Dance, Guitar, Percussion (Non-Drum Kit), Voice, Body Rhythm
Styles - Swing, Doo Wop, Traditional Folk, Old Time, Country Blues
Techniques - Vocals: Vocal Stylings, Doo Wop Harmony, Swing Harmony; Dance: Fundamentals of Ballet, Appalachian Clogging; Guitar: Strumming Variations, Syncopation, Simple Fingerstyle; Rhythms: Washboard, Bones and Body Rhythms with Commonalities
“Folk festival in a box” Barbara Silverman is known in concerts, fests and workshops nation-wide. Dubbed a stunning vocalist by the Old Time Herald, she renders an engaging presence, bluesy vocals, moving originals, solid swing guitar, spirited piano back-up and washboard pyrotechnics. She is a proclaimed “master teacher” of music and dance.
Barb’s renowned Laketown Buskers jug band captivated radio's iconic “Prairie Home Companion” and led her to countless Midwest fests and venues, plus award-winning bands in West Virginia and Colorado. She appeared on The Studs Terkel Show and prominent Chicago clubs; she has shared stages with Emmy Lou Harris, Bill Monroe, Odetta, Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Greg Brown, David Bromberg, Buffy St. Marie and more; she has seven recordings available on Vetco, Marimac and independent labels.
Leader of The Teflons sextet featuring lush harmony and dynamite solos, Barb is half of the beloved old-time/swing duo Silver Rose. This pairing blossomed into the exciting Buds and Shoots band who mainstaged the Chicago Square Roots Fest, Wisconsin White Oak Fest, Skokie Backlot Bash and numerous region-wide concerts. Barb is a steering and cast member of Songs of Good Cheer, the famed three-decade winter concert series led by Tribune icons Eric Zorn and Mary Schmich.
A four-department faculty member at Old Town School of Folk Music, Barb joined their first international exchange to England and Finland and has taught at Indiana University Northwest, Urban Gateways, Discovery Center and prominent venues dotting the Midwest. She received repeated grants from the City of Chicago Office of Cultural Affairs as well as the Maurice and Hulda Rothschild Foundation.
Ever vibrantly teaching and performing, you can find her recordings and appearances at www.silverbeammusic.com.
Education: Indiana University - Bachelors Degree
Chicago Dance Center, Columbia College Dance Center, Chicago City Ballet Supplemental Training
Started at the Old Town School in September of 1996
