Music

Friday, July 10 — Main Stage

• 8 to 9:30 pm — Washington Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, July 11 — Main Stage

2026 Daytime Performances:

MVAA Fife & Drum Band unit will not only be in the history march at noon, but they will take the main stage at 12:30 pm on Saturday, July 11th to kick off our music lineup! Mon Valley Academy for the Arts, Inc.

Dan Baker performs unique instrumental guitar arrangements of songs ranging from John Coltrane to John Mayer. He earned a BFA in Music Performance from The New School and attended Graduate Studies at New York University. Dan is currently based out of his hometown of Washington PA which is just south of Pittsburgh. He performs as a solo guitarist and with his trio regularly at breweries, distilleries, clubs, restaurants, festivals, weddings, cooperate and private events. In addition to a busy performance schedule Dan also teaches private and group guitar lessons. Dan has also been an adjunct guitar instructor and given masterclasses at the College and University level.

Appalachian Soul is a West Virginia group known for blending soul, folk, gospel, and R&B with stories of Black life in the mountains, creating a unique sound reminiscent of juke joints with horns and light rhythms.

Michael McKenzie is a Pennsylvania‑born country singer‑songwriter whose music is built on honesty, heart, and timeless storytelling. Drawing inspiration from legends like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Jerry Reed, Michael carries forward the tradition of country music that tells the truth — songs about love, struggle, laughter, and redemption. With a voice shaped by Southern roots and Northeastern grit, Michael delivers performances that feel lived‑in, sincere, and unmistakably authentic. His songwriting blends emotional depth with barroom energy, creating a sound that resonates with fans of classic country while feeling fresh and personal. Michael has built a growing regional presence through heartfelt originals, crowd‑pleasing covers, and a stage style rooted in connection, humility, and grit.

Snappin' Bug Pittsburgher/old time music icons Mark Tamsula, Richard Withers, and Dave Krysty are giving new life to a regional music tradition. Their newest and sixth album Neighbors In The Cloud Land presents traditional Appalachian music historically rooted in Southwestern Pennsylvania. They perform tunes collected by the renowned music historian and Penn State professor, Samuel P. Bayard. Bayard visited fiddlers and fifers in this region between 1928 and 1963, and published over 1000 of their tunes in two books, Hill Country Tunes, and Dance to the Fiddle, March to the Fife. Many of the tunes are performed on fiddle and banjo, the traditional “old time” instrumentation, as well as the fife in keeping with the rich heritage of fife music Bayard drew on as well. They are joined by veteran guitarist Dave Krysty, also a pioneer in the revival of traditional music with Pennsylvania roots. Barbara Rosner plays bass with the group for festivals, dances, workshops and numerous celebratory occasions. Samuel Bayard and his source musicians are gone, but Tamsula, Withers, Krysty and Rosner are bringing their music back to life on fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass.

2026 Evening Performances:

Rooster Blackspur Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Rooster Blackspur is an award-winning singer-songwriter shaped by the wild solitude of the Alaskan wilderness. Described as "equal parts Johnny Cash grit and outsider revival preacher", her mix of storytelling, soul and sincerity set her apart. Her music blends folk-roots with soulful Americana. Onstage, Rooster delivers a spellbinding, emotionally charged performance. Her presence invites audiences into the raw, imperfect journey of being human.

Headliner - band is booked and their name will be shared before the Festival