Featuring interweaving harmonies, harp, mandolin, mandola, tenor guitar, and piano, this concert promises to be a memorable afternoon celebrating the creativity of women and the power of their songs.
Wendy Beckerman's devotion to songwriting began in the 80's on the NYC folk circuit. Her voice is pure and direct, and her songs turn everyday moments into meditations on life. With her sixth album in progress, Wendy also co-leads Your Mindful Voice retreats, which empower and connect participants through vocal expression and openhearted presence. wendybeckerman.com
Marla Fibish is one of the prominent voices of the mandolin in Irish music, bringing a deep and distinctive sensibility to the tradition on one of its lesser heard instruments. Her dynamic playing is featured on a variety of duo and trio album projects, as well as her 2020 solo album The Bright Hollow Fog. She has performed and taught nationally and in Ireland. Marla also plays mandola, tenor guitar and button accordion, and is a singer and composer. She is known for her musical settings of works from a variety of poets, as well as original tunes written in traditional forms. This work is featured in the duo Noctambule with guitarist and husband Bruce Victor, on their four studio albums together. marlafibish.com , noctambulemusic.com
Mary Fineman's artistic spirit moves easily between two worlds—from the intimate universe of singer/songwriter to the expansive territory of the neo- classical world—bringing passion and a love of melody, whether for song, piano, chamber ensemble, or orchestra. Already a professional pianist, Mary started hearing music out of the blue 20 years ago when she visited an energy healer. The healer told her the reason she woke up every night was to write music. This surprised her, but 20 years later, her award-winning music is still going strong. Performances include the Paramount Theater, Piedmont Piano Company, Center for New Music, the Marsh Berkeley, Old First Church, and airplay on radio KDFC. Her work has been featured by the Oakland Symphony, communitywomensorchestra.org , Internet archive and Call for Scores: Solo Piano by e4tt.org . www.maryfineman.com , youtube.com/maryfineman
Patrice Haan began songwriting on a dare. Now the harper, singer, composer and poet who has consistently refused to be confined by boundaries of genre or style has released a new album of solo harp meditations and is at work on her fourth album of original songs. From the romantic and complex harmonization of jazz standards with Tony Marcus in the Oakland-based duo, Leftover Dreams, through more than 20 years of playing harp in hospitals and cancer-care facilities, her intuitive songwriting is grounded in a commitment to the healing presence of listening. patricehaan.com
