Teachers old and new

Ginny Hawker grew up singing with her father and cousins in southern Virginia. The powerful unaccompanied singing of her grandfather's church was the first music she remembers. Later her father taught her the harmonies of early bluegrass. But the soulful sound of the human voice has been her signature sound in every song she sings. For 20 years Ginny has performed in concerts, festivals and singing workshops throughout the US, Canada, and British Isles. Always she introduces her audience not only to her musical heritage, but also to the culture from which the songs spring.

Sylvia Herold has taught guitar and song repertoire for more than 20 years. Her performance credits include Cats & Jammers, Wake the Dead, Euphonia, The Hot Club of San Francisco, and Sylvia Herold and the Rhythm Bugs.

Irene Herrmann has played music all her life, but only after she graduated from music school did she discover the world of non-classical music and started dividing her time between classical piano and cello and traditional music. She feels strongly that elements of both are part of all of her music. The world of traditional music opened many doors for her, not only musically, but socially and culturally as well. She has played cello on Joe and Antoinette McKenna's second album, orchestra bells on the second album of R. Crumb's Cheap Suit Serenaders, recorded on mandolin with vaudevillean Roy Smeck, and on fiddle with gospel singer Marion Williams. With Paul Hostetter, she formed a string band with friend and traditional Italian mandolinist, Riccardo Tunzi, playing the traditional music that Riccardo taught them, until he passed away several years ago. They now continue that tradition in a trio with Italian mandolinist Tony Flores. Irene was pregnant during the last Harmony Sisters tour, and she now has two teen-age girls who are also fine musicians. These days Irene is primarily a pianist, specializing in the music of Paul Bowles and other 20th century American composers. She performs in new music ensembles, with choirs and in chamber music in the Santa Cruz, California region where she makes her home. "Making and sharing all kinds of music with my friends is the greatest joy I know."

At nine years of age, James Hill became acquainted with that oft-maligned instrument of Hawaiian fame and European ancestry, the `ukulele. By the end of Grade 5 James found himself elevated into Canada.s premier `ukulele group, the Langley Ukulele Ensemble (LUE). He was an active member of the Ensemble from 1991-2003 and was a featured soloist on seven Langley Ukulele Ensemble CD releases. After performing and touring extensively with the LUE for twelve years, James launched his solo career in April 2002 with the release of "James Hill: Playing it like it isn't...", a highly acclaimed collection of arrangements that demonstrate the versatility and appeal of the `ukulele. James, now firmly established as the finest `ukulele player in Canada, has performed as an `ukulele soloist in Vancouver, Seattle, Waikiki, Southern California, Daytona Beach, San Antonio and Tokyo. He has shared billing with many of the world's foremost `ukulele players and entertainers.

Andy is best known as the leader of the Celtic fusion band Mad Pudding, who have been touring through North America and Europe since 1994. He is a singer, songwriter, composer, guitarist and music educator who has done everything from touring Mexico playing Mariachi music to performing on main stages at major folk festivals. He is also a member of the Juno-nominated vocal ensemble musica intima. He directs the Youth and Concert choirs at the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach, and is working towards an MA in Ethnomusicology, in which he is studying guitar styles in Celtic music. He has taught workshops on Celtic guitar and can be found at many traditional Irish sessions around Vancouver.

Jim Hurst is the IBMA Guitar Player of the year for 2001 and 2002. He was featured on the cover of the Jan/Feb 1999 issue of Flatpicking Guitar magazine. He and Missy Raines were nominated for IBMA's "Emerging Artist of the Year" in 2000 and 2001. Jim has toured with many top artists such as Trisha Yearwood and Holly Dunn and most recently was featured on Sara Evans' RCA/BMG recording "No Place That Far", whose single climbed to #1 on the Billboard Chart. In 1999, he released his solo debut, "Open Window"

Jim Hurst has played many different kinds of music including bluegrass, country, rock and blues with several different bands. "I think Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Don Reno and Red Smiley, as well as some country music stars were my earliest influences." Later came the influences of Clarence White, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Tony Rice. "I listened to each guitarist with a fresh ear." Although flatpicking is a large part of bluegrass guitar, Jim first started learning to play finger-style. "Merle Travis and Chet Atkins made me take a turn in the road." But Jim considers his biggest influence to be Jerry Reed.