1
2
3
4
Kristin Andreassen
Kristin Andreassen’s most recent release is an album of children’s music about emotions. The Bright Siders’ A Mind of Your Own (Smithsonian Folkways) was created with psychiatrist Dr. Kari Groff and features the voices of Ed Helms, The War & Treaty, Gaby Moreno, Punch Brothers, Kaîa Kater, and many more. Chosen as one of 2020’s top three children’s releases by the American Library Association, the album followed up on Kristin’s first kids’ radio hit – a song called “Crayola Doesn’t Make a Color for Your Eyes.” Kristin has toured and recorded with the stringband Uncle Earl, the “folk noir” trio Sometymes Why, the percussive dance company Footworks, and NYC’s anti-folk superhero Jeffrey Lewis. She’s had the honor of recording with producers John Paul Jones, Dirk Powell, Mark Schatz, José Ayerve, Robin MacMillan, and Shane Leonard (coming soon!). One favorite MoM-inspired collaboration is this video — created by Anna Roberts-Gevalt — which uses shadow puppets and body percussion to show “How the Water Walks.” Kristin studied community development at McGill University and in rural Canada, and she finds that experience relevant to her work building an empowering musical community here. She now lives in Nashville.
Laura Cortese
Laura Cortese has built a distinguished career as an Americana fiddler, songwriter and vocalist. She is now one of the most in-demand musical collaborators on the folk circuit. She grew up in San Francisco, CA and moved to Boston, MA to study at Berklee College of Music, immersing herself in the city's vibrant indie music scene and enjoying a busy touring-and-studio career which included appearances with Band of Horses at Carnegie Hall and Pete Seeger at Newport Folk Festival. She tours internationally with her band, the Dance Cards. The group is bold and elegant, schooled in the lyrical rituals of folk music and backed by grooves that alternatively inspire Cajun two-stepping and rock ’n’ roll hip swagger. Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards have appeared at venues and festivals throughout the US, UK, Sweden, Canada, India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Estonia, Montenegro, Greece and Bangladesh pairing sophisticated string arrangements (two fiddles, cello & bass) and rich vocal harmonies with poignant and powerful singing.
Lauren Balthrop
Lauren Balthrop is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter born and raised in Alabama where her family gatherings always included sing-alongs of the Everly Brothers, the Andrew Sisters, the Louvin Brothers, and the Beatles. After 10 years making her way in NYC, she heard the siren call of Nashville where she now calls home. Lauren released her 2nd album Things Will Be Different in August of 2022 on Olivia Records. She is also the director of the Nashville branch of Blue Balloon Songwriting School, the NYC originated music school that teaches kids and adults instrument instruction through songwriting. Her big folk-rock band and "small town" with her brother called Balthrop, Alabama toured all across the states to a cultish following. Her 60's inspired girl group, The Bandana Splits, has released two records with songs landing on shows such as HBO's 'Bored to Death' and the re-boot of ‘Magnum P.I.’ She's also toured extensively as a multi-instrumentalist for Elizabeth & the Catapult, Kevin Morby, Michaela Anne and Ximena Sariñana. Lauren is a knitter and tap dancer too!
Clara Baker
Clara Baker is an audio engineer/producer/musician from Portland, OR. She works at several full-service recording studios in the Portland area where she records, produces, and mixes music. Clara is passionate about helping songwriters and musicians record their music in a unique and authentic way that captures the emotional essence of each song. As both a singer-songwriter and an audio professional, Clara brings a unique perspective to the recording process. In her sessions, she strives to create a safe and welcoming space for artists to share their stories and create meaningful art. Clara is a member of SoundGirls, and is committed to transforming the culture of recording studios. This will be her 5th year at Miles of Music!