2009 Instructors

SLOAN WAINWRIGHT
Born into a highly acclaimed musical family - youngest sister to Loudon Wainwright, auntie to Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright - Sloan Wainwright is an outstanding and highly original singer, a compelling performer best known for her rich contralto voice, intensely personal lyrics, and an innovative approach to song. Hard to categorize, her musical style melds the best of pop, folk, jazz, and blues to create a soulful hybrid. Her personal appearances are forceful and uplifting, her stage persona self-described as "we take our audience on a journey, we come in full tilt and do our show."

BROOKS WILLIAMS
With bluesy fingerpicking, soaring bottleneck slide, and swinging flatpicking, Brooks Williams' music is rooted in the blues and is as fresh and original as any music you are likely to hear. His unique combination of traditional and original music inspired Dirty Linen magazine to call Brooks Williams one of "America's musical treasures." His guitar skills won him a place on the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists list, in company with the likes of Michael Hedges, Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke, Doc Watson, and David Bromberg.

KEITH LITTLE
Keith is a multi-instrumental performing and recording artist, vocalist, and composer. He's been a member of many national touring bands (Country Gentlemen, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, and Lonesome Standard Time), and has performed on Grammy-award-winning recordings by the Chieftains and Dolly Parton. His songs have been recorded by Crystal Gayle, Claire Lynch, and Tim O'Brien, and he is an honorary lifetime member of the California Bluegrass Association.

COSY SHERIDAN
Mythic songwriter Cosy Sheridan and her wryly insightful songs have been showcased everywhere from Carnegie Hall to The Dr Demento Show. In her new CD on Waterbug Records, Live At CedarHouse, listeners can sample a taste of Sheridan's live performances and see why she's been called "one of the era's finest and most thoughtful singer-songwriters" and why Acoustic Guitar Magazine wrote, "If I were going to throw an all-girl dinner party at which I wanted to laugh and cry from the hors d'oeuvres to the chocolate pudding, Cosy Sheridan is the first woman I'd invite."

TR RITCHIE
TR Ritchie is a stand-up storyteller and musician in the classic bard tradition, plus a multi-award winner and veteran of songwriting competitions at such festivals as Kerrville, Sisters, Napa Valley, Walnut Valley, Silverton Jubilee and Mountain Stage. Known for his spontaneous, engaging and spirited performances, Ritchie serves up his music with technical grace and unwinds the narrative of his life and times in words and song, by turns witty, insightful and philosophical. Doug Bright, writing in Heritage Music Review, says, "Ritchie dishes up a hearty, diversely spiced and nourishing bowl of 'chicken soup for the soul.'"

ERIC JONES
Eric Jones plays mandolin (and guitar)(and is a vocalist) for the popular western slope Bluegrass and Swing band Big Timbre, and has been a cornerstone of the regional music scene for many years. He was a founding member of the Irish-American band Keltika, and his music reflects a fondness for an eclectic mix of traditional Americana styles. A former student at the Steve Kaufman Mandolin Kamp in Tennessee, Eric continues to explore the many nuances of mandolin expressions.

CHAD NIEHAUS
Chad is an award-winning artist based in Moab, Utah. He creates acrylic paintings, pastel drawings,and linocut prints inspired by the open spaces of the Colorado Plateau. His work has been featured in A Century of Sanctuary: The Art of Zion National Park,Painters of Utah's Canyons and Deserts, and on NPR's Radio West. Niehaus is currently serving as the official Community Artist in the Parks at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.