“Newgrass” group Molly in the Mineshaft seeks a balance of celebrating the musical heritage of bluegrass music and presenting it with a new twist. Their purpose is to uplift, entertain, and inspire people of all ages through high-energy, diverse music. They’ll wow the audience with their upbeat take on traditional favorites from around the world, mixed with roots-inspired original compositions. Members of the band have performed throughout North America and Europe, including the United States, Mexico, Croatia, France, Switzerland, and Spain. Their audiences range from Elementary school children to international dignitaries.
Awards and recognition include 2019 Arts Northwest Showcase Grand Award Winner; three-time national twin-fiddle champion; “Best of State” small instrumental group; “Best Original Composition”, Utah Percussive Arts Society; and a combined 7 state instrument championships in violin, banjo, and mandolin. Molly in the Mineshaft has shared the stage with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Natalie MacMaster, Bar J Wranglers, Rory Feek, The Lower Lights, Jon Schmidt, Lincoln Highway, Evan J. Marshall, Cold Creek, and the Lux Singers.
Outside of school and music, they serve their communities at youth camps, church organizations, senior living centers, hospitals, and schools.
Current band members of Molly in the Mineshaft:
Alex- Voice, Guitar, Mandolin
Alex represents the East Coast in the band, and claims North Carolina as his home. He graduated from BYU with a degree in music education. After graduation, Alex taught elementary school in a French-immersion program. The only thing softer than his beard is his heart.
Grace – Voice, Violin
Grace hails from Pleasant Grove, UT and graduated with a degree in Art History. She is a three-time national twin-fiddling champion, and has won many state and regional contests too. With a voice straight out of the 1920s, and fiddling that is out of this world, Grace is sure to simultaneously soothe your ears and boost your heart rate.
Lucy – Voice, Bass, Guitar
According to her mom, Lucy has been singing ever since she was 9 months old in her crib. Lucy loves travelling and lived overseas for 6 years. Most of her time is spent chasing her children, reading, and doing yoga.
Jordan – Banjo, Cello
Jordan graduated from BYU, and completed his Master’s Degree in occupational therapy at the University of Utah. He started playing cello in 4th grade, and picked up the banjo a few years later. Hobbies and interests include biking, camping, volleyball, relaxing in his hammock, and using the Oxford comma.
Scott – Percussion, Piano
Scott is a native of Utah. He studied music performance at BYU, and currently works for a software company. With Molly in the Mineshaft, Scott typically plays the cajón, a Peruvian instrument sometimes called a “drumset-in-a-box.”
Talmage – Guitar
Talmage started teaching himself guitar in 6th grade, and would regularly wake up early and hurry home from school to practice more. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from BYU and works as a strategic planning analyst.
Doug – Accordion, Trumpet
Doug is a mild-mannered man who turns into a face-melting accordion and trumpet player once onstage. He works in cybersecurity, and enjoys smelling garlic bread in his spare time.
Molly- A Cow?
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Molly in the Mineshaft 