Here's a live performance of Snakewinder. It's a track from my debut album, The Big Album. Snakewinder is originally a very uptempo fiddle tune recorded by Buddy Thomas. I fell in love with this tune and really enjoy trading melodic phrases with Luke Chohany on guitar and interacting with Justin Kruger on drums. Filmed by ‪@rfbv_films‬

Megan Jean and Byrne Klay performing original music at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. September 2012

Our story takes us to the faraway lands of Halconcito Pichón or Little Hawk, who is a bird that can’t yet fly because she doesn’t know her song. For her wings to take flight, she must go off on a magic quest to find it! She’ll need to call on assistance from different helpers to find her way and it won’t be easy, but Halconcito Pichón is determined to take to the skies.

In this musical journey, we'll experience the fascinating sounds of a diverse collection of musical instruments made across the Americas for thousands of years while we participate in a mythical story of challenge and persistence that ultimately leads to triumph and celebration. Instruments to be shared will include working recreations of Pre-Columbian ceramic instruments like Whistling Bottles, Noise Generators and Polyphonic Flutes, as well as folk instruments that continue to shape Latin American music to this day like the Charango and Caja.

Duration: 45 min - 1 hour
Intended Audience: Pre-K through 5th grade

In this residency we take a journey back in time through the Ocarina, a type of ceramic flute that has been made across Central and South America for thousands of years. We begin the residency working with rhythm sticks to build confidence as we progress towards the Ocarina, a fun and intuitive instrument. We use simple rhythmic call and response, guided exercises, and improvisation to awaken our creativity in an encouraging and play-filled environment. The unique sounds of this ancient flute awaken the memory of our common ancestry, recalling the songs of the birds and animals that inhabit our most sacred natural landscapes.

Duration: Residencies between 3 and 6 sessions
Intended Audience: Grade Levels K through 12