Summit School
of Traditional Music and Culture
Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture - picture of Violins
Fall 2008 Courses Instructors
Mark Greenberg Mark Greenberg
Mark Greenberg is an educator, writer, musician, and proprietor of Upstreet Productions, specializing in traditional folk music and oral history. He was a co-founder of the Philadelphia Folk Workshop and currently teaches American music history at the University of Vermont. He was the text editor of, and a writer for, the JVC-Smithsonian/Folkways VideoAnthologies of Music and Dance of The Americas, and his radio program, “On & On,” was broadcast for 12 years on WNCS. For more information about Mark Greenberg: www.upstreetproductions.com.
Jordan Jordan Mensah
Jordan Mensah grew up in Accra, the capital of Ghana. As a child, Jordan learned his ancestors’ tribal drumming styles, dances, and songs from his uncles. At age 12, Jordan joined a dance troupe that performed in Accra. He has performed across the United States, and now teaches West African drumming and dance in Central Vermont. Jordan is the founder and director of the Shidaa African Cultural Project in Montpelier (www.shidaafricult.com).
Jordan Dan Haley
Dan Haley is a well-respected singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music teacher. He has played mandolin for 30 years and is a featured player in the bands of Mark Legrand, and Spencer Lewis. He has also played in the local contra dance band, Roustabout. Dan's Web site is www.myspace.com/danielhaleymusic
Tom MacKenzie Tom MacKenzie
Tom MacKenzie is a full time member of the Woods Tea Company, "Vermont's hardest working folk group". He has traveled all over the country with them playing everything from Irish to Old Time to originals. His Banjo and Hammered Dulcimer playing are also in great demand at dances throughout New England. He has traveled to over 20 different countries while acting as the musical director for Folkids of Vermont. Tom's Web site is www.tmackenzie.com.
Benedict Koehler and Hilari Farrington Benedict Koehler and Hilari Farrington
This musical couple now living in East Montpelier, Vermont, met at a benefit for the Champlain Festival in 1986. Strongly influenced by the playing of the great musicians of East Galway and County Clare, both Benedict and Hilari have played and taught widely at Irish music festivals and events such as the Catskills Irish Arts Week, the Chris Langan Weekend in Toronto, the St. Louis Tionol, the Piper's Gathering in North Hero, and the Champlain Valley Folk Festival. Known as insightful and generous teachers, Benedict and Hilari are also engaging performers on uilleann bagpipes, penny whistle, Irish harp, and button accordion. They have shared the stage with some of the finest musicians of our day. Either individually or as a duo, they have also appeared as guest performers on CDs by fiddlers Sarah Blair, Becky Tracy and Laurel Martin, piper Brian McNamara, and accordionist Patty Furlong.
Lisa Ginnett Lisa Ginnett
Lisa Ginnett has been a dancer her whole life. When she first moved to Vermont, she helped teach contra and square dances, and in 1980 was invited by Mary Azarian to dance with a newly formed Morris team. Lisa's current dance troupe, The Midnight Capers, was started in 1980 by Larry Becker. The focus quickly shifted to Cotswold Morris where it has rested ever since. The dance style is very athletic and demands both strength and grace. The Capers also dance a winter season of Border and Longsword for variety. Lisa has been the foreman of the team (dance instructor) since about 1988, as well as a choreographer for many of the dances.
Jordan Katie Trautz
Katie Trautz has studied old-time fiddle and Appalachian folk music with some of the best instructors in the nation, including Pete Sutherland, James Bryan, Greg Boardman, James Bryan, Bill Hicks, Jimmy Triplett and Alan Jabbour. Katie has toured with the Village Harmony Choir in the USA and Europe, and studied harmony singing with both Ginny Hawker and Sheila Kay Adams. She presently teaches private fiddle lessons and performs in a number of ensembles, including Mayfly and Knotty Pine. She is also the director of the Summit School. Visit: www.myspace.com/katietrautz for more information on Katie.
Rebecca Singer Rebecca Singer
Rebecca is the co-founder of Summit School and has been hummin' and strummin' the guitar, playing music with friends, for years. She sings traditional and contemporary folk songs, and performs occasionally. Rebecca's music background includes study of classical piano, acoustic folk guitar, and most recently, the 5-string banjo.

 
Katie Trautz, Director - Phone: 802-917-1186 E-mail: music@summit-school.org
Address: P.O. Box 646, Montpelier, VT 05601