on from teacher to student for five hundred years. Originally played by wandering Buddhist monks, the music is unlike that of any other tradition. Its unmistakable sound is both calm and highly energized, and its jagged melodies sound as fresh as the latest free jazz. Relying on techniques that would be considered highly experimental on a Western flute, the shakuhachi is widely considered one of the most difficult instruments to play, and there are only a few Western musicians who have mastered its intricacies. Among these, Phil Nyokai James stands out for his dedication to the ancient tradition as well as his use of the instrument in new settings such as improvised and avant-garde music. Originally trained in music composition, conducting and orchestration in Western classical music, James began studying shakuhachi in 1978 and is now a licensed master in the Ki Sui An shakuhachi dojo. In addition to playing the traditional solo music for the instrument, James has sat in with such unlikely musical colleagues as the Violent Femmes and Laurie Anderson, and he is a frequent guest artist with the afro-nuclear-wave-funk-swing-reggae-tango band BCR. His solo shakuhachi recording First Places was hailed by Jazz Weekly as one of the best CDs of 2002. James is committed to sharing his knowledge of music with children and adults alike. He has taught workshops alone and in collaboration with Simone Forti and Heloise Gold, among others; he has been an Artist in the Schools in Austin, Texas; he has been an Artist in Residence and guest lecturer at various universities; and most recently he was the musical director and adjunct professor for the Stephens College Summer Dance program. For more information on the performer and the shakuhachi, visit www.nyokai.com More... Mariposa has been fortunate with diverse and numerous performers educating and entertaining us. To read about more performers select from the alphabetical listing below. A-E | F-J | K-L | M-P | Q-Z other cultures, the world will know more peace and less war. 
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