“Mountain Songs for the Soul” comes from the idea that singing traditional ballads and folk songs can strengthen us for hard times as well as help us celebrate the good times. Rooted in Southern Appalachian song traditions, musician Susan Pepper will pick from some of her favorites, explore where they come from —and teach them in this interactive and fun workshop. “Mountain Songs for the Soul” is for anybody who wants to explore the role that singing plays in their lives as well as learn a few songs from the Blue Ridge Mountains to carry forward. Think of these mostly old songs as something you can have in your own life’s “toolkit”. The Zoom platform is well suited for unaccompanied singing as singers can sing along without the pressure of being heard by others. A PDF with lyrics will be provided for attendees.

About the Presenter

Pepper has spent many years collecting songs and stories from traditional singers in Western North Carolina. She has performed at the Library of Congress and teaches ballad workshops online as well as at regional and national venues such as Banjo-Fiddle Frolic, John C. Campbell Folk School and Traditional Youth Song Weekend. She has a Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies with a focus in music, and created an album of her field recordings with a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council. She is also the co-producer of the recent Appalachian music film, The Mountain Minor. For more on Susan: www.susanpepper.com