Miriam Davidson

Miriam Davidson

Philadelphia, PA 19144

(cell) 859.608.5393

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it /www.wishingchair.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Music Director for the Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, SC: 2008 to present. Responsibilities include selecting music, directing the adult and children’s choir, running rehearsals, selecting/arranging/writing music and hymns, programming and coordinating special music and guest musicians, working w/ the Minister and Director of Religious Education to create special services for Christmas, Solstice and Beltane, coordinating the musical life of the congregation, serving as accompanist for Sunday Services when needed.

Partner in folk-roots duo Wishing Chair: 1995 to present

Wishing Chair is a nationally acclaimed and award-winning, singer-songwriter folk/roots duo. Roles performed include lead and backup singer, instrumentalist (piano, accordion, guitar, banjo, octave mandolin and hand percussion), arranger and songwriter, as well as handling business matters including booking, publicity and road manager duties.

Grant Reviewer: for the Kentucky Foundation for Women, serving on the Performing Panel to review Artist Enrichment Grants: 2010

Substitute accompanist for Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg: 2007-2008

Accompanist for Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg Children’s choir: 2007-2008

Substitute accompanist for St. John’s Unitarian Universalist, Cincinnati, OH: 2007

Nightlife Director, Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (SUUSI): 2006 to present

Responsibilities include coordinating and facilitating all performance venues, concerts and open mics, overseeing adult and youth dance venues, programming and planning evening family events and entertainment, consulting w/ worship service musicians, overseeing sound technicians and gear interfacing

Private music studio: 1990 to present

Private lessons in piano, guitar, voice, performance skills and audition preparation.

Music Director for Lying to the Sea Gypsy: 2010

Duties include: rehearsal pianist, bandleader, and accompanist.

Music Specialist at Sayre School Extended Day Program, Lexington, KY: 1992-2007

Private lessons and holiday programming.

Artist in the Schools: Central and eastern Kentucky and Tennessee: 1995-2005

Taught songwriting and basic recording skills to children grades 6-12.

Associate Director and Songwriting Department Head, National Guitar Workshop,

New Milford, CT: 1983-1995

Duties included managing curriculum and programming for a 400 student per week summer music program for adults and teens as well as a director of satellite campuses.

Project editor, designer and music engraver: 1985-1993 for the National Guitar Workshop's series of instructional books, published by Alfred Music Publishing.

Professional synagogue choir singer: Congregation Adath Jeshurun, Elkins Park, PA:

1978-1983

Choral Singer: MUSE, Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir, Cincinnati, OH: 1992-1994

Anna Crusis: Philadephia Women’s Choir, Philadelphia, PA: 1981-1982

Arbel Chorale, Philadelphia, PA: 1978-1980

Music Counselor: Camp Alonim, Brandeis Camp Institute, Simi Valley, CA:

1978-1980

Author: Teach Yourself to Play Accordion, Alfred Music Publishing

Beginning Songwriting (with Kiya Heartwood), Alfred Music Publishing

Education

Petrie School of Music, Converse College: 2007-2009. Coursework in Music Program

BFA Temple University: 1978

Affiliations

Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network

North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance

Northeast Regional Folk Alliance

Local 1000 Traveling Musicians Union