Posts Tagged: Ashley Peck

I’m the type that likes to be busy so this December’s wild and wooly pace really suits me just fine.  We are 2/3 of the way through the Celtic Trio’s Christmas tour.  This is my second year participating in this ensemble with longtime American/Irish Contemporary Celtic duo Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning.  So far we’ve been to the San Juan Islands, Seattle, Eugene, Corvallis, Albany and Portland playing to a lot of full houses.  Check the schedule at Ark Music for remaining dates!

Our new CD Under the Wonder Sky was recently chosen by John Diliberto, host of NPR’s Echoes program as the CD of the month for December.  Our interview airs December 14th.  You can listen online and read the online review by clicking here.

When I return from tour, I’ll be presenting two concerts of my own—the 7th annual Acoustic Christmas Concerts with Wendy Goodwin & Friends.  Joining me this year is a wonderful and eclectic cast of musicians including Violinist Alexandra Kazmierowicz, Cellist Ashley Peck, Bassist Nolan Staples, Mandolin Virtuoso Jacob Jolliff (home on Christmas break from a national tour with Joy Kills Sorrow), Guitarist Nate Macy, Pianist Bryan Clark, Percussionist Bill Nippoldt and vocalist Bethany Cibolski.  That’s a total of nine people including myself:  woooooo—hooooo! 

Tuesday, December 21st
7:30 PM
Cloud Seven Cafe (NW 10th & Johnson—Pearl District, Portland) 
Concert is Free. Desserts, espresso drinks and local wines available for purchase.

Wednesday, December 22nd
7:30 PM
West Chehalem Friends Church (16700 NE North Valley Road, Newberg) MAP
Concert is Free—family friendly and all are welcome.

I’m still teaching my private students too whenever I land for a moment back in town.  I have a few little ones who are on the verge of completing Suzuki Book 1… I keep telling them “before the sun sets on December 31st you WILL complete Gavotte!”  It’s fun having concrete goals to shoot for.  I am so proud of my kiddos.

Last night I was able to join vocalist Tasha Miller for a private party as a part of her “Educated Band.”  It was a real privilege to share the stage—er the fireside room—with pianist Kerry McCoy, Bassist Kevin Dietz and Guitarist Dan Balmer.  Tasha knows how to entertain… decked in a red taffeta party dress and standing in 5 inch heels the lady had the room captivated with sassy renditions of Santa Baby, gospel infused Silent Night and some folk and jazz standards.

It would be easy to get a little crazy with all of this coming and going, different music to prepare and all, but I just keep reminding myself to just enjoy every new experience and not to take myself too seriously!

How is your Holiday season shaping up?

Last Wednesday & Thursday it was Wendy Nirvana as some of my favorite pass-times converged.

Like Starbust candy: sweet and tart at the same time.

Like Oreo cookies:  creaminess and crunchiness working together for the ultimate junk food experience.

In other words…

I got to be outdoor adventure girl with my violin!  Together with brave fellow musicians Ashley, Nelly & Kelli we were part of a video shoot that drew us from the very rugged edge of the Oregon Coast (and when I say edge, I mean edge!) to the watery wonderland of the Columbia River Gorge. 

There was a great team spirit facilitated in part by my dear parents who came along to bless us with amazing food and care for the wee ones of Effesenden.  We met new friends: thanks Tye & David for all of the trees leapt out of and rivers forded.  We bowed to the whims of artistic genius and adventurous madman Sam Martin (I mean that in the most complimentary of ways Sam!)  And now we wait with great anticipation to see what  emerges from this wild ride. 

I am so excited to share the finished piece with all of you!  From the little bit of footage we saw, I think it’s going to be very unique!  Until then I will continue to nurse my aching feet and mosquito bitten arms.

We had a great time at the Summer Splash concert today in Lake Oswego.    It was exciting to debut a new song called Tired of Waiting and to do some covers that are new to us.  In particular, our pianist, Aaron Pruitt, did a fantastic new arrangement of Billy Joel’s Lullaby which he dedicated to my daughter Vienna… it is so awesome and humbling to play with musicians who are such kind people on top of being amazing artists… Thanks Aaron! 

The ensemble was a fun combo of instruments—a quartet with me doing double duty violin and vocals, Ashley Peck on cello, Nate Macy doing guitar and bass and Aaron Pruitt on vocals and keys.  I hope we’ll find more opportunities to perform with this group as it is very versatile and has a fun chamber vibe to it.

Thank you so much for coming out and spending your lunch hour with us.