Bluegrass

I grew up in seclusion on the Potomac River in rural Maryland. Bluegrass was for grandparents. My grandparents, specifically, threw porch parties for neighbors in a couple-mile radius to come and enjoy homemade pizza and local bluegrass music on warm summer nights. Me and the other grandkids were more interested in catching frogs. It wasn't until I was away for college in Manhattan that I began my love affair with bluegrass. One of my friends who I had attended summer camp with years ago informed me there was a bluegrass ensemble on campus and took me to my first Columbia Bluegrass Ensemble meeting. The idea was hilarious and delightful to me, to expand my small town horizons by going to NYC and join a bluegrass band. The professor allowed me to join and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my undergraduate education to be able to connect with new peers and my roots by singing songs I grew up listening to. Plus, not everyone can say they were the lead singer for the best bluegrass band in NYC.