Deb Flanders

Deborah Flanders, whose clear soprano voice has been described as "vibrant" by Seven Days and "gorgeous" by the Times Argus, has been performing songs from the remarkable ballad collection of her great-aunt Helen Hartness Flanders for six years. Her 1997 CD, Mother Make My Bed, paid tribute to her great-aunt's life long work and gave Vermonters a taste of the state's extraordinary musical traditions. 

Since 1999 Deborah has brought together some of New England's best-known traditional music performers Pete Sutherland, Margaret MacArthur, Tony Barrand and John Roberts, Atwater-Donnelly and Michèle Choinière for a summer evening of ballads and folksongs at one of Vermont's prettiest historic sites, the Old West Church in Calais. She has performed in the Champlain Folk Festival, First Night Burlington and concerts throughout Vermont and New England. In the fall 2003 she performed in the "Concerts at One" opening the 35th anniversary series in St. Paul's Chapel in New York City.

Raised on a diet of Broadway show tunes, operatic arias and British invasion melodies, Pete Sutherland discovered both traditional music and songwriting in college and like Huck Finn, "lit out for the territories". A warm-voiced singer and accomplished multi-instrumentalist known equally for his potent originals and his intense recreations of age-old ballads and fiery fiddle tunes, Pete's music "covers the map", and shines with. . . "a pure spirit which infuses every bit of his music, and cannot fail to move all who hear him." - The American Festival of Fiddle Tunes

You can find out more about Pete and his music at www.epactmusic.com

Sarah Blair began playing fiddle in the thriving traditional Irish music community in Providence, Rhode Island. She honed her skills as a sought-after session leader in the Irish pubs of Boston, and is regarded as one of the best Irish and dance fiddlers around. Today she plays frequently for contra dances, notably with her group 'The Sevens.' She lives and teaches fiddle in Montpelier, Vermont.