PERFORMING ARTS: MUSIC
My primary creative outlet is Golden Shoulders, a band that's been recording music and performing live all over the United States (but mostly in and around Nevada City, California) since 2001. Some people like our songs, and for that I am grateful.
Paul Godwin is an experimental composer and sound designer collaborating with nature to create ambient/surround installations. In the 2024 premiere “Music for 33 Drain Pipes” he recorded Sierra watersheds with hydrophones, with the aim to deepen listeners’ connections to the natural world by revealing hidden rhythms and harmonies present in ecosystems. At Berklee College of Music he formed the progressive ambient duo, Dogon, with Venezuelan composer Miguel Noya. Dogon has recorded eight albums for NEWdOG Records and performs internationally. Godwin won Bay Area Critics’ Best Composer for his score for Tony Kushner’s “Homebody/Kabul.” at Berkeley Rep. He is co-founder and musical director/producer of Myrtle Tree Arts.
Original and traditional World Fusion Folk music performed by singer / guitarist / accordionist / composer Maggie McKaig.
Digital Discography | Digital albums
Catherine Scholz is a singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist, lyricist, composer and producer. She got her start at a mere six-years-old and has not slowed down since. Her talents allowed her to play in several European countries before she was 16 and once in college she studied music at the University of Minnesota and expressive arts therapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies. With that, she worked day jobs while working on her music and since 2008 has dropped two albums, became an award winner and more.
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Operations Manager at Innervoice Media, Jai has 20+ years as a multi-media artist, producer, and youth advocate, promoting cultural awareness and racial equity through public speaking and various artistic platforms such as production, photography and music. Jai’s artistry is rooted in African culture and is centered around a variety of genres and modalities. His approach to music, to art, and to life is to be an active participant in experiences of authentically raw expressions.
Mark Vieaux is a fresh voice in the songwriting world, sharing the whole range of emotions and human experiences through a modern rock/pop/Americana voice.
"I still remember when I was two years old, and my mother took me to a music store on 39th Street in St. Louis. Playing the piano there was sublime! I played for quite a while, listening to the combinations of tones, colors and textures; it is still that way for me— whether composing, playing the trombone or didjeridu, singing a ballad, or working out a new piano voicing. I take in and respond to ALL sounds and styles of music that have the qualities of strength, depth, spirit, structure, beauty and intelligence. Examples include the works of J.S. Bach, Stravinsky, Mississippi delta blues, John and Alice Coltrane, the exquisite music of Bali, Balkan brass bands, and I can't forget to mention my namesake Ludwig van Beethoven!"
Ellen Johnson’s devotion to the arts spans over three decades in a variety of genres as a professional recording artist, songwriter, lyricist, author, and educator. Jazz Journal International described her performances as “superior jazz singing by an artist of the highest quality.” She has performed and recorded with many exceptional musicians that include Bobby McFerrin, Charles McPherson, Sheila Jordan, Don Braden, and Roy McCurdy. She is the author of the biography Jazz Child: Portrait of Sheila Jordan (Rowman and Littlefield) and has published lyrics to both Sonny Rollins and Charles Mingus compositions.
A brand new album of original music composed and performed by Alasdair Fraser (fiddle) & Natalie Haas (cello).
Gift Certificates | CDs | Digital Downloads
I am a classical composer who writes solo, chamber and orchestral music. My style is influenced by West Coast minimalism, Asian music and American roots music. I like to weave tonal melodies into colorful narratives with lively rhythms. My music has been performed by the Janaček Philharmonic, the Awesöme Orchestra, the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, the Bristol Ensemble and others. In 2019-2020 I was the composer-in-residence for the San Francisco Choral Artists. My Marimba Concerto was recorded by Evelyn Glennie on the CD “Concertos for Mallets” on Naxos Records and Spotify.
Oh,hi is a musical duo based in California. They create their sound by playing originals and covers, based on and inspired by the audience.
"Old Soles" play moonshine-flavored Americana music with a touch of wry-whiskey humor. Harmony vocals, Appalachian & Irish, John Prine & Kate Wolf, Jerry Garcia & Bessie Smith, blues, folk, & fiddle. Masha & Geff Crawford, a husband-and-wife duo based in Grass Valley, have decades of experience entertaining at festivals, restaurants, wineries, weddings, private parties, and barn dances. Call, text, or email to talk about booking Old Soles, and savor this lovely pairing with a fine vintage feel!
Poet, Vocalist, Soul Entertainer, Creative Consultant - Lyrical transmissions, sultry vocal codes and hypnotic beats - with fierce grace and soft strength, ELLELLE serves soul soothing, genre blending, spectrum stretching, tantric poetry, cosmic chillhop, conscious rap, jazzy, honest, heart melting expressive alchemy and performance healing art for a transcendent, multidimensional, multi sensory experience. Genres: Jazzy Chillhop, RnB, Soul, Conscious Rap, Funk, House, Dub
United by a love of music, a group of diverse musicians gather in Grass Valley to rehearse and perform classical music. OLLI Orchestra was formed in 1978. After a Covid break, the group has just reunited with nearly 20 new members. The audience experience of attending an OLLI O performance differs from attending a concert by a paid orchestra. The setting is more relaxed, the audience attire is casual, and the experience is more educational and intimate. Nevada County’s Community Orchestra musicians display a special sense of joy and love for the music, which is recognized by the audience.
Four classically-trained local ne’er-do-wells play a mind-boggling number of instruments and genres. Specializing in 4-part harmonies, sometime beautiful, sometimes hilarious, always entertaining. Purdon’s Crossing- fine music without the dignity.
As a composer and classical guitarist, I have focused on new musical ideas/compositions, many of which are arranged for guitar and violin, viola, cello, piano, and string quartet. These works add valuable solo and ensemble works to an innovative classical style guitar, and provide guitarists with more performance and recording opportunities.The point of my work is to create new beauty and excitement in music; oftentimes with a slightly modern turn. My specific vision is to give young musicians important options to perform compositions solo, and also take these same works to the chamber music stage for a different and enriching artistic experience.
Known for his enthusiasm, patience and abilities for over 25 years, Kerry the “Shakerman” is both an independent performer and also leads individuals and groups using rhythm as the tool. He skillfully guides people on a path of self discovery using the drums, shakers and other percussion instruments, all tools for unity, creativity, personal empowerment and joy. Venues including private and group settings, festivals and more!
Dr. Nelson was on the music faculty at Cerritos College in Los Angeles for over 25 years. After completing a Ph.D. in music theory/composition at the University of California Santa Barbara in 1980, David worked at a variety of institutions. Over the last 35 years, Dr. Nelson has composed numerous works, including symphonies, tone poems, choral pieces, chamber music, music for film, popular music, incidental music for plays, eBooks, computer generated music, and three musicals. David grew up and worked for almost five decades in Los Angeles. His latest musical, L.A. Vida, is his musical gift to the City of Angels.
The Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus was organized in the spring of 2002. It is cosponsored by the Osher Life Long Learning Institute of Sierra College and charitable donations from the community. The chorus is made up of some fifty members from the Truckee and North Lake Tahoe areas. The mission of the organization is to promote choral music and arts in the schools and community, and to provide a performance outlet for the members.
Her new EP "You Are Where You Belong" features inspiring songs to understand and overcome life's challenges.
Digital Downloads | Lyrics | Videos
Bob Mora and the Third Degree have been together for the past 10 years playing Chicago blues standards along with original material. They have been playing around northern California and Nevada at clubs, festivals, private events and street fairs and are real crowd pleasers. They have 3 CD's out now and are about to record a studio project this fall.
Dani Joy is a California based singer/songwriter/instructor and proud featured artist of Romero Creations Ukuleles. Her world-influenced musical style is soothing and romantic, blending old time jazz with Bossa nova/exotica genres. She is most noted for her crooning alto vocals and tasteful ukulele fingerpicking and accompaniment. Expressing her art through music, Dani has entranced audiences across the country, inviting them in with her velvet vocals and compassionate style of teaching.
The Sierra Jazz Society is a California 501C3 non profit organization dedicated to Jazz education, presentation and promotion in Nevada County and the surrounding areas.
Every year, the Nevada County Concert Band brings back an era in American history when the local Sunday Band Concert was a grand social occasion. Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills' Gold Country of Grass Valley and Nevada City, the NCCBand performs free concerts at public parks and local events. In the summer, enjoy the 4-part Picnic Pops Concert Series, wave a flag at the curbside with the band at the Independence Day Parade, catch our performance at the Nevada County Fair, or join us at Constitution Day's street concert.
Music in the Mountains, founded in 1982, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Nevada County by presenting outstanding performances of predominantly classical music and by offering educational opportunities for youth and adults in music appreciation, performance and composition. Fueled by hundreds of volunteers and donors, the organization includes the Festival Orchestra, with 55 professional players from around the country, and the 90-voice Festival Chorale a highly acclaimed, auditioned vocal group.
GSKM Music Services was formed to provide the full range of professional music preparation and production services to clients domestically and internationally. We serve performers, composers, and organizations of all sizes and genres, from chamber ensembles to symphony orchestras. As seasoned professional musicians with an eye for detail, we bring excellence, beauty, and integrity to our work. Our mission is to manage your music from start to finish.
PERFORMING ARTS: DANCE
Azriel is a dancer, teacher and performer. She has taught modern dance and creative movement locally for over twenty years. Azriel has performed professionally with the Zen Monkey Project, The Glass Bead Players, The Linda Bair Dance Company, Shadow Cabinet, and enjoys collaborating with other dance artists in the community. In 2024, she co-produced the Dance Because Festival in Nevada City and is passionate about creating opportunities for dancers and dance makers to share their brilliance. Azriel is also a graduate of the Teacher Training program at Tamalpa Institute, and works in the field of movement-based, expressive arts therapy.
Chanthou’s work weaves a diverse background in dance with dance therapy. As an immigrant, she has produced art with very little resources; which has in turn brought themes of self-sufficiency and community to the forefront of her work. She galvanizes dancers, artists, activists, audiences and communities through classes and performances. Her work projects voices of the youth, voices and stories from women, people of color, issues of belonging, equality, love, suffering and equity and access to education. Chanthou hopes to inspire people to become a conduit for cultural and social change. At the core, her mission is to instill love for dance art and to encourage artistic excellence and connection with community.
Led by artistic director Erin Reynolds, Erin Reynolds Performances presents site-based, collaborative, contemporary dance works that connect viewers to the culturally complex intricacies of humanity. Our performances hold up a magnifying glass to the unique, unappreciated connections between extraordinary and everyday moments. We place dance works where people already exist, not as audiences but as human beings. We believe that dance exists all the time and everywhere. We create dances by and for everyday people in locations where humans spend their time. Integrated into our mission is the goal of keeping our work relevant in an ever-changing technology focused culture.
Justin has studied, danced, and taught over a dozen forms of dances in 30 countries. He brings an international and nuanced style to every class, DJ set, and dance he does. Justin offers a complex understanding of body mechanics that open new avenues of expression and movement in his students. He teaches the vocabulary of movement (connection, posture, frame, and musicality) and then gives students the freedom to use that vocabulary to create their own unique form of expression.
Holt Ballet Conservatory offers outstanding classical ballet training for youths through adults by following a comprehensive syllabus endorsed by American Ballet Theatre's national curriculum, the Vaganova training method, and the California State Framework for the Arts.
Lisa Barker, MA, RSDE; Somatic Movement Artist, Choreographer, Dancer, Register Somatic Dance Educator, and Somatic Movement Coach.
PERFORMING ARTS: THEATRE & COMEDY
Micah has been performing in Nevada County for over three decades. Primarily known as an actor, he has worked extensively with most theatre companies in the area. He has been nominated for numerous Elly Awards and is a recipient of the Dr. Leland and Sally Lewis Performing Arts Award. In addition to his vocal performance work in musical theatre, Micah has sung with many choral and chamber music vocal groups, as well as being a multi-instrumentalist who writes, performs, and records his own music. When not performing, Micah is privileged to be Production Manager with local arts organization InConcert Sierra.
Kimberly has been an active theatermaker and avid supporter of the theatrical arts her whole life. She started out as an actor, and then moved into teaching theater, directing, producing, and now playwriting. She has been involved in one capacity or another in nearly 50 shows. She holds a MFA in Creative Writing and her current project is her historically based musical drama Marion's Fire.
John Deaderick is an actor, director, and playwright, with a fondness for Beckett, Albee, Shakespeare, and Euripides. A member of Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, he has been in over 200 plays, films, and commercials. He has acted and presented for radio–with KXPR in Sacramento and KVMR in Nevada City. John directed Nevada County Arts Council in the early 80s, and chaired the Drama Department at Colfax High School. In 2017 he led a series of theatre workshops for incarcerated adults. He now teaches Acting and Theatre History at Sierra College, and reviews National Theatre Live and The Metropolitan Opera Live at Sierra Cinemas.
Kimberly is a performing artist in comedy improv, a Brazilian Samba dancer, a community theatre actor in both film and live theatre. She’s also a credentialed teacher, instructional Coach, and the Program Coordinator for NCAC's ARTISTS IN SCHOOL visual arts program.
PERFORMING ARTS: CIRCUS
I believe laughter is the best medicine, nudity is freedom., and that artists create the culture, which is the soil in which our consciousness grows. I make radically delightful, completely original, off-beat, hybrid-genre performances infused with color, absurdity hand-made details. My influences include mythology, surrealism, magic, mysticism, circus, burlesque, puppetry, and misbehaving wild women throughout history. I bring sexy, delightful, absurd, surprising, boundary-pushing ideas and images on the stage, page and screen.
An aerial dance collaborative with a focus on authentic connection and expression, the Embodiment Collective speaks their mind through movement. Kirstin and Helen met a decade ago in the Bay Area, bonding over the drive to create art that moves people. With their emotional intention focused on sharing the human experience, they are now based in the Sierra Foothills and create work that is soulful, penetrating, and speaks out against injustice. With grace and fluidity they blur the line between floor and air, bringing a soulful vulnerability to their performances.
Izzi Tooinsky has performed at festivals and events all over the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, The UK, Figi, Kenya, and Peru.
He has been part of the “New Vaudeville Movement,” bringing the joy of juggling, audience participation, and street performing to large and small events worldwide.