Linda performs in period costume and inspires her audiences to absorb the music and the history  through her highly entertaining and educational  presentations.  She introduces students to period instruments such as hammered and mountain dulcimers and the limberjack.  She eagerly invites her audience members to investigate the instruments she brings with her.  Her hands-on approach and accepting ways leaves many students inspired about music and curious to learn more about American history.

 

As dominant as music is in today’s culture, students will see that “live music” was central to the daily lives of the citizens of past centuries.  From the harmonica on the wagon train, to the violin resting in Thomas Jefferson’s parlor, to the political campaign songs such as  Tippecanoe and Tyler Too, to the songs of struggle and war, the music makes the two-dimensional figures in history books become more human for all of us.

 

Among the many themes which Linda adapts for a school audience are:

 

A MUSICAL DISCOVERY OF 18TH CENTURY AMERICA

 

19TH CENTURY NEW YORK STATE IN SONG AND STORY

 

SONGS OF THE CIVIL WAR

 

THE ERIE CANAL ERA IN SONG

 

WESTWARD HO!

 

 

 

Linda’s programs are suitable for workshops, assemblies or residencies.

School

Programs

Linda Russell has experience working with all grade levels. Her expertise in creating musical portraits of specific eras or individuals in American history allows her to custom design a program to suit a particular curriculum or audience.

Text Box: Testimonial from a recent young 
audience member: 

“Every time I see a  guitar I always 
remember you. That’s how much I like you.”

Fourth Grader
Brooklyn, NY