Susan Pepper 

Susan Pepper has been sharing and teaching traditional American and Appalachian folk songs for over 20 years. “My goal is that we find our own meaning in the songs while we celebrate those who sang them before us,” she says. Susan has a number of studio recordings, has appeared on WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour, and was a co-producer and singer in the film The Mountain Minor. While working on a Master’s degree in Appalachian Studies, she made extensive field recordings of several Blue Ridge ballad singers, which were released on the album On the Threshold of a Dream.

Sara Grey

Once you have heard Sara Grey you will never forget her. American born and raised, Sara has sung at most every folk club and arts center in England, Scotland, and Wales, and has performed at over 60 different folk and bluegrass festivals. She has always been interested in the migration of songs across the Atlantic, and just seems to know what is right in the interpretation of a traditional song. Sara’s goal is to gather songs and pass them on to future generations so that they will have the pleasure of hearing and singing them just as she has.

Josh Goforth

Josh Goforth learned to play fiddle from legendary fiddlers Gordon and Arvil Freeman in his native Madison County, NC. A highly accomplished old-time, bluegrass, and swing musician, he attended East Tennessee State University to study music education and be a part of its famous Bluegrass & Country Music Program. Josh has toured extensively with David Holt and Laura Boosinger. In 2000, 2003, and 2005, he was named “Fiddler of the Festival” at Fiddler’s Grove and, after winning his third title, was designated “Master Fiddler” and retired from that competition. He was nominated for a Grammy for Cutting Loose, his 2009 release with David Holt.

Joe Newberry 

Known around the world for his clawhammer banjo playing, Joe Newberry is also a powerful guitarist, singer, and songwriter. A longtime and frequent guest on A Prairie Home Companion, he was a featured singer on the Transatlantic Sessions in the UK and the U.S. Growing up in a family full of singers and dancers, Joe took up the guitar and banjo as a teenager and learned fiddle tunes from great Missouri fiddlers. He moved to North Carolina as a young man and quickly became an anchor of the incredible music scene in the state.

Howie Bursen 

Howie Bursen has been singing, playing, and teaching for many years. He’s been onstage at festivals and camps from Cape Cod to Puget Sound, from the Los Angeles Solstice Festival to A Prairie Home Companion. Howie has solo recordings on Smithsonian Folkways and Flying Fish Records. He and his partner, Sally Rogers, have two recordings together. Howie is excited to share his knowledge and songs at Swannanoa as part of Traditional Song Week.

Sally Rogers
Sally Rogers began her career as a full-time touring musician in 1979, after encouragement from Stan Rogers, the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter. That was followed by an invitation from Garrison Keillor to appear on A Prairie Home Companion, on which she performed more than a dozen times in the wake of 14 different albums. Sally’s travels have taken her to Europe, China, Hungary, Poland, and across the United States. Much of her time is spent teaching music in public schools as an artist-in-residence. Her gorgeous singing voice, boundless energy, and good humor are welcomed from coast to coast.

Matt Watroba

Traditional Song Week coordinator Matt Watroba has spent most of his adult life sharing his knowledge and passion for folk music with just about anyone who would listen. As a performer, Matt has delivered thousands of shows in just about every setting you can think of. As a song leader, he is committed to inspiring or facilitating at least 100 community sings every year somewhere in the country. In 2019, Matt was inducted into the Folk DJ Hall Of Fame as part of the Folk Alliance International conference in Montreal.