Dispute as to what qualifies as "Folk" are as old as what Pete Seeger calls the "Great Folk Scare" starting in the 40's and 50's with the purists and traditionalists always ready to eliminate anything that smacked of modernity. It's hard to imagine that James Taylor, et.al., were once considered too experimental. In these days of Ani and her descendants, "if the player calls it folk, it is folk", whether it's from influences of other forms of music, unusual instrumentation, or "whatever". Pete in concert once called rap the folk for the urban masses and did his version of one. So we are pleased to have three young musicians conduct this workshop. Each brings their own approach, widely varying influences, and due respect for their own and each others' creativity. You are invited you to journey with them into what the music will become.

Annie Rorick	James Krueger	Michael Truckpile

Annie Rorick is a songwriter and poet of 12 years, and a Music Therapy graduate from SUNY New Paltz, a Reiki Master and an artist. Her lyrics and poetry touch an honest chord on the experience of being human. With simple spiritual gratitude, she reveals vulnerability, determination, confusion, sorrow, desire and inspiration which tempt her audience on the journey into self-exploration.

James Krueger is performing on the Canal Stage at 12:30 P.M. [artist's website]

Michael Truckpile is performing on the Canal Stage at 4:00 P.M. [artist's website]

Folk Music, more than any other form, has featured lyrics that tell a story or make a point. Social commentary, from political protests to cultural satire, is heard throughout the folk repertoire from early European times to this century. Movements for social change in this country have been heralded and accompanied by songs, given to us by American legends such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs and so many others. Folk music is the music of the people, which often invites the participation of all, rather than being strictly a performance art. In this age of turmoil, war, cultural violence and a plethora of ills, social commentary songs are being sung and written at amazing rates. Today's workshop will offer a tiny sample, performed by a variety of musicians. You are invited to join in as a thoughtful listener and to sing along when inspired.

Redwood	Don Haynie	Danielle Woerner	T. G. Vanini	Jon Stein

Redwood grew up in the Redwood country of Northern California, where she was inspired by the folk music of Joan Baez, Richard and Mimi Farina and Bob Dylan. She now performs with her husband, the Moose, as Redwood Moose, drawing on many acoustic styles and traditions. Many of her original songs emphasize social commentary, social protest, and satire. [artist's website]

Don Haynie's songwriting is often compared favorably with the greatest, like Bob Dylan and Randy Newman, and his songs can make you laugh, cry, or dance. Don will be performing with Sheryl Samuel at 7 PM pm on the Mountain Stage. [artist's website]

Danielle Woerner Soprano Danielle Woerner has performed from La MaMa to Lincoln Center and throughout the East Coast, as well as extensively in the Hudson Valley. Her internationally-acclaimed debut CD, She Walks in Beauty: Soprano Danielle Woerner Sings Chamber Music and Songs of Otto Luenig and Robert Starer, will be followed next fall by Voices of the Hudson Valley. Danielle has sung leading operatic and musical theater roles with many of the region's companies, and is a frequent soloist with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Woodstock Chamber Orchestra, and Ars Choralis. She leads the choral ensemble Voices for Peace. She teaches voice at her Shokan Studio, Dutchess County Community College, and the Vassar College Drama Department. [artist's website]

T.G. Vanini has performed his songs and song-poems widely in the Hudson Valley and beyond, notably with The Princes of Serendip. He's also in demand as a Celtic fiddler. As a long-time peace and social justice activist, Vanini appreciates music's manifold power to nurture peace, express outrage, spread understanding, heap with ridicule, and lift spirits. He is currently a Professor of Mathematics at the City University of New York. [artist's website]

Jon Stein has been writing and performing songs for over thirty years and hosting popular folk shows since 1983. In 1978 he appeared at the Philly Folk Festival in a workshop moderated by Pete Seeger. Stein went on to perform in various venues and on several radio and TV shows throughout the country. Jon created the famed concert series at Bodles Opera House and was host for 8 years. [artist's website]