Find a Union Musician

Zacharie Bachand is a pedal steel player and guitarist based out of Montréal, Québec. His musical voice lives near the intersection of experimental and folk music, and is rooted in his professional training as a jazz musician and improviser. He has had the pleasure of accompanying artists at some of the most illustrious venues and folk festivals across Canada, forging connections within the folk music industry and deepening his knowledge of folk music traditions. While his unique voice and professional attitude are sought after by many artists, it is with these that he seeks to infuse his own artistic projects. His own work seeks to creatively engage with the worlds of folk and experimental music, using compositional and improvisational practices to inform his artistic output. He is currently focused on writing music for small ensembles centered around the pedal steel.

PETER ALSOP is a nationally known singer/songwriter, lecturer and humorist from California. He has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and he is a Certified Experiential Therapist. His songs are used by thousands of parents, doctors, educators and other human service professionals to help families discuss sensitive issues such as sexual abuse, disabilities, loss and grief, codependency, self-worth, chemical dependency and family violence. Peter has worked as the Director of the Harbor Schools Residential Treatment Center for emotionally disturbed adolescents in Maine, and taught elementary school in the South Bronx ghetto. He’s lectured and performed at more than 400 colleges and universities and been on the faculty of many prestigious national conferences with such notable professionals as Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Benjamin Spock and Buckminster Fuller. He’s traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada, Southeast Asia, Australia, Central America, and Europe presenting and performing at conferences, festivals, rallies, and concerts. As a writer, producer and actor, he’s done a feature film, musical comedy, directed and edited music videos, and has completed twenty albums, four songbooks and six dvds. His children's albums consistently win "Best Children's Album" of the year awards from Parent's Choice or the National Association of Independent Record Distributors. His songs are included on anthologies, in filmstrips, dvd's, movies and television programs. Peter now lives with his wife, actress/director Ellen Geer in Topanga, California. For more information, check out his website at www.peteralsop.com

Folksinger/Storyteller/Songleader

Traditional - Singer of songs with a strong historic base.  Composed long ago, by those whose names may be long since forgotten, but whose ideas are still relevant today. 

As a member of the women's trio Belles of Hoboken in the early 80s (with Janet Stecher and Marcie Boyd), Susan performed throughout the New York City area and recorded numerous songs for the "Fast Folk" musician's cooperative monthly musical "magazine." When she moved to Seattle, Susan was a founding member of the quartet Shays' Rebellion, along with fellow Local 1000 member John O’Connor (as well as Tim Hall and Janet Stecher). Their 'songs of social movements past and present' were shared with audiences across the United States and Canada.  Their album "Daniel Shays' Highway" was released on Flying Fish Records (FF427) in 1987. 

Roots based singer songwriter/folk musician.

Ken Giles teaches violin/viola at D.C. Youth Orchestra Program and in private lessons.  He also sings with the D.C. Labor Chorus.  Longtime peace and civil rights activist, Ken was a member of the topical song group "Bright Morning Star" and played for peace demonstrations, environmental activists, and human rights groups.  Ken teaches his students all kinds of music, including classical, folk, blues, labor songs, and civil rights songs.

“A quartet the likes of which I haven’t seen since... Coope, Boyes and Simpson, the Watersons, or The Voice Squad. Just absolutely phenomenal!” -BBC Traveling Folk

Mountain Dulcimer Aficionado and Folk Music Educator

Liv Cazzola is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, educator, and avid collaborator. Though based in Guelph Ontario, Liv is typically seen performing in Tragedy Ann or The Lifers, in North America and Europe. She sings to seek understanding, question the current, relish in the goodness, and create necessary change. 

Singer, songwriter performing primarily for children and families. Perform and teach as artist in residence at schools, libraries, community centers and at private parties. Song leading at rallies and other political events, often with Occupella, a crew of singer/songleaders/songwiriters.  Occasionally perform for adults, leftist events, usually unpaid. Play with women's samba group, Sistah Boom.  I'm 73 years old and semi-retired from paid work at this point.