WORTHAM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
A SWANNANOA SOLSTICE Sun, Dec 21, 2025 • 2 pm & 7 pm
Sponsored by Craig Allen & Julie Cowden Bill & Marilyn Jim King & Hubbard Jayne Cleveland
Media Sponsors
Kirk & Lucy Borland
Leslie Connolly
John & Marsha Ellis
Hedy Fischer & Randy Shull
Henry LaBrun
Amy Loether
Janna & Rick Lutovsky
Tina Jerry McAninch McGuire
The Stewart/ Meredith Trust
Dianne & David Worley
Diana Wortham
Richard & Francee Healy Juliet Rains
Nancy Houha
Shelia Rains & Marjorie Sullivan
WORTHAM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2025/26 SEASON
A SWANNANOA SOLSTICE Sunday, December 21, 2025 2 pm & 7 pm
Welcome to A Swannanoa Solstice. On winter’s darkest day, we’re honored to celebrate the return of light in Western North Carolina through this festive annual tradition of music, dance, storytelling, and seasonal spirit. Your presence helps create a space where artistry, heritage, and shared experience connect us all. Since 2003, A Swannanoa Solstice has brought together artists from across our region to showcase the rich cultural tapestry of Western North Carolina—first highlighting the area’s Appalachian and Celtic roots and later expanding to reflect our diverse and growing community. The event quickly grew in popularity, prompting the addition of a matinee performance in 2007. Doug Orr, president emeritus of Warren Wilson College, served as the original emcee and artistic director for nearly 20 years, joined by several founding cast members including Grammy-winning guitarist Al Petteway (who passed away in 2023), his musical partner and wife Amy White, and multi-instrumentalist Robin Bullock. Over the years, guest artists have included David Holt, Sheila Kay Adams, Phil Jamison, Jane Kramer, MAR, Ellie Grace, April Verch, Joe Newberry, Mick McAuley, Cape Breton stepdancers the Twisty Cuffs, and the Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance. In 2025, we welcome an extraordinary lineup of artists who embody the spirit of the season and the traditions of our region. Together, they bring a vibrant blend of Appalachian, Celtic, and folk influences to the stage—creating a celebration of light, music, and community that is uniquely Western North Carolina. This season’s performance is dedicated to longtime Wortham Center friend and devoted Swannanoa Solstice fan, Bill Hubbard. Bill attended every Solstice since 2003, often greeting guests in a festive Dickensian costume and, in the early days, offering homemade cookies. His wife, Marilyn, served on the decorating committee and joined him in seasonal attire. Bill passed away recently, but his warmth, joy, and love for this tradition will continue to shine each December through this special celebration.
WORTHAM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2025/26 SEASON
PERFORMER BIOS JOHN DOYLE John Doyle is widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in Irish traditional music. A founding member of the groundbreaking group Solas, his innovative rhythmic style helped redefine the role of guitar in Celtic music. Since then, John has become a sought-after performer, composer, and producer, collaborating with legends such as Joan Baez, Eileen Ivers, Tim O’Brien, and Linda Thompson. His artistry spans solo recordings, acclaimed duo projects, and appearances on major stages worldwide. Doyle’s album Wayward Son was hailed as “a contender for Album of the Year” by The Irish Edition, and his work has earned Grammy nominations and multiple NAIRD awards. He has performed on programs including A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, and NBC’s Today Show, and contributed music to feature films and PBS productions. Originally from Dublin, John grew up in a musical family and began touring at sixteen. Today, his playing is celebrated for its driving rhythm, subtlety, and creativity—qualities that have made him one of the most respected voices in folk and traditional music. johndoylemusic.com CATHIE RYAN For more than three decades, Cathie Ryan has been a leading voice in Irish music. Known for her luminous vocals and heartfelt interpretations, she blends traditional Irish and American songs with original compositions that feel timeless. Her artistry has earned her international acclaim and a devoted following. Cathie’s performances are celebrated for their intimacy, power, and the warmth of her storytelling—a hallmark of Irish tradition. She has toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe, appearing at major festivals, performing arts centers, folk clubs, and with symphony orchestras. Her recordings have garnered critical praise, and she has been featured on national and public television and radio worldwide. Honors include being twice named one of Irish America Magazine’s “Top 100 Irish Americans” and receiving LiveIreland.com’s award for “Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade.” Beyond the stage, Cathie shares her passion for Irish culture by leading music and folklore tours in Ireland, offering fans a deeper connection to the traditions that inspire her work. cathieryan.com
WORTHAM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2025/26 SEASON
MAURA SHAWN SCANLIN Maura Shawn Scanlin is an award-winning violinist and fiddler whose artistry bridges classical and traditional music. A two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddling Champion and Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion, Maura brings technical brilliance and expressive depth to every performance. Born in Boone, NC and now based in Asheville, she earned her Master’s degree in Violin Performance from the Yale School of Music and her Bachelor’s from the New England Conservatory. Her classical collaborations have taken her to prestigious competitions and residencies, including the Osaka International Quartet Competition and the Banff Chamber Music Residency. She is a founding member of the Rasa String Quartet and tours widely with her Celtic duo, Rakish, alongside guitarist Conor Hearn. Maura has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Izumi Hall, and major festivals such as MerleFest, Boston Celtic Music Festival, and Folk Alliance International. She has shared the stage with leading artists including Seamus Egan, Maeve Gilchrist, and Hanneke Cassel, and was featured on PBS’s Great Performances: Now Hear This. Through her performances and teaching, Maura champions both tradition and innovation in acoustic music. maurashawnscanlin.com JOSH GOFORTH Josh Goforth must have been born musical—he was already playing piano in church at the age of four—but it was an experience he had in the sixth grade that really lit the fuse of his precocious musical career. A performance at Goforth’s middle school by Sheila Kay Adams caused him to start thinking about the musical heritage and stories of his native Madison County, NC. Josh was able to listen to and learn from local masters like Gordon and Arvil Freeman and Jerry Adams. Goforth is a highly accomplished storyteller and acoustic musician, playing close to 20 different instruments. After high school he went to East Tennessee State University to study music education with a Euphonium concentration, and to be a part of ETSU’s famous Bluegrass and Country Music Program. In 2000, he played fiddle for the movie, Songcatcher, both onscreen and on the soundtrack. He has toured extensively with a variety of ensembles, including the ETSU Bluegrass Band, David Holt, Laura Boosinger, and with several bluegrass bands like Appalachian Trail, the Josh Goforth Trio, the Steep Canyon Rangers, and Open Road. He has performed in all 50 U.S. states, all over Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2000, 2003, and 2005, he was named “Fiddler of the Festival” at Fiddler’s Grove and, after winning the third title, was designated “Master Fiddler” and retired from that competition. He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. In 2009, he was nominated for a Grammy for his album with David Holt entitled Cutting Loose. He is currently on faculty at the Academy for the Arts in Asheville and performs all over the world. joshgoforth.com
WORTHAM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2025/26 SEASON
EJ JONES AND THE PIPERS JONES BAND EJ Jones is a classically trained piper on the Great Highland Bagpipes and has spent his life studying the pipe music of Scotland. He is ranked “Professional” by the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA) and is a member of the Grandfather Mountain Highlanders Pipe Band based in Asheville. Jones is also the Music Director at the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in Linville, NC each July. Frances Cunningham is an Irish Bouzouki and Tenor Banjo player based in Nashville, TN. She has won the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil on both the bouzouki and banjo and spent five years playing weekly on the Grand Ole Opry in the Mike Snider String Band. In addition to touring with EJ she teaches workshops on accompaniment in her unique chord style. The Piper Jones Band celebrates Celtic dance music with piper EJ Jones, bouzouki player Frances Cunningham, and a roster of percussionists. The band’s discography is played regularly on WNCW’s Celtic Winds each Sunday and has been played on NPR’s Thistle and Shamrock as well as the BBC’s Pipeline programs. piperjonesband.com ELIZABETH McCORVEY Making her A Swannanoa Solstice debut, Elizabeth McCorvey is a dynamic multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. A recent finalist in both the NC Folk Festival and Earl Scruggs banjo competitions, she blends original roots music with vibrant energy and heart. Elizabeth is a part-time psychotherapist, full-time musician, and fulltime delight. A Kentucky native, she plays the banjo and the cello, but she is primarily a fiddle player and performs with a variety of bands across the region. As a solo artist and with her “bluesgrass” band (Elizabeth and Her Band), she writes original music about people and places that didn’t ask for her feedback. She has played in bands that have opened for Ben Folds and BJ Barham of American Aquarium, and she recently appeared on Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour, an internationally broadcast event for radio and television, as well as at the Woody Guthrie Center’s Common Chords series. Elizabeth released her debut album Songs I Sent You in 2025, and it’s available wherever you stream music. elizabethmccorveymusic.com
WORTHAM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2025/26 SEASON
BECKY STONE Becky Stone and her husband moved to Fairview, NC over 40 years ago to start their family. A librarian at Pack Library heard Becky reading to her children and asked if she would volunteer at story hour. She said “yes” — and a storyteller was born! Becky has been telling stories for over 30 years. She loves having young adults recognize her as the storyteller they heard as a kid. Becky has acted, danced, and sung her way through productions with Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater, Asheville Community Theatre and many others. She primarily performs in Chautauqua festivals, for which she has researched and portrayed Pauli Murray, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Maya Angelou, Josephine Baker, and “Stagecoach Mary” Fields. Becky loves telling stories, but she treasures every opportunity to explore the performing arts. She learns something every time she steps in front of an audience— about the audience, about art, and about herself. ZOE & CLOYD Zoe & Cloyd—the creative partnership of fiddler/vocalist Natalya Zoe Weinstein and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist John Cloyd Miller—prove that opposites truly do attract. Hailing from two distinct musical worlds, they merge their unique backgrounds into a powerful collaboration that has garnered both critical acclaim and widespread appeal. Natalya, a classically trained musician from Massachusetts with deep roots in klezmer and jazz, joins forces with John, a 12th-generation North Carolinian and grandson of pioneering bluegrass fiddler Jim Shumate. Together, they create music that honors their respective traditions while forging a distinctive sound of their own. This awardwinning duo’s work has been described by Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine as “a musical collaboration that demands to be heard.” John is a grand prize winner of the Chris Austin and Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contests, while Natalya has earned numerous fiddle contest wins across the country. Based in Asheville, NC, they teach in the traditional music program at Warren Wilson College, sharing their knowledge and passion with the next generation of musicians. Zoe & Cloyd have performed nationwide and internationally at festivals including MerleFest, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Earl Scruggs Music Fest, FreshGrass Festival, and the NC Folk Festival. Their fifth studio album, Songs of Our Grandfathers (2023), is an homage to their bluegrass and klezmer roots. Since 2022, they have been honored to serve as the artistic directors for A Swannanoa Solstice. zoeandcloyd.com
WORTHAM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2025/26 SEASON
SPECIAL GUESTS A.C. REYNOLDS HIGH SCHOOL CHORALE The A.C. Reynolds High School choral program is under the direction of Phillip Haynie, who has been the choral director at ACRHS since 2012. The chorale is a year-round honors class whose members are chosen by audition only. The class focuses on music literacy and music literature at the proficient and advanced levels as identified by the state. This group performs publicly throughout the year, and auditions and participates in All County Chorus, Honors Chorus, and various choral festivals, as well as Large Ensemble Music Performance Adjudication on the state level each spring. acrhs. buncombeschools.org/o/acrhs/page/chorus A.C. REYNOLDS HIGH SCHOOL CHORALE 2025-2026 Soprano 1 Victoria Byt-Gysaim Nevaeh Collington-Douglas Holly Denny Ayla Short Mackenzie Wise, section leader/SD
Soprano 2 Zoe Lee Ruby Leis Maddy Oldenburg Josephine Reeves, librarian Finley Romanello
Alto 1 Kimberly Badillo Sikoya Barnard Isla Johnson Giselle Martinez-Hernandez Addie Morris Dagny Rockoff, librarian
Alto 2 Nicky Bamberger, librarian Natalia Birchfield Maija Skibo Indigo Snelling Avery Ward, section leader
Tenor 1 Alijah Banks Davis Carter Ryan Perry Tenor 2 Michael Dorsey Xavier Aiken Mason Calvert Alex Melone Will Wolfe, section leader
Bass 1 Donovan Brown Ariel Graham Joey Houser Bass 2 Tyjay Corpening Willow Edwards, section leader Shavone Stewart
Anigiduwagi Land Acknowledgement The Wortham Center acknowledges that we are on the ancestral land of the Anigiduwagi, more commonly known as the Cherokee (ᏣᎳᎩᎠᏰᎵ).
EXPERIENCE MORE MUSIC AT WORTHAM THE SLOCAN RAMBLERS
Jan 16 Contemporary bluegrass at its very best
LP & THE VINYL From Blues to Beatles to Bowie A BENEFIT FOR ARTS FOR ALL KIDS
Feb 6 Every note opens arts’ doors
SOLAS
Feb 14 Thirty years of fiery Celtic music
JANE LYNCH AND KATE FLANNERY THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS Mar 3 Cabaret, comedy, and devilish charm
NICOLE ZURAITIS
Mar 4 Trailblazing voice redefining vocal jazz
JOHN McCUTCHEON
Mar 21 Folk music’s true Renaissance man
BREABACH
Apr 11 Scottish folk fused with heritage
REGINALD GOLDEN SINGERS
Apr 17 Honoring struggle, celebrating resilience
KARLA BONOFF
Apr 24 Beloved songwriter, unforgettable performer
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