Shenandoah Run
Bob Melissinos – Guitar and Vocals
As a folk musician in New York in the 1960s, Bob has shared stages with the likes of Cass Elliot (The Mamas and the Papas), The Highwaymen, and Robert Guillaume. As a member of The Coachmen and other groups, he performed at the 1964 World’s Fair, The Bitter End, other Greenwich Village clubs, and numerous colleges and universities. His vision is for folk music to once again have a major presence in the American music scene. He founded Shenandoah Run in pursuit of that vision.
John Werntz – Bass
John was born with a bass in his hands and has mastered the art of folk bass playing. When he’s not busy with Shenandoah Run you will find him playing bass and singing with other folk, Irish, Americana, and bluegrass musicians in the DC area.
Joe Dickey – Banjo
Joe started playing banjo in college when his roommate said, “Don’t touch my banjo while I’m gone.” The holder of a physics PhD, he’s given talks on banjo acoustics to academic audiences. He performed for almost 20 years with Crabgrass, an Annapolis-based bluegrass group. He is also a woodturner and keeper of an American Chestnut restoration orchard.
Renee Moyer, Vocals and Percussion
Renée grew up in Northern Virginia, graduating from McLean High School and George Mason University, where she earned her BA in Theatre Arts. For more than thirty years, she performed with area theatre groups, such as Trinity Players, Springfield Community Theatre, and The Arlington Players, and starred in such roles as Guinevere in Camelot and Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore. For two years, she performed with Roger Henderson, guitar virtuoso and talented songwriter. After a brief hiatus from performing, Renee is delighted to be back on stage
Jill Nelson – Vocals, Guitar and Percussion
Jill grew up singing with her family, the von Brudvig Family Singers! Well, that’s not a real group name, though we could all eight carry a tune, and we did sing as we traveled around Europe in the 60s and 70s in our VW Bus (think Army brat). Jill added guitar and piano to her repertoire, thanks to her talented older sisters and music lessons. She has sung in school choirs, church choirs, her elementary school classroom, and most recently in a church band called Gentle PersUUasion, which made the UU circuit around the Northern Virginia area over the last several years.
Leslie Smile Hoyle – Fiddle and Vocals
Leslie began her musical studies in Cincinnati, Ohio, participating in over a dozen youth orchestras, small ensembles, and other freelance groups and continued her musical pursuits at The Ohio State University and at The University of Maryland. Leslie has since taught for the University of Maryland, Animato, and Music Kids Suzuki Violin Programs, and she currently heads the Academy of Fine Arts Suzuki Violin Program. Since 2005 Leslie has also explored the world of folk music, performing with the groups Kensington Station and Kensington Depot. When not otherwise “fiddling around” Leslie enjoys volunteering as a trail guide at Secret Passage Ranch and Misty Manor Riding Stables.
Ben Hamblin – Guitar and Vocals
Ben loved to sing from an early age, and began playing guitar and accompanying himself when
he was a young teenager. He’s played solo, in a duo, and in a rock band. After moving to
Northern Virginia he discovered The Reston/Herndon Folk Club and is currently its president.
He enjoys trying to play a variety of musical genres.
Jim Johnson – Guitar, Mandolin, and Vocals
Jim was born and raised in Northern Virginia, growing up in a house filled with music. He began playing guitar in his early teenage years, and eventually added banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and several other instruments to his musical addiction. Later, after retiring, he became intrigued with songwriting and joined the Songwriters Association of Washington, serving five years on its board of directors. He released a solo CD containing all original songs, and 3 CDs with Harley String Band. He is scheduled to release his second solo CD in early 2023. See www.jimjohnsonmusic.com for more.
