Dr. David Hildebrand is a specialist in early American music. He performs and lectures at museums, historical societies, and universities, solo and more frequently with wife/music partner of 35 years Ginger Hildebrand. David holds a B.S. from Dickinson College, and his M.A. and Ph.D. (both in Musicology) are from George Washington University and The Catholic University of America. He teaches American music history at the Peabody Conservatory and is an author for the Johns Hopkins University Press. David consulted on the PBS series Liberty!
Seaside Jimmy DiLorenzo
Guitar, Vocals and Other Extremes
Jimmy has played with the likes of Carlos Santana, Cat Stevens, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, Jerry Garcia, Bruce Springsteen & other artists…while relaxing on the couch with his music collection, and hopes to perform with them for real, on stage someday. You’ll hear covers of these artists & many more, as well as original songs, in Jimmy’s solo set.
An avid performer and educator, pianist and composer Joshua Espinoza balances his time sharing music on the stage and off. As a performer, Joshua has played with renowned artists including Warren Wolf, Paul Bollenback, Miho Hazama, John D’earth, Mike Pope, Kris Funn, Todd Marcus, Chuck Redd, Ryan McGillicudy, Eugene Goss, and Gail Wynters, and on national stages including Piccolo Spoleto (Charleston), The Jazz Kitchen (Indianapolis), Blues Alley, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Keystone Korner (Baltimore), and the DC Jazz Festival.
Jacqueline Pollauf, American harpist, is known for her sensitive performances, dedication to teaching, and beautifully-crafted compositions. Past performances include a premiere for voice and harp at Carnegie Hall and appearances at the Eleventh World Harp Congress and the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Her most recent recording, Beau Soir, with cellist Dariusz Skoraczewski, was lauded as “utter perfection” (The Harp Column).
Hailed by the Gramophone Magazine as "brilliant and intrepid", violinist Airi Yoshioka has concertized throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Canada as a recitalist, soloist and chamber musician. Deeply committed to chamber music, she is the founding member of the Damocles Trio and Modigliani Quartet and has performed and recorded with the members of the Emerson, Brentano and Arditti Quartets. Damocles Trio's debut disc of complete Piano Trios and Piano Quartet of Joquín Turina has won a four-star rating from the BBC Music Magazine, Le Monde de la Musique and Diapason.
For 40 years Karen Ashbrook has been an international pioneer and advocate for the hammered dulcimer. With Silver Spring, Maryland as home base, she has brought magic of the 76 resonating dulcimer strings to a wide audience, from the young children who attend her summer hedge schools in Irish culture to the elderly and infirm with whom she engages as a certified music practitioner in the healing arts. She has entertained at the John F. Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institution and the White House, as well as concert halls and festivals in the U.S. and around the world.
Ampersand is a small string band, so named because our core duo of Beth Lawton and Dick Hogle “adds in” other musicians both at home and when we travel. We offer a family-friendly, interactive set of songs and instrumentals, from colonial times through Civil War music,1920s and 30s folk/blues, to modern folk tunes. We play guitars, banjo, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, and often are joined by fiddlers, and a stand-up bass player – lots of songs and rich harmonies and we’re happy to have the audience ask questions, join in on singalongs, and just have a great time with this wonderful tradition
For many years, James Kiwuwa has entertained, thousands of individuals from all over the world. Countless lovely people who brought him into their lives and made him a part of their communities.
The opportunity to perform countless compositions around the world would appear to be a worthy influence of delight; but beyond the call to entertain, he connects with every audience in a way that participants understand and value each other’s culture.
Pablo Regis de Oliveira grew up in Los Angeles and BrasÍlia, absorbed in Brazilian music and culture. His study of Brazilian music started as young child, observing and participating in Brazilian carnival events and music concerts produced by his father, Floriano Regis, former Cultural Attaché of the Brazilian Consulate in Los Angeles. Floriano co-founded LA's first samba school Embrasamba, created the first Brazilian radio program in the US (The Brazilian Hour), and produced shows by such Brazilian music legends as Gilberto Gil and João Bosco.
Dr. Laura Armstrong is a faculty member of Mount St. Mary’s University and Frederick Community College, where she teaches clarinet, saxophone, and music fundamentals. She has performed in recitals in the Mid-Atlantic region and has performed as a soloist at the International Clarinet Association’s Clarinet Fest held in Ostend, Belgium in 2018.