Performer Archive
2014-current
- NWMF Orchestra Director, Nan Washburn2024 Performer
- Ruth King2024 Featured Speaker, Ruth King
- Miss Brown to You2024 Performer
- Drum Chorus Directed by Rani Biffle-QuimbaRani was a member of the NWMF’s first drum chorus and has participated in this festival as a workshop presenter, assistant director of the NWMF drum chorus, assistant facilitator for drum jams, and in performances with Sistah Ngoma.
- Ukulele Chorus Director, Jori CostelloJori Costello, Director of the NWMF Ukulele Chorus
- Vocal Chorus Director, Renée JanskiDirector of the NWMF Vocal Chorus
- Rainbow Girls2023 NWMF Performer
- Melba’s Kitchen2023 NWMF Performer
- Holly Near with Jan Martinelli and Tammy Hall2023 NWMF Performer
- NWMF Orchestra Ensemble2023 Orchestra
- Deidre McCalla2023 NWMF Performer
- Be Steadwell2023 NWMF Performer
- Dianne Davidson2023 NWMF Performer
- Mimi Gonzalez2023 NWMF Performer
- SONiA disappear fear2023 NWMF Performer
- Tammy L. Hall2023 NWMF Performer
- Indigie Femme2023 NWMF Performer
- Nancy Day2023 NWMF Performer
- Janell Banks2023 NWMF Performer
- Jesse Powers2023 NWMF Performer
- Kofy Brown Band – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022
- Sarah Bush Dance Project – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022
- Big Bad Gina Band – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022 Award-Winning “Amazon Warrior Princess” Goddess Groove! It’s Folkin’ Rockin’!
- Mimi Fox – 2022Performed on the Spotlight Stage and with the NWMF Orchestra in 2022 Mimi is a consummate improviser who seizes the imagination of her listeners with her passion, soul, and unerring ear for beauty.
- Suzanne Westenhoefer – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022
- Melanie DeMore – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022
- Sandra Valls – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022 Sandra Valls is a comic, actor, singer, writer, and badass.
- Kristen Merlin – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022
- Pamela Means – 2022Performed on the Spotlight Stage in 2022 "Within the music industry, I've been compared to both Tracy Chapman and Ani DiFranco. I've also been described as a cross between Suzanne Vega and Jimi Hendrix. And, heir to the legacy of Nina Simone. But, really, I'm just me." - Pamela Means
- World on Fire – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022 "World On Fire” is anything but a conventional modern poetry reading.
- Hardened and Tempered – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022 Hard enough to hold an edge; soft enough not to break—Austin, Texas duo Kristin Davidson and Carolyn Phillips live that balance and express it in their music.
- SeekHer7 – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022 SeekHer7: collaborative, conscious, collective gatherings with meditation, music, movement, learning, co-creating, deep listening, respectful, safe discovery and above all, boundless joy.
- Sistah Ngoma – 2022Performed on the Spotlight Stage in 2022 A dynamic women's multicultural drum, song, and dance group
- e nina jay – 2022Performed on the SheRocks Stage in 2022 e nina jay, winner of the 2019 National Women's Music Festival Emerging Artists Contest
- Nancy Scott with Millie Marlow – 2022Performed on the Spotlight Stage in 2022 For over 40 years she has been creating songs ranging from folk to blues blended with a touch of country that draws upon her daily experiences and expresses her soul.
- Judith Casselberry, Ph.D. Keynote Speaker – 2022Featured Speaker in 2022 Amazon Rise Again
- Bonnie Morris, Ph.D. – Keynote Speaker – 2022Keynote Speaker HOW WOMEN WON THE VOTE: lessons from feminist foremothers.
- 2021 Virtual Festival – Sarah Bush Dance Project“Spirit & Bones is a call to action, a call to join together and build loving community,”
- 2021 Virtual Festival – Kofy Brown BandKofy's music is a soulful combination of funk, rock, blues and hip-hop topped off with a singing and rap style she calls word song.
- 2021 Virtual Festival – SeekHer 7 – Natalia Zukerman and Lisa FerraroSeekHer7: collaborative, conscious, collective gatherings with meditation, music, movement, learning, co-creating, deep listening, respectful, safe discovery and above all, boundless joy.
- 2021 Virtual Festival – Giwayen MataGiwayen Mata’s mission is to celebrate our lives as women and uplift our communities and our planet while perpetuating the cultures of Africa and the Afrikan Diaspora through the study, creation, teaching, and presentation of artistic media including dances, rhythms, songs, poetry, and prose around the world.
- 2021 Virtual Festival – The Blu JanesPositive hip hop for your soul to your soles.
- e nina jayPoet and the 2019 Emerging Artist Competition Winner
- NWMF Orchestra EnsembleNWMF Orchestra presents The Women's Composers Series
- Sandra VallsVoted by Latina Magazine as one of the Top 33 Bad Ass Comics with Latin Roots
- Carly CalberoNational Women’s Music Festival’s 2018 Emerging Artist
- Lourdes PérezPuerto Rican-born composer, poet, decimista, oral historian, vocalist and guitarist Lourdes Pérez is known for her “achingly beautiful contralto voice” and her ability to write emotionally rich songs about people, places, history and ideals.
- The Diva Jazz OrchestraHard-charging. Powerful. Immersed in the history of their craft and in total command of their instruments. That’s DIVA – an ensemble of 15 extremely talented and versatile musicians who just happen to be women. They can’t help it – they were born that way. Headed by swinging drummer Sherrie Maricle, DIVA exudes the excitement and ...
- Lisa Vogel – Featured SpeakerFounder and producer of the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival
- Elvira Kurt…she does it all without caffeine!
- Crys MatthewsCrys Matthews is nothing if not ambitious. In August 2017, she simultaneously released both a new full-length album, The Imagineers and an EP, Battle Hymn For An Army Of Lovers. These collections showcase two sides of Matthews’ dynamic songwriting; The Imagineers is a selection of thoughtful songs about love and life while Battle Hymn For ...
- Heather Mae with JJ Jones...an artist who startles your senses on many levels, engaging the part of your brain that makes you shake your hips, but also raise your fist in solidarity.
- SuedeOne part Rat Pack, one part Rosie Clooney, Suede is the "Diva la Difference" - sassy, smooth and simply intoxicating.
- Gaye AdegbalolaGaye is a storyteller, a modern day griot.
- Karen Williams AliveComic, Emcee, Host, Motivational Speaker and Humor Eductator
- Tret FureTret is truly a Renaissance Woman!
- Jennifer BerezanShe is a unique blend of singer/ songwriter, producer, and activist.
- Natalia ZukermanThe Women Who Rode Away
- Valerie Coleman with Carla CarterNWMF Orchestra Presents The Women's Composers Series
- Brynn Albanese & Susan GaddertNWMF Orchestra presents The Women's Composers Series
- Jorjet Harper, Dr. Carla Carter and Nedra Johnson-Featured SpeakersPAVING THE WAY: BLACK WOMEN WHO INSPIRE ACROSS THE GENERATIONS
- kg lang – A Tribute to Women’s Folk Rockkg lang - A Tribute to Women's Folk Rock
- Nan Washburn/Orchestra ProgramNan Washburn is one of the most innovative and dynamic conductors working in the U.S. today. For her engaging performances and fresh approach to concert programming, critics have hailed her work as having "perspicacity, nerve, imagination and all-around savvy."
- Tea with Alice and MeZoe tells the story of, Alice Paul, the great teacher of Nonviolent Direct Action and the incendiary thread of tea in the American Women’s Revolution; Seneca Falls: 1848 to Washington DC 2018.
- Cris WilliamsonCris' music, it was like hearing honey dripped on a cello... Cris has been a whole lot of women's heroes!
- Gaye Adegbalola & The Wild RūtzThe Rutz combine their four distinct voices to present a humorous, informative, harmonious, uplifting and entertaining show. An a cappella blues quartet complimented by percussion and occasional guitar.
- Lucie Blue TremblayCelebrating the release of her new CD "Counting My Blessings"
- Poppy Champlin“Poppy was a freakin’ ball of comedic thunder,” says one fan
- We Aren’t Dead YetDianne and Deidre recorded for Olivia Records and all three played at hundreds of venues, including women's and folk festivals nationwide. They’re all middle-aged but they aren’t dead yet.
- Sharon Katz and The Peace TrainFrom South Africa, bringing music of unity.
- Kristen FordKristen's live shows are not to be missed, wherever the road shall lead.
- Katy Guillen and The GirlsAuthentic, authoritative rock band...rooted heavily in the blues!
- Leela and Ellie Grace“Leela’s and Ellie’s singing is clear, pitch- perfect, and expressive. ‘Soaring’ is a word that comes to mind.”
- Nia & NessWinners of the 2017 NWMF Emerging Artist Contest
- Audra SergelLives to tell stories of life, love, and beauty through her music.
- Kate PetersonYou may remember her as one-half of the pleasantly aggressive folk duo Nervous but Excited - Kate is going to bring the same love + a soul-refined sound to the NWMF stage.
- Summer OsborneEmerging Artist Coordinator - changing the world by changing people’s minds about themselves…
- Black Women Who Changed History – Featured SpeakersBlack women of achievement have been overlooked or deliberately ignored in the “mainstream narrative” of history. Indeed, the names and stories of countless black women who contributed to their societies in ways that should be recognized and remembered are entirely lost to us today. This multimedia presentation will honor the lives and work of a ...
- kg langFrom Melissa Etheridge to the Indigo Girls, from Brandi Carlile to all things Lilith Fair, St. Louis based acoustic trio kg lang is a striking tribute to the women’s folk rock genre. With soaring vocals by Kristen Goodman and intoxicating harmonies and instrumentation by Cindy Minnis and Laura McMurray, kg lang will evoke fond memories of your ...
- Babe! An Olympian MusicalThe 2017 National Women’s Music Festival showcased Babe! An Olympian Musical
- ZrazyNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Suzanne WestenhoeferNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Linda Tillery & the Womanly Way Reunion BandNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Ferron with Barbara HigbieNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- MazzMuseNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Pura Fe’National Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- HEAR In NOWNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Women of the Harlem RenaissanceNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Barbara HigbieNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Violet and the UndercurrentsNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Irene TuNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Chelsey DanielleNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Carole Walker and Helen YeeNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Jorian OxygenNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Margie AdamSweet Friend of mine - it took so long to find you...
- Renee JanskiNational Women's Music Festival - July 6-9, 2017
- Alive"infectious rhythms, stunning vocals, innovative arrangements, intelligent and heartfelt original compositions"
- Mary WatkinsHer music reflects many styles – jazz, gospel, country, rock, classical and pop.
- Nan Washburn... her engaging performances and fresh approach to concert programming, critics have hailed her work as having "perspicacity, nerve, imagination and all-round savvy."
- Nedra Johnson & the Fat Bottom Girls4 Tuba players and a rhythm section - Blues based, with a repertoire that includes R&B, rock, funk, gospel and jazz. "This is womyn's music baby."
- Mazz Swiff with guest Silva Bolognesioften reversing the traditional roles of their instruments while approaching melody, harmony and rhythm in a fresh and often surprising way
- SuedeThink sophisticated pop/jazz, think naughty blues with a sizzling trumpet, think love songs that will make you swoon
- Andrea GibsonAndrea Gibson is not gentle with their truths. It is this raw fearlessness that has led them to the forefront of the spoken word movement.
- Marga Gomez“If film and television producers want to take more risks in their depiction of lesbian life they should go directly to the caustic musings of Marga Gomez.” New York Times
- Ubaka HillUbaka creatively weaves percussion, poetry and song to inspire a positive uplifting atmosphere...
- Carolyn Gage...she specializes in non-traditional roles for women, especially those reclaiming famous lesbians whose stories have been distorted or erased from history.
- Sharon Katz and The Peace TrainA mission of peace.
- Vickie ShawThe funniest comedian EVER! She said so herself!
- Kristen Ford BandA ball of energy on stage, pushing joy into the crowd and getting the audience to echo back this enthusiasm.
- Summer OsborneShe masterfully amalgamates the human condition, spirituality, truth, love and healing.
- Crys Matthewsblends Americana, folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass and funk into a bold, complex performance
- Violet and the Undercurrents“..Sophisticated folk-rockers ..”
- Kiya HeartwoodDirector of the Folk Orchestra
- Linda TilleryA women's music icon...
- June and Jean MillingtonAlice de Buh will join June and Jean for a Mini-Fanny Reunion at National. Filling out the band will be Janelle Burdell.
- Cris WilliamsonA voice in the soundtrack of the Women's Music Movement.
- Laura Love with Big Bad GinaPowerhouse combination of the funk bassist and the brilliant acoustic to radical electric trio!
- Melanie DeMoreWeaves the fibers of African American folk music with soulful ballads, spirituals and her own original music.
- Zoë LewisA worldbeat-vaudeville extravaganza!
- Nedra JohnsonShe is unapologetically queer and graciously thankful to the women’s music scene.
- Alix Olson"...an ingenious poet, a serious thinker, a funny person..."
- Lucie Blue TremblayShe is one of Canada’s beautiful voices and songwriters.
- Tret FureVeteren singer songwriter.
- C.C. CarterPoet, Teacher, Activist and Artist
- Tory Trujillo and Sweet SongComprised of musical powerhouses, Tory Trujillo, Rachel Alexander and Kara Barnard.
- NgaireA musician that takes on the responsibility to help create space for all of us to connect back to ourselves, back to nature and back to each other.
- Jori Costello"Songs of My Soul" A play written and performed by Jori
- Alix Dobkin"Womyn's music legend..." — Spin
- Ruth BarrettMusician, Singer, Songwriter, Author, Priestess and Educator
- Kristin LemsFounded the National Women's Music Festival in 1974.
- Jamie AndersonLaughter is a big part of Jamie’s live performance.
- Miriam DavidsonFestival Choir Director
- B. Wahru Cleveland and Rani QuimbaLeaders of the Drum Chorus
- Edwina Lee TylerPercussionist, composer, vocalist, dancer and actress, Edwina blends these entire elements into more than just a performance, but into jubilation.
- OrendaOrenda is Gayla Drake, Natalie Brown, Laurie Haag, Kimberli Maloy, Kim-Char Meredith and Lojo Russo
- Irene Keenan JrAmericana Rock Vocal Powerhouse
- Dos FallopiaTwin Sisters of Different Cul-de-sacs (aka Peggy Platt and Lisa Koch, Seattle sketch comics)
- Supervillain Fire DrillSka music from Madison, Wisconsin!
- Kristen Ford Bandstrives to be a new breed of rock
- Lucie Blue Tremblayserenades listeners with a rich, warm voice that can soar from a throaty purr to strong, crystal tones, her songs combining a soft melodic essence with a depth of feeling that is riveting,
- Summer Osborne BandI do this because I believe I have something to say And I believe what I have to say is worth sharing
- Beth Kille19-time Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) award winning artist
- Gaye Adegbalola & the Wild RutzGaye Adegbalola can engage, provoke, and inspire just about any audience.
- Mama’s Black Sheepone guitar, a bunch of drums, two amazing voices, a dash of humor, a touch of love, and some outrageously strong musicianship
- Kiya Heartwoodsoulful confessions, political broadside, and a wicked groove.
- Cheryl Wheelerbrilliant, hysterical performances and beautifully crafted songs
- Hills to HollersLAURIE LEWIS, LINDA TILLERY, and BARBARA HIGBIE
- Catie Curtis“Folk-rock goddess”
Program Archive