ABOUT WINDBORNE
Old songs | BOLD HARMONY
NPR RAVES:
“The best musical discovery of the year…stunningly powerful
Windborne sets a new bar for harmony singing today!”
Windborne’s captivating show draws on the singers’ deep roots in traditions of vocal harmony, while the absolute uniqueness of their artistic approach brings old songs into the present. Known for the innovation of their arrangements, their harmonies are bold and anything but predictable.
With a 20-year background studying polyphonic music around the world, Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, and Will Rowan share a vibrant energy onstage with a blending of voices that can only come from decades of friendship alongside dedicated practice. The ensemble shifts effortlessly between drastically different styles of music, drawing their audience along on a journey that spans continents and centuries, illuminating and expanding on the profound power and variation of the human voice. The singers educate as they entertain, sharing stories about their songs and explaining the context and characteristics of the styles in which they sing.
BBC Traveling Folk describes Windborne as “subverting expectations and redefining the genre… just absolutely phenomenal!” Audiences and critics lavish praise upon the singers not only for their technical mastery, but for the passion, engagement, and connection with each other and the audience that imbues each performance with a rare power.
But there’s another, crucial dimension to Windborne that guides and roots their artistry. They are adherents to folk music’s longtime alliance with social activism, labor and civil rights, and other movements that champion the oppressed, the poor, and the disenfranchised. Their latest project, Of Hard Times & Harmony, explores themes of social consciousness, singing in four languages and showcasing the depth of emotion their voices can evoke, as well as moments of true hilarity and wit
The group is committed to bringing vocal traditions to a younger audience and over the past year has found surprisingly viral success on TikTok for such unlikely genres as Corsican polyphony or early 20th century labor anthems.
Workshops, Residencies and more
passionate Performers
Unforgettable educators
Windborne in the classroom
Educational programming, school residencies, guest lecturing and outreach work are a core component of the group’s mission. Windborne has taught workshops in schools, arts centers, singing camps, and universities for the past decade. Experienced teachers and song-leaders, they delight groups young and old, large and small, with enthusiastic, clear, and nuanced instruction and get groups singing in harmony in no time!
Workshops with Windborne
In addition to leading workshops open to the public, Windborne regularly works with choirs, ranging from amateur music groups, to college ensembles and professional choral groups. We can offer a range of workshops ranging from community singing, to specific polyphonic traditions, vocal production, ensemble technique and more. All songs can be taught by ear, no experience required – just enthusiasm and willingness to try new things! In you are interested in discussing a workshop, community sing or masterclass, please get in touch!
Windborne in the classroom
Educational programming, school residencies, guest lecturing and outreach work are a core component of the group’s mission. Windborne has taught workshops in schools, arts centers, singing camps, and universities for the past decade. Experienced teachers and song-leaders, they delight groups young and old, large and small, with enthusiastic, clear, and nuanced instruction and get groups singing in harmony in no time!
Workshops with Windborne
In addition to leading workshops open to the public, Windborne regularly works with choirs, ranging from amateur music groups, to college ensembles and professional choral groups. We can offer a range of workshops ranging from community singing, to specific polyphonic traditions, vocal production, ensemble technique and more. All songs can be taught by ear, no experience required – just enthusiasm and willingness to try new things! In you are interested in discussing a workshop, community sing or masterclass, please get in touch!