Velma
Frye is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with a strong
background in classical and popular styles. She has
performed nine times on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home
Companion" and in 2006 went on a 6-college tour with
Garrison as his pianist and vocal duet partner.
Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Arlington, Virginia,
Velma attended the Florida State University College of
Music in Tallahassee, where she earned her Bachelor's and
Master's degrees in music. After college, she learned
popular music styles, and performed full-time in North
Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, Ohio, and
Florida. She represented Tallahassee's Sister City Program
by performing in Krasnodar, Russia, followed by two
concerts in Germany.
While continuing to perform professionally and teach piano,
Velma leads weekly Singing Circles for women and for mixed
chorus. She leads MusicSpirit groups and seasonal
ceremonies, where people come together to sing songs with
positive, universal messages about life, love, and nature.
These community-building skills are now featured in
workshops and conferences.
SOLO RECORDINGS
1988 I Am To Someone
1996 Bewitched, Music Spirit
2000 Many Voiced Angel
2007 Seven Sacred Pauses ~ Singing Mindfully Dawn Through
Dark*
SONGBOOK
2007 Seven Sacred Pauses Songbook ~ Singing Mindfully Dawn
Through Dark*
*Note: The lyrics used for these songs are poetic and
inclusive, so the songs are relevant to all spiritual
paths. Many were written by Macrina Wiederkehr, a
Benedictine nun, in her companion book, "Seven Sacred
Pauses, Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day."
(www.sorinbooks.com).
ARTICLE PUBLISHED
2008 (January) Clavier Magazine - “Extending Erik Satie’s
Gymnopedie No. 1 With Improvisation”