Teachers old and new

A mastery of many styles (Brazilian, jazz, R & B, rock, classical), combined with a passion for harmony vocals and arrangements have made Ed Johnson a much sought-after performer and teacher. As a vocalist, he is frequently compared to Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, and Kenny Rankin. Ed has recorded several CDs, including his most recent 2007 release of original Brazilian jazz, Movimento. He frequently tours with his eight-piece band Novo Tempo.

Orville Johnson is a singer, instrumentalist, record producer, songwriter, session player, teacher, and, above all, an instinctive and sensitive musician. As his entry in the Encyclopedia of Northwest Music (Sasquatch Press 1999) states, he has become a vital figure on the NW music scene in the twenty-some years he's lived there, appearing on over 150 CDs, movie and video soundtracks, commercials, producing 15 CDs for other artists, hosting a roots music radio show, and appearing in the 1997 film Georgia with Jennifer Jason-Leigh and Mare Winningham, on the Prairie Home Companion radio show and on Jay Leno's Tonight Show.

Orville is also known as a patient and insightful teacher of music and has taught often at the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop as well as the International Guitar Seminar, Pt. Townsend Blues Workshop, Sound Acoustic Music Camp, Greater Yellowstone Music Camp, B.C. Bluegrass Workshop and others. He has several teaching videos and CDs of his own music available.

Carol Elizabeth Jones has made her mark as a singer of traditional mountain music and as a writer of new songs in the old tradition. A recording of the Coon Creek Girls, some good friends, and the Mt. Airy Fiddler's Convention all helped get her started in music in her late teens. As a member of the Wildcats and the Wandering Ramblers, she combined well-honed vocals with sharp-edged string band music. With James Leva she recorded three acclaimed albums of original material. As part of the Heart of a Singer project with Hazel Dickens and Ginny Hawker, she recorded memorable duets and trios, which have enjoyed a second life as part of the O Sister Women in Bluegrass collection. Carol Elizabeth has toured Africa, Asia, Great Britain, Canada and the U.S., and has taught vocal workshops at the Augusta Heritage Center, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, the Swannanoa Gathering, California Coast Music Camp, and others. Originally from Berea, Kentucky, she now lives near Lexington, Virginia, with her daughter, Vivian. In addition to her active musical life, Carol Elizabeth is also the Director of the Literacy and Language Center in Lexington.