Brent Ruggles with Sean McGhee

grew up in a musical family and started performing in children’s choir, church programs, and with his family.  In Jr. High and High School Brent sang in the choir, a barbershop quartet, and was featured in the musical Oklahoma as Curly.  After high school he toured the Midwest with the musical group The Isaiah 6 Project.  During his freshman year at Indiana Wesleyan University Brent made the University Chorale, (an elite travelling choir), which had the distinct privilege of performing at the National Gaither Praise Gathering in Indianapolis.

In 1994 Brent enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard to serve his country.  When Brent was stationed in Detroit, MI he started teaching himself guitar.  In 2007 he was transferred to Arlington, VA and shortly afterward started volunteering with the World Folk Music Association.  This fueled his desire to connect with audiences through music and share with others all the ways that music has affected him.  In 2014 he played his first open mic and in May the following year he wrote his first song “The Horizon.”  He continues to support live music as vice president of the World Folk Music Association and a member of the Songwriter’s Association of Washington.

Lara Herscovitch

“Pure musical poetry” (The Courier), 's music is an original blend of modern acoustic/folk with blues, jazz, and pop influences.  With her voice “clear and smooth like expensive liquor,” she stands “above and beyond the pack” (Northeast Performer). Herscovitch is “a remarkable performer” (WSHU Public Radio), “a rising talent who is truly someone to watch for” (Acoustic Live in NYC).  Former State Troubadour of Connecticut (2009-2010), Lara brings a charm, authenticity, and love of performing that immediately resonates with diverse audiences.  She has appeared as a guest on A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor (American Public Media) and tours from Maine to Miami. “...Her voice and performance style had me captivated right away.  She truly stands out in a crowd” (Valley Folk).  “It’s rare to come across poets able to inject such an achingly human and knowing warmth into their work... It’s obvious that this musician-composer has hit her stride, that her star’s still rising” (Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange).

Annette Wasilik and Talking House