Leah Song and Chloe Smith, the powerhouse sisters behind Rising Appalachia, are internationally acclaimed songwriters, performers, and "song catchers" rooted in the musical traditions of the American South. With their soulful vocals, seamless sibling harmonies, and a unique blend of Appalachian, Irish, Americana, and world roots influences, Leah and Chloe have crafted a sound that bridges cultures and connects deeply with audiences worldwide.

Peia Luzzi is an American born song collector, writer and multi-instrumentalist based in the mountains of Appalachia. Like water from a deep well, she draws inspiration from her ancestral roots of Irish and Old World European folk music. Peia’s voice dances nimbly from Child Ballads and 17th C. Gaelic laments, to Waulking Songs, and Bulgarian mountain calls. She has traveled & studied extensively over the past 10 years to reconnect with her own ancestral song tradition. Uncovering melodies wrinkled & wise with time, while taking care to honor their language and stories, Peia brings a piece of herself to each song she carries. Learn more about Peia’s work here: https://peiasong.com/

Aja Black, one half of the musical duo known as ‘The Reminders’, is an internationally recognized performing artist, vocalist, songwriter and storyteller. Her current projects, lectures, and research focus on the positive effects of creative expression in relation to trauma, identity, belonging, and self-determination. She passionately believes that creative writing is one of the most powerful means of self-discovery, and engaging in a creative writing practice can lead to increased feelings of value, agency, autonomy, belonging, interconnectedness, and self-esteem. Her published works include three recorded albums of music, titled ‘Recollect’, ‘Born Champions’, and ‘Unstoppable’, as well as many collaborative works with musicians across cultures and genres. Learn more about Aja Black’s work here: https://www.theremindersmusic.com/