Joy Zimmerman

Joy Zimmerman is a touring folk & acoustic roots singer/songwriter who cultivates joy and community with a stunningly clear and rich voice.

Born on Shakespeare's 400th birthday, it's no wonder Joy is a natural writer. Her songwriting has been recognized nationally with an American Songwriter Lyric Contest Honorable Mention and ten Walnut Valley Music Festival NewSong Showcase wins. Her music has been described as "vivid and alive, tender and poignant, and altogether a gift for the listener." (Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus)

At home on guitar and violin, Joy loves adding fiddle tunes along the way. She performs solo and with a variety of other musicians. You hear echoes of your own journey in her performances of hope, resilience, and humor.

Joy's forthcoming album, "Where the Light Lives," wrestles with challenging issues facing us collectively and individually. Steeped in justice issues since childhood, Joy has always found solace and her authentic voice in music.

Joy Zimmerman has recorded eight albums of original music. Her most recent album, "The Canvas Before Us," debuted at #8 on the Folk Alliance International Folk Chart in August, 2021, and her single, "Women Who Walked on Water," was #4 in March 2022.

As a former social worker, Joy believes in the power of music and collaboration. She is an Artist INC alumnus, the recipient of an Artist as Activist grant from the Mid-America Arts Alliance, and a board member of the Transformative Language Arts Network. Joy curated a portrait exhibit at the InterUrban ArtHouse based on her song, "Women Who Walked on Water."

A nationally and internationally touring musician based in Kansas City, Joy brings us home to our innate ability for wonder and connection. Her voice of honey and ginger leaves you wishing you'd heard her sooner.