John Kirk & Trish Miller

Lively fiddle tunes, folksongs and fancy footwork are featured in a concert with  John Kirk & Trish Miller.  Themes of many selections are rooted in the local lore of the Adirondacks and northeast woodlands.  This couple is from upstate New York near Saratoga Springs. Jazz at Lincoln Center and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs selected Mountain Quickstep (John, Trish, Sara Milonovich & Greg Anderson) for the 2011-12 season of The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad program.

John and Trish entertain with a diverse repertoire of original and traditional music.  Their shows appeal to audiences of all ages with quick-pickin’ tunes, sentimental songs, educational content and percussive clog dancing. Leading the way are John’s fiddle selections from Americana, Canadian and Celtic styles.  John’s warm tenor voice is clear and engaging.  Both artists take turns exchanging guitar, banjo, mandolin and syncopated rhythm steps as part of their shows.  The variety of songs can be humorous, old fashioned, story-telling, original, popular and poetic. Together they provide entertainment for concerts, dances, schools and special occasions.

John Kirk is known for his lyric voice, good sense of humor and versatile instrumental skills. On fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, keyboard and tin whistle, John demonstrates a vast knowledge of musical traditions.  He is also a composer, dancer and dance caller. He and his wife, Trish, have their own recordings and John has contributed to over one hundred more. He has always made his living as a musician, music educator and songwriter. In addition to his work with Trish, he works with the Susquehanna Stringband, the Dawnland Singers and the Vanaver Caravan.  For almost ten years John worked with Walt Michael & Co. He can be heard on TV and recording projects with Jay Ungar, Molly Mason and other notable musicians.  The Dixie Chicks recorded his song, “Long Roads”.  Together John and Trish have also taught at many music camps and played for special events.

Trish Miller  has been teaching and performing Appalachian clogging since 1980. She plays guitar, banjo and mandolin. She also calls dances and has choreographed country routines for theater and concerts. Trish learned her dance style  in the southern mountains then picked up more contemporary influences from tap and Celtic styles. She gained professional dance experience with the Green Grass Cloggers, from Asheville, N.C., and toured with them internationally as well as across the U.S.  Since 1985 Trish and John have been working together as teaching artists in school music and dance programs. Trish organizes these arts in education ventures and also teaches banjo and clogging workshops. More info. is available on the website,  www.johnandtrish.com

John and Trish have worked together for over two decades making traditional and original music and dance their career. Both artists teach at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, and John is part of the music faculty at Bennington College in Vermont. Working as teaching artists for school residences has been important to them. There are five schools that have made their residences an annual part of the school calendar for over a decade.  John and Trish have been an ongoing part of programming for the Great Camp Sagamore and for the resort, Mohonk Mountain House for many years. Another annual event has been coordinating dances at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, an internationally known summer event in the Catskill Mountains. These artists have worked at many music camps, private parties and other prestigious programs presenting heartwarming tunes, songs, dances and entertainment.

Since 1995, the duet has been joined by three additional artists creating the fiddle band, Quickstep. These fiddlers and multi-instrumentalists are Ed Lowman, Sara Milonovich a Cedar Stanistreet. The larger group still plays for special events together and these individuals tour on their own as well.

Sing Out magazine said, “John Kirk is a fine player on all his instruments and he sings quite well. With such a widely varied repertoire, there’s really something here for everyone. This is one that’s worth seeking out.”

For more information -  please check out www.johnandtrish.com