7:30 — Elizabeth Borowsky
Elizabeth Borowsky, piano, enjoys a vibrant musical career as soloist and collaborative pianist, composer, educator, and recording artist. She has been a featured performer at distinguished venues in over 30 countries, including Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center and at events such as Klavierwoche and UNESCO festivals and the Beijing Olympic celebrations. Her compositions have been performed by the Tianjin Philharmonic (China), Šiauliai Chamber Orchestra (Lithuania), King David String Ensemble (Israel), and the Cumanayagua Concert Orchestra (Cuba). In 2020, she was named the New Hampshire Commissioned Composer by the Music Teachers National Association. Her collection, 100 Solos for Piano Prodigies, has received critical acclaim as outstanding and relevant musical compositions that address essential technical and artistic skills for young pianists. She is founder and director of Piano Prodigies and has served as Executive Director of the Intermuse International Music Institute and Festival USA since 2003. Her music, inspired by the emotions and stories that resonate with us all, will take you on a journey without words. Let the notes speak directly to your heart.
8:00 — Eleanor & Bill Ellis
Eleanor Ellis, a native of Louisiana, has since performed at clubs, festivals, and concerts in the United States, Canada, and Europe. She has also traveled and played with the late gospel street singer Flora Molton and bluesman Archie Edwards, and sometimes accompanied Delta Blues great Eugene Powell. She is a founding member of the DC Blues Society and the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation, has written about the blues for several publications, and is producer and editor of the video documentary Blues Houseparty, which features well-known Piedmont blues musicians such as John Jackson, John Cephas, and Archie Edwards. She also worked at the Archive of New Orleans Jazz at Tulane University in New Orleans, and at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Eleanor Ellis has developed a distinctive and personal approach to music. She distills the elements of original style and transmits her own uniquely expressive sound. She credits her musical reach to such greats as M phis Minnie, Skip James, and other early recording artists, as well as to the influence of the blues players she has known personally. Eleanor’s recordings include Comin' a Time on the Patuxent label; Backyard Blues, a CD of solo blues guitar and vocals; Preaching in That Wilderness on the Riverlark label with Bill Ellis and Andy Cohen; appearances on several anthologies, including the 25th Anniversary Kent State Folk Festival collection, Sisterfire : Music by Women, and Archie's Barbershop Blues, released by the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation; and two recordings with Flora Molton, I Want to Be Ready to Hear God When He Calls, on Mrs. Molton's own Lively Stone label, and Flora Molton, recorded for Radio France.
Vermont-based roots guitarist William Lee Ellis has been hailed a “wizard on steel strings” (Blues Revue) whose “art is original and contemporary…timeless” (Jorma Kaukonen). Formerly from Memphis, TN, William is an associate professor of music at Saint Michael’s College and records for the Yellow Dog label. He is the son of banjo composer Tony Ellis.
9:00 — River Glen
River was born at home in Dubuque, Iowa, homeschooled by his mom, and raised in a family band. His original music playfully blends elements of folk, pop, and rock. His songwriting strikes a delicate balance of pop-appeal and lyrical substance; from wonderings about love, family, and belonging, to the celebration of death and loss as a natural part of life. River critiques modern pop-culture through the lens of familiar, traditional folk themes, always with tasty grooves and clever rhymes.
In 2017, River was named Fellow by the Iowa Arts Council for his original music. While serving in this honorary position, River began work on "As Above, So Below", an album of original music featuring over one hundred and fifty singers/musicians, almost entirely from his home state of Iowa. "As Above, So Below" was released on May 1st, 2023.