Banjo - Guitar - Ukulele- Vocals - Limberjack
Maggie Shar received her B.A. from Hampshire College, where she studied music and education, and received her M.S. from Antioch University New England in Environmental Education. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Maggie has a particular interest in Southern Appalachian old-time music, and brings this influence into her music. Maggie has been studying clawhammer banjo (her primary instrument) since 2004, learning from Diane Sanabria, Riley Baugus, Adam Hurt, and others.
Maggie was a finalist in the Appalachian Stringband Festival Banjo Competition (2023), and The Fresh Grass Awards (2023). She has won 1st place in the Northeast Fiddler's Convention Banjo Contest (2018), 1st place at Oldtone Roots Festival Banjo Contest (2018)., and 3rd place in The Online Oldtime Banjo contest (2022).
She performs regularly with The Ephemeral Stringband. and The Moon Shells . She is also co-founder of Little Roots, an early childhood music experience and band for families, preschools, family centers, and libraries based in western Massachusetts and online.
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Maggie teaches private lessons online and in person, and offers group classes to all ages as well.
"Ephemeral banjo player Maggie Shar can more than hold her own with Tatiana (Hargreaves) and their interplay, the core of any old-time stringband, is a delight."
-Devon Leger, Kithfolk Magazine