TJ's high energy and solid groove are notorious for inspiring dancers and musicians alike. He has toured with dozens of contra dance bands including Lift Ticket, Dr Groove, The Hillbillies From Mars, The Rodney Miller Band, The String Beings, and The Rocket Boys with Cailen Campbell. As a session musician, he has performed and recorded with Vassar Clements, John McCutcheon, Robin and Linda Williams, and Tom Paxton. TJ has adapted the mandolin to all different styles from jazz to middle eastern. Best of all, he loves playing for dancers.
Rodney Miller was designated a "Master Fiddler" in 1983 by the National Endowment for the Arts and is widely considered to be the foremost exponent of New England Style Fiddling, a unique American blend of French Canadian and Celtic influences. He has toured the US, British Isles, Australia and Denmark, performed at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and appeared on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion. Rodney has taught at hundreds of music and dance festivals, and recorded over ten albums. He founded the influential contra dance band Airdance and is presently enlivening the contra dance scene with two other hot bands The Stringrays and the Blue Ribbon Dance Band.
Jeffrey Spero has become one of the premiere dance pianists on the west coast. Known for his energetic style and creative arrangements, Jeff has brought his talents to dances and festivals throughout the nation. His accompaniments bring a fresh perspective to traditional forms. Through performances with The Syncopaths, along with renowned fiddlers Richard Greene (Bluegrass), Kathleen Keane (Irish), Laura Risk (Scottish), and Tom Sauber (Old-time), Jeff's reputation as a highly sought after pianist has been well established.
Mark Hellenberg is the most thrilling contra dance percussionist in the business. He's been featured on over a dozen recordings including two Green Linnet releases by the Celtic ensemble The House Band. Mark is in high demand at contra dance weekends and festivals playing with many of the most popular contra dance bands, including Notorious, Airdance, Hotpoint String Band, The Sevens, and Wild Asparagus.
Ralph Gordon is a uniquely versatile musician, bringing decades of musical experience to the bass and cello. He is equally at home in folk, old time, swing, jazz, blues, bluegrass, klezmer, chamber group settings and all styles of music for dancers. Ralph has performed with many individuals and groups in a multitude of musical styles and settings from weddings and special events to Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley and Strathmore Hall. He teaches bass and performance classes at summer and weekend camps across the country and plays at festivals across the country and venues around the world.