KEITH MURPHY
A native of Newfoundland, Keith Murphy (Brattleboro, VT) is a highly respected traditional singer and guitar player based in Brattleboro, VT. He performs in many configurations but his most enduring musical collaborator is his wife and fiddler Becky Tracy with whom he often performs. Other projects include the Hanneke Cassel Band and a duo with Yann Falquet featuring songs of Quebec and Newfoundland. Keith also performs solo showcasing his song repertoire and with his Band of Amber, a grouping that performs music related to his most recent solo project, Bright As Amber (June 2023). He also worked extensively with traditional song icon, Tony Barrand.
Keith is a faculty member of the Brattleboro Music Center (BMC) and the artistic director of the BMC’s Northern Roots Traditional Music Festival in Brattleboro Vermont which he founded in 2008. He is an accomplished composer and arranger in the realm of traditional music and has also composed for theater and film. Several of his compositions were prominently featured in the Ken Burns’ documentary on the Roosevelts. He is a featured performer on well over a dozen recordings and a guest musician on numerous others. He has four highly regarded solo recordings.
LISSA SCHNECKENBURGER
Over the last several decades, fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger (Brattleboro, VT) has made music that showcased everything from traditional New England dance tunes, to original songs inspired by her experience as a foster and
adoptive parent. Her recent recording, Falling Forward, has blended her love of traditional music with her love of
writing, in her first fiddle-forward album in over a decade.
Raised in a small town in Maine, Lissa grew up with music. She began playing fiddle at the age of six, inspired by her parents' interest in folk music. In 2001, she graduated from the New England Conservatory of
Music with a degree in Contemporary Improvisation. She has been writing, performing, and teaching music here in Brattleboro and around the world ever since.
To me, music creates community," Schneckenburger says. "Music is what people sing along to,
dance to, fall in love to... music brings people together."
MARKO PACKARD
Marko Packard (Montague, MA) lives in Western Massachusetts and is an Irish flute player, saxophonist, and guitarist. He has been playing traditional music for most of his
life. He has toured the US and England with contradance bands including Airdance, Reckless Abandon, and The Groovemongers, and was a founding member of Elixir. He was saxophonist with the tap-dance company Rhythm In Shoes, and has also composed and performed music for several films, including the
short film "Gravel", which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2003. His collective collaboration called Undertoe, with English accordionist Karen Tweed and banjoist Stuart Kenney was a marvelous meeting of the minds, and resulted in their 2006 album, "Walking Down Angell Road." Marko has taught music at Ashokan Northern Week and the BACDS American week in Mendocino, CA. Marko is currently
working on his first solo album and playing with the contradance band The Vintons (with Andy Davis & George Wilson) and the Swedish band Flurut. When not playing music, he works as a public librarian.
LIZ NELSON
Liz Nelson (Greenfield, MA) is a contra caller based in Greenfield, MA. She’s known for her clear, easy-to-follow teaching style, steady presence, and warm, welcoming energy. Liz approaches every gig with an open mind because she knows that people of all ages and experience levels can find joy and success in the dance hall. She also loves taking to the dance floor herself, and serves on committees that run contra and fusion events in Western MA.
Since stepping up to the mic as a contra dance caller in 2018, Liz has learned so much about the community she loves through the adventures and experiences she’s had. Liz has called at regular dances, festivals, and special events across the country from Maine to Hawai’i—and
she’s always excited to see where the dance floor will take her next.
LOUISA ENGLE
One of Louisa Engle’s (Brattleboro, VT) fondest childhood memories is dancing through a long tunnel of clasped hands during a contra dance at her elementary school. She grew up to be a fiddler and fiddle teacher who is passionate about bringing together musicians and dancers of different ages and abilities.
Louisa has taught at the Brattleboro Music Center, Maine Fiddle Camp, and Nelson Elementary School, has had numerous private students, and has called and played at family contra dances throughout New England. She has helped run the legendary all-night Brattleboro Dawn Dance for a decade. Her current interests include Maypole dances, claw hammer banjo, family dance calling, and alternate fiddle tunings.
PETER SIEGEL
Educator and founding member of The Gaslight Tinkers, Peter Siegel's (Brattleboro, VT) music is deeply rooted in American traditions, yet spans the globe. Over the years he's shared the stage and been mentored by folks like Pete Seeger, Jay Unger and Molly Mason, Utah Phillips, and Noel Paul Stookey. He was a bandmate of bluegrass powerhouse Michael Daves and poet Alicia Jo Rabins in the 90's "New Old Time" band Underbelly, which the Berkshire Eagle called "a supergroup of New England talent." Peter also contributed and recorded on the Grammy award winning Pete Seeger album, "Tomorrow's Children," and has published songs in Sing Out! magazine and the fiddle tune compilation, The Portland Collection.
As as educator, Peter has been teaching in the public schools and writing songs and theatrical productions with children for the last 20 years, as well as being a contributing writer to The George Lucas Foundation site Edutopia on social curriculum and music educational practices. His Symonds School CD Peace Place won a Parents Choice Award in 2012.
AMANDA WITMAN
Amanda Witman (Brattleboro, VT) is a singer, song leader, instrumentalist, and event organizer. Her love of harmony infuses her singing and playing. She is an advocate for inclusive, community-based music where players and singers at all levels are encouraged and supported.
Amanda leads the monthly 3rd Saturday Brattleboro Pub Sing, which she founded in 2011 with legendary Brattleboro singer, Tony Barrand. She helps organize the annual Northern Roots Festival and teaches at the Brattleboro Music Center. Since 2015, she has performed with Vermont-based quartet Big Woods Voices, presenting detailed, original art arrangements of poetry and other songs. But her favorite thing is just sitting around with a few friends and swapping songs wherever and whenever they happen to be together.
AND OTHER 2026 STAFF!
This year, our fabulous Romp staff is slated to include Keith Murphy, Naomi Morse, Stefan & Mary Alice Amidon, Lissa Schneckenburger, Marko Packard, Ben Carr, Becky Graber, Liz Nelson, Garrett Sawyer, Louisa Engle, Peter Siegel, and Amanda Witman.
Our wonderful artist and artisan staff will include the return of John Shaw (screen printing) and Rob Zimmermann (cider pressing), and a special contribution by Tom Yahner (juggling).
More bios and photos coming soon!