AMY SEVERIN

Amy was born in Salem, Oregon in 1983. She has a twin sister, Heidi, who joins her as The Severin Sisters.

She has played the guitar since she was nine-years old. After having private guitar lessons for about one year Amy longed to play the banjo. She was a natural! Playing like it was an extension of her hands and arms. First, she learned the old-time frailing style (which very few people play today) then she graduated to three-finger style picking. Through the influence of players like Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs, Alison Brown, and Scott Vestal she has developed her own distinct style. In addition to her proficiency on the guitar and banjo, Amy also plays the cello. She has been a member of school and community orchestras for about ten years.

Amy is a gifted songwriter who has written and recorded numerous banjo tunes that have received considerable attention. Songwriting is a craft that she has become highly skilled at. The second and third CDs, titled “Let’s Talk” and “Carefree Times”, contain original music that she and Heidi have written. She is a member of the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Amy graduated Oregon State University, Fall term 2007, majoring in recording, editing, and music composition. She plans on having an active career as a professional in the music industry. Amy is currently teaching music at a Salem area Grade School and a Mid-High and High School. She is also provides private lessons for Banjo and Guitar. She and her Sister Heidi are preparing for a busy tour season this year.

HEIDI SEVERIN

Heidi was born in Salem, Oregon in 1983. She has a twin-sister, Amy, who joins her as The Severin Sisters.

Heidi has played the violin since she was nine years old. She studied classical violin techniques for many years and participated in numerous music festivals playing baroque, classical, and jazz pieces. She has been a member of school and community orchestras for over ten years. During these years she also refined old-time, Scottish, and Celtic fiddle playing. She is now focusing her fiddle skills on learning swing style playing.

She began playing the mandolin at age ten and was soon competing and winning contests. In 1999 Heidi won the Oregon State Mandolin Contest. Her smooth style and hard-driving chops brought her to Winfield, Kansas, in 2002 where she placed second in the prestigious National Mandolin Championship.

Heidi is a gifted and highly skilled songwriter and arranger often collaborating with Amy in creating new songs for their CDs. She is a member of the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Her songs have received considerable attention and she continues to write for upcoming CDs as well as other projects.

Heidi graduated from Oregon State University, Fall term 2007 with a BA degree in recording, editing, and music composition. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the National Dean’s List. She plans an active career as a professional in the music industry. Heidi provides private lessons for Mandolin and Fiddle. Currently she is teaching music at a Salem area Grade School and a Mid-High and High School. She and her Sister Amy are busy preparing for a busy tour season this year.