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Donna Hughes has written north of 500 songs.  She has released 6 albums, containing mostly original material. Nominated for Songwriter of the Year in 2024 & 2025, for the SPBGMA Awards, her songs have been recorded & performed by Multiple Grammy Winner Alison Krauss & Union Station, Grammy Nominated Band-The Seldom Scene, Wyatt Rice's solo Album (with Vocals by Dale Ann Bradley & Russell Moore), Caroline Owens, The Snyder Family, Kati Penn, Kim Robins, Linda Lay, Wilson Banjo Co., Amanda Cook, Darren Beachley, A.J. Lee & The (Molly) Tuttles, Grass Country, Carlos & The Banditos, Nu-Blu & 2004 Country Colgate Showdown Winner Heather Shelley, as well as Bria Kelly of The Voice/America’s Got Talent, Newtown, and various other Artists both well known & undiscovered, around the world.  

Donna recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and an Award for her "Naomi Wise" Video at the Sunset Film Festival. She wrote the words & music for the Naomi Wise song, based on the life of a girl from her area, who died in 1808. The Video features Jenee Fleenor on Violin, who was awarded the CMA Musician of the Year for the last four years in a row (first female ever to win.) 

In 2014, Donna was awarded the "Key" to the City of Trinity, (where she resides), from the late Thomasville City Councilman Jesse Hill, as a gift of honor for all of her accomplishments.

Donna’s songs have been written about every subject from being stuck at Walmart, to dogs on chains.  She tries to balance life through song, from the spectrum of emotions life has to offer, from hilariously funny, to extremely sad.  Donna has judged Songwriting Contests & Conducted Songwriting Workshops around the Nation. 

Donna's career received a huge boost, when the Late & Legendary Tony Rice, approached her about producing an album for her, which he did, entitled “Gaining Wisdom.”

Her next CD after that, “Hellos, Goodbyes & Butterflies,” was produced by the Late & Extraordinary J.D. Crowe. 

Donna's more notable appearances have included private performances for Race Car Giant Richard Childress; opening for David Bromberg at B.B. King’s in NYC, playing the World Renowned Music Festival "Merlefest," playing The Bear Trap in Wyoming, The Ossippee Festival in Maine, the PBS  “Song of the Mountains" in Marion, VA, the PBS Program "Live from the Dennison Lodge" in Dubois, Wyoming, multiple performances at Bluebird Cafe & The Station Inn, both in Nashville, multiple times at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta, opening for Marty Stuart at a Premier Dinner Club near Washington D.C. known as "The Birchmere." Donna has opened for many Country Stars such as Ricky Skaggs, at Dollywood, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush & Tony Rice on their solo Tours, Joe Diffie, Gene Watson, and numerous other popular, high profile venues.   

Donna is an Award Winning Realtor in North Carolina, and enjoys spending her spare time on her Grandaddy's 3rd Generation Farm with her Belgian Horses, her Bassett Hounds, Beagles, other rescue Animals, and painting Barn Quilts.

Check out our Special Episode featuring “Divided We Fall”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ha_duIn0wI

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) “One Less Dog In the Cold” by Donna Hughes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfkg-vxkMo
2) “The Corona Virus Beer Song” by Donna Hughes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQAc82DPTNw
3) “The Stable Song” by Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqyAmmEkVvI
4) “Barbed Wire Boys” by Susan Werner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpsF2wb6NmE
5) “Picture in a Frame” by Tom Waits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fphxDPTV2Bw

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Donna Hughes has written north of 500 songs.  She has released 6 albums, containing mostly original material. Nominated for Songwriter of the Year in 2024 & 2025, for the SPBGMA Awards, her songs have been recorded & performed by Multiple Grammy Winner Alison Krauss & Union Station, Grammy Nominated Band-The Seldom Scene, Wyatt Rice's solo Album (with Vocals by Dale Ann Bradley & Russell Moore), Caroline Owens, The Snyder Family, Kati Penn, Kim Robins, Linda Lay, Wilson Banjo Co., Amanda Cook, Darren Beachley, A.J. Lee & The (Molly) Tuttles, Grass Country, Carlos & The Banditos, Nu-Blu & 2004 Country Colgate Showdown Winner Heather Shelley, as well as Bria Kelly of The Voice/America’s Got Talent, Newtown, and various other Artists both well known & undiscovered, around the world. 

Donna recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and an Award for her "Naomi Wise"Video at the Sunset Film Festival. She wrote the words & music for the Naomi Wise song, based on the life of a girl from her area, who died in 1808. The Video features Jenee Fleenor on Violin, who was awarded the CMA Musician of the Year for the last four years in a row (first female ever to win.) 

In 2014, Donna was awarded the "Key" to the City of Trinity, (where she resides), from the late Thomasville City Councilman Jesse Hill, as a gift of honor for all of her accomplishments.

Donna’s songs have been written about every subject from being stuck at Walmart, to dogs on chains.  She tries to balance life through song, from the spectrum of emotions life has to offer, from hilariously funny, to extremely sad.  Donna has judged Songwriting Contests & Conducted Songwriting Workshops around the Nation. 

Donna's career received a huge boost, when the Late & Legendary Tony Rice, approached her about producing an album for her, which he did, entitled “Gaining Wisdom.”

Her next CD after that, “Hellos, Goodbyes & Butterflies,” was produced by the Late & Extraordinary J.D. Crowe. 

Donna's more notable appearances have included private performances for Race Car Giant Richard Childress; opening for David Bromberg at B.B. King’s in NYC, playing the World Renowned Music Festival "Merlefest," playing The Bear Trap in Wyoming, The Ossippee Festival in Maine, the PBS  “Song of the Mountains" in Marion, VA, the PBS Program "Live from the Dennison Lodge" in Dubois, Wyoming, multiple performances at Bluebird Cafe & The Station Inn, both in Nashville, multiple times at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta, opening for Marty Stuart at a Premier Dinner Club near Washington D.C. known as "The Birchmere." Donna has opened for many Country Stars such as Ricky Skaggs, at Dollywood, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush & Tony Rice on their solo Tours, Joe Diffie, Gene Watson, and numerous other popular, high profile venues.   

Stay tuned, as Donna will continue to write songs & make records packed with original material. 

Donna is an Award Winning Realtor in North Carolina, and enjoys spending her spare time on her Grandaddy's 3rd Generation Farm with her Belgian Horses, her Bassett Hounds, Beagles, other rescue Animals, and painting Barn Quilts.

“Divided We Fall” by Donna Hughes (video version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTjqYPuQ_AU

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As a Performance and Confidence Coach, Adam Cole wants to transform the world, one person at a time.

Adam writes about the central issues keeping us from moving: fear, doubt, lack of awareness of ourselves and our relationships.  He is constantly asking:  ‘How can we learn to see clearly in ourselves what is holding us back?

Adam began as a jazz bandleader and ballet accompanist in Atlanta, simultaneously crafting his first novel, The Myth of Magic.  He continued to write and publish during a 12 year career as a choral director.  Now he runs Willow Music where he fosters a new generation of musicians and writers who work with a greater self-understanding.

Adam is the producer of TruerMU, a YouTube Channel focusing on musical self-knowledge.  He is also the Assistant Editor of the Feldenkrais Journal of Somatic Education.

Adam’s work is available on Amazon and anywhere else books are sold.  Visit https://acole.net to be a part of Adam’s online community.

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) “Don’t Give Up” by Peter Gabriel ft. Kate Bush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjEq-r2agqc&t=1s
2) “Hymn to St. Cecilia” by Benjamin Britten
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7GSygUXlUI&t=1s
3) “Late in the Evening” by Paul Simon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilzvuie7Bks&t=1s
4) “Seelinnikoi” by Varttina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4pHUmIpUxM
5) “I Picked Up My Guitar” by Adam Cole
https://acole.net/track/3807114/i-picked-up-my-guitar-album-track

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Sarah Boyd, MM is a piano teacher, early childhood music specialist, and all-things music education enthusiast. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education  from Grove City College and a Master of Music Education from Eastern Michigan University where she studied with Dr. Heather Shouldice.  Sarah owns Piano Vine Studio, an audiation-based private and group piano studio founded in 2010 for students of all ages, both in-person and online. Sarah has completed GIML certification courses in Early Childhood, Piano Level 1 & 2, and joined as GIML faculty in 2024.

In 2010, she founded Hummingbirds Music Together, an early childhood music program for children and the grownups who love them, which she continues to direct today.  

Since 2018, she has been the Lead Teaching Artist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. This position allows her to teach both students and teachers, develop educational concerts, teacher professional development and host onstage with the orchestra. 

Sarah completed a Graduate Certificate in Injury-Preventive Well-Coordinated Keyboard Technique with Dr. Lister-Sink at Salem College in 2022. She is a member of MTNA, NFMC, and is currently serving as VP for the Michigan GIML chapter. 

Sarah and her husband, Ryan, enjoy life near Detroit, MI with their four children Julia, JP, Luke, and Wesley.
https://www.pianovinestudio.com/

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) “Defying Gravity” from Wicked the Musical, performed by Idina Menzel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLb5LSlo1Y8&t=133s

2) “Sheep May Safely Graze” by Bach, arr. by Egon Petri, performed by Leon Fleisher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVVd-gjR8Qk&t=1s

3) “You Cannot Lose My Love” by Sara Groves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgsjC-j75e8&t=88s

4) “For the Beauty of the Earth” from Be Thou My Vision by John Rutter, the Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bDoMflYErE&t=178s

5) “Halleluhah” (Improvisation on the Theme of the "Hallelujah" Chorus from Part 2 of Handel's "Messiah", HWV 56) by Gabriela Montero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIftMhlD5XU

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Award-winning music educator Merlin B. Thompson (PhD, MA, BMus) is the Creator and Founder of Teach Music 21C - a music teacher professional development program that highlights 21st century teaching tools and philosophy. Merlin is recognized internationally for his expertise in music studio teaching. His recent projects include working with hundreds of teachers, students and parents throughout Canada, USA, China, New Zealand, Australia, and Finland. Merlin is author of More than Music Lessons: A Studio Teacher’s Guide to Parents, Practicing, Projects, and Character.
You can find out more at https://www.teachmusic21c.com

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) "Bali Ha'i" from South Pacific by Rodgers and Hammerstein
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwYvWF5j0a8&t=10s

2) "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Bach, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Norman Luboff choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6OgZCCoXWc&t=1s

3) "Thankful" by Josh Groban, performed by the Rise Up Children's Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkOEzP-nGZ8

4) "Summer" from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi, performed by Alexandr Hrustevich Vilnius
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SE222v1eyM

5) My Neighbor Totoro by Joe Hisaishi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrL9d4GrIGA

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Celeste Watson (MM, MS, NCTM) helps musicians achieve artistry through well-coordinated use of the body. She holds credentials in performing arts medicine, piano performance, and music education and coordinates return-to-play mentorships for keyboard musicians who have experienced injury. She owns a conservatory-model studio for pre-collegiate students in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (www.watson-music.com).

For more information about the Lister-Sink Institute and teachings, visit https://www.lister-sink.org/

For more information about Feldenkrais movement, visit https://feldenkrais.com/

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) Waltzing Matilda sung by Slim Dusty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqtttbbYfSM&list=PLSIRqKhHhcL4nqBuFTgNJZmPqK_7YX-SH&index=2

2) "Kommt, ihr Tochter, helft mir klagen" from St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) by Bach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Be9xQrWVU&list=PLSIRqKhHhcL4nqBuFTgNJZmPqK_7YX-SH&index=3

3) French Suites, by Bach, performed by Andras Schiff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sDleZkIK-w&list=PLSIRqKhHhcL4nqBuFTgNJZmPqK_7YX-SH&index=5&t=127s

4) Goldberg Variations by Bach, performed by Andras Schiff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHFuaaGpGKQ&list=PLSIRqKhHhcL4nqBuFTgNJZmPqK_7YX-SH&index=4&t=55s

5) Wayfaring Stranger by Johnny Cash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti-FtTz8t5U&list=PLSIRqKhHhcL4nqBuFTgNJZmPqK_7YX-SH&index=1

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David Lane is an award-winning composer and arranger for film, concert, and musical theatre. He is the host of two podcasts: LIFE IN THE PIT (which is devoted to telling the stories of instrumentalists who play for musical theatre) and THE MUSICIAN TOOLKIT (which challenges musicians of all levels to develop a wide range of skills to become the most well-rounded musician they can be).  He is coming up on 25 years as a private teacher for piano, composition, and music theory, and has recently begun adding video tutorials to YouTube.  He has also served as music director or keyboardist for over 60 musical theatre productions.  He lives in High Point, NC with his wonderful wife Jennifer and their 5 cats Oliver, Lucas, Samson, Nelson, and Simone.

You can learn more at www.davidlanemusic.com

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) The Garden by Rush
https://youtu.be/uZodbmC6Mxc?si=h6c7IT8_NtY1UH8o
2) You and I Will Meet Again by Tom Petty
 https://youtu.be/8MVZ1en8evE?si=PGza_KJHdcXgX8oG
3) Onward by Yes
https://youtu.be/hbowD1NZ-zc?si=HTe_U_mFCv_2e3g9
4) It Can't Rain All The Time by Jane Siberry
https://youtu.be/Rtqyw9IS0aw?si=zRxVBb7zD899sbOm
5) Eclogue for PIano and Strings, Op. 10 composed by Gerald Finzi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGO9LpZTpRU

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ANDREA GRODY is an Olivier and Drama Desk Award-nominated music director, arranger, and composer with a focus on developing new work. She is the Music Director & Music Supervisor of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical SUFFS. Andrea was also the Music Director and Additional Arranger for THE BAND'S VISIT (Best Musical Tony Award, 2018) and the Music Director and Vocal & Incidental Arranger for TOOTSIE (Best Musical Tony nom, 2019). Other recent projects include the world premieres of Public Works’ AS YOU LIKE IT (Public Theater), CAKE OFF (Signature Theatre/Bucks County), THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE (Public Theater/Dallas Theater Center), UNKNOWN SOLDIER (Williamstown), and LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST (Shakespeare in the Park); and the regional premieres of THE GREAT IMMENSITY and VENICE (Public Theater). Other favorites include ASSASSINS (Yale Rep) and ROBIN HOOD as Composer/Music Director (Williamstown). Writing credits include the full-length musical STRANGE FACES and several songs for The Civilians' Let Me Ascertain You series. Andrea is Resident Music Director and Senior Voice Teaching Associate at New York Vocal Coaching, and she is the creator of WordWaves (www.singwordwaves.com). She is also training to be an Alexander Technique teacher. Andrea holds a B.A. Princeton University, and M.A. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

www.andreagrody.com
www.signwordwaves.com

SUFFS the Musical
https://suffsmusical.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjww5u2BhDeARIsALBuLnPIJck7Ws6LcHRoPW5bukPlF7P3Gd4YzYaoNHJNzeeuSoCkCC9TuSkaAmvDEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) Elevation by U2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19KstSgU-c0
2) Underdog by Alicia Keys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izyZLKIWGiA
3) If the Stars Were Mine by Melody Gardot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLFKKY5RHxc
4) In the Heights from In the Heights by Lin Manuel Miranda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0BVfBwVqFo&list=PLn0Zn1caShZWlW5JwG0ULhWjEa2hFN6m6
5) Don't Lose Sight by Lawrence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C01nBm6vV5c

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Artist Gurm was born in India, grew up in China and currently resides in Thailand. Having grown up and been schooled in an international environment, immersed throughout in a multi-cultural atmosphere, she has always been fascinated with the unique cultural elements and stories from all over the world. After following art as a passion since her middle school days, she honed her skills by doing a Masters in Visual Arts (Studio Art) in Hong Kong. She works in the medium of drawing, painting and mixed media, and also enjoys writing and vlogging. She has had several solo exhibitions in China and has gained recognition of her art globally. Gurm’s artistic inspiration comes from everyday life. She is interested in creating works that represent the familiar world around us. By looking beyond the obvious, Gurm reconstructs the everyday environment around us into something artistically unique, which allows the audience to discover beauty in unusual places.
For Gurm, art is not only a way to express herself, but also a therapeutic path of self-discovery. She likes to think that she has not found art, but rather art has found her. She perceives art as a medium to radiate bliss and peace of mind, and to bring life to the present moment. Gurm wants people to look at her artworks and experience the same feeling she has while creating them – freedom, satisfaction, and a journey of self-reflection.

See and Learn about Gurm's art at https://gurmsart.com

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) "Imagine" by John Lennon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugrAo8wEPiI
2) "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtC1W-6hwIU
3) "Firework" by Katy Perry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw
4) "This is Me" from the Greatest Showman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjxugyZCfuw
5) "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y66j_BUCBMY

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Lauren Best lives where the Pottawatomi River meets Georgian Bay, on the territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (now known as Owen Sound, Ontario). She is an interdisciplinary creative with a multifaceted community arts practice interweaving her work as a poet, musician, and composer/creator.

Lauren left her small Ontario town as a young singer-songwriter keyboardist and returned to become Poet Laureate Emeritus (Owen Sound, 2017-2019). Lauren is included alongside other Poets Laureate Emeritus in the City of Windsor’s South Shore Collections series, A Manor of Words: Poetry at the Manor 10th Anniversary Anthology (Black Moss Press, 2022). Her poems are published in Spike: Poems in the Time of Pestilence (Cannon Creek Press, 2021).

Lauren’s 2010 chapbook Resound Re:Sound is a collection of lyrics written in Owen Sound between 2004-2008. Lauren’s music has been heard coast to coast since her debut album release in 2011, and she’s collaborated across genres and art forms with work in music, poetry, theatre, film and digital media.

During more than a decade of community engaged arts, Lauren has partnered across sectors spanning education, cognitive neuroscience research, healthcare, social service, and cultural organizations. In 2022 she teamed up with Seattle-baed saxophonist Steve Treseler to create the Infinite Improvisation Podcast.

Lauren’s new performance pieces combine poetry from her first full-length poetry book Just Leaves (2023), set within a soundscape of keyboard and vocal improvisation paired with lyric melodies.

You can find Lauren on socials and at https://laurenbest.com or at https://bestpracticearts.com/index.html

Lauren's Top 5 Songs of Encouragement:
1) This Joy by The Resistance Revival Chorus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TbDPwA09Bc&t=15s
2) Soy Yo by Bomba Estereo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxWxXncl53U&t=48s
3) Fool for Waiting by Dan Mangan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W4sCAl1qzY
or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJjDQ_OzLt8
4) Mississippi Nuthin' by Shovels & Rope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMKxTjo21bI&t=21s
5) Don't Quit on Me by Richard Laviolette
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVBDEsGcj8g&t=95s

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