Lissa Schneckenburger (born May 11, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, and traditional New England fiddler.[1][2][3][4] She was raised in Maine and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Improvisation from New England Conservatory of Music in 2001.[5] Schneckenburger currently resides in Vermont and has taught and performed across the United States and worldwide. She "performs traditional and contemporary folk repertoire from Downeast New England to Scottish, French Canadian, and contemporary folk music."[6]
Early life
Schneckenburger began playing fiddle at age 6 with the help of Carol Thomas Downing. She found her first fiddle mentor Greg Boardman at age 8 who she studied with until college.[7] During her high school years Lissa not only collaborated on playing gigs with David Kaynor but also participated in fiddle workshops and camps with Alastair Fraser. Both David and Alastair played roles as mentors, influencing Schneckenburger’s musical journey and playing an integral role in shaping her musical career.[8][9]
Musical career
Lissa's playing earned her a scholarship to attend New England Conservatory of Music, where she performed on PBS with the NEC Klezmer Ensemble in A Taste of Chanukah[10] and A taste of Passover,[11] with host Theodore Bikel. She was also featured on the TV Special with Childsplay called "Childsplay: the story of Fiddles, Fiddlers, and a Fiddlemaker.[12]
Lissa has played all over the world as a fiddler and vocalist, including appearances in Russia, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Canada, and the United States.[13] She has toured in bands: Lissa Schneckenburger (since 2001), Low Lily (since 2014), Childsplay (since 2006), Phantom Power (2001- 2009), and Halali (2000-2011).[14] She has additionally performed with bands: Gaelic Storm,[15]Solas,[16]Le Vent Du Nord, Genticorum,[17]The Fretless,[18]Cherish The Ladies,[19] and appeared on the Christmas Celtic Sojourn.[20]
Lissa released her debut album Mad Hatter at age 18 in 1997, marking the beginning of a life-long career in music. She followed this with albums Different Game, Halali, and Phantom Power, all showcasing a blend of traditional tunes and original compositions.
In 2008, Lissa released her album "Song," followed by "Dance" in 2010, both of which fill a notable gap in the recorded repertoire of New England ballads and dance tunes.
"Thunder in my Arms," released in 2019, marks a departure as Lissa's first album as it features exclusively original compositions. Inspired by her experiences as a foster and adoptive parent, the album delves into themes of attachment, parenting, and resilience, resonating with listeners from different viewpoints on a deeply emotional level.[21]
Lissa released her latest full-length album, "Falling Forward" in 2023, a collection of original fiddle tunes and traditional songs written at home during the early days of the pandemic.[22]
Lissa has been interviewed and included in several publications including Beyond Talent: So You Want to Create a Career in Music,[23] So You Want To Sing Folk Music by Valerie Mindel,[24] and has been mentioned in North American Fiddle Music: A Research and Information Guide.[25]
Discography
Albums
Title
Release date
Label
Featured artists
The Mad Hatter
1997
Outer Green Records
Different Game
2001
Footprint Records
Lissa Schneckenburger (fiddle & vocals) Hanneke Cassel (fiddle), Flynn Cohen (guitar), Laura Cortese (vocals), Rushad Eggleston (cello), Brian Hanlon (bodhran), Stuart Kenney (upright bass), Michael Kerry (guitar), Eric Merrill (viola), Keith Murphy (guitar & vocals), Laura Risk (fiddle) & Mark Simos (guitar)
Low Lily’s eponymous album includes six tracks with Liz Simmons on vocals and guitar, Flynn Cohen on vocals, guitar and mandolin, and Lissa Schneckenburger on vocals and fiddle
The Lumberman In Town/ Go Ken Go, recorded on the full length album Song, featuring Lissa Schneckenburger, Bethany Waickman, Owen Marshal, Keith Murphy, Corey DiMario, Stefan Amidon, Sharon Shannon, and Eric McDonald
Look Away, written and recorded by Lissa Schneckenburger, from the full length album Thunder in My Arms, released on May 17th, 2019. The album was written for foster and adoptive families on the topics of attachment, developmental trauma, and resiliency.
"They Sent Me a Picture" written by Lissa Schneckenburger and Mark Erelli, from the full length album Thunder in My Arms. The album was written for foster and adoptive families on the topics of attachment, developmental trauma, and resiliency. Moving "crankie" artwork by Brendan Taaffe.
Music by Lissa Schneckenburger, Lyrics by GennaRose Nethercott, Choreography by Molly Gawler, Video by Dylan Ladds Filmed at the Union Farmers Market in Belfast Maine Recorded on the full length album, Thunder in My Arms. Lissa Schneckenburger (lead vocals) Stefan Amidon (drums) Corey DiMario (double bass) Curtis Hasselbring (trombone) Cole Kamen-Green (trumpet) Alec Spiegelman (clarinet), Jed Wilson (piano) Produced and arranged by Schneckenburger/ Spiegelman.
“Labor On” by Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals), Corey DiMario (double bass), Neil Pearlman (piano), Stefan Amidon (drums), Zara Bode (harmony vocals). Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Al Stockwell, Brattleboro VT.
Special thanks to Write for Climate: Abby Mnookin, Becky Karush, Rebecca Jones, Marisa Keller, and Robin MacArthur. Photo credits: Train blockade protests, NoCoalNoGas.org Merrimack Generating Station protests, NoCoalNoGas.org Climate Solutions march, Lissa Schneckenburger and Zac Rudge Standing Rock, Abby Mnookin Workers with solar panel, cleantechsandiego.org. All other images, creativecommons.org.
Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals) Jefferson Hamer (acoustic guitar). Music by Lissa Schneckenburger and lyrics by GennaRose Nethercott. Arrangement by Schneckenburger/ Spiegelman Produced by Lissa Schneckenburger and Alec Spiegelman. Recorded by Alec Spiegelman at The Chamber of Commerce (Brooklyn, NY). Mixed by Robin MacMillan at Faraway Sound (Brooklyn, NY). Mastered by Toby Mountain at Northeastern Digital (Southborough, MA). Video by Corinn Colford. Graphic design by Lissa Schneckenburger.
Lyrics by Lissa Schneckenburger Music by Taylor Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback Performed by Low Lily (Lissa Schneckenburger- vocals, Liz Simmons- vocals, Flynn Cohen- vocals, mandolin, electric bass, acoustic and electric guitars, Stefan Amidon- drums) Recorded, mixed and mastered by Gabe Bradshaw, Hawkmoon Audio
Liz Simmons– vocals, acoustic guitar Flynn Cohen– vocals, acoustic guitar Lissa Schneckenburger– vocals, fiddle With: Dirk Powell– upright bass, electric guitar, percussion Bill Smith– drums Produced by Dirk Powell Original words and music by Shawn Colvin & Lawrence Klein.
"Sorry For The Divots/ For Grada" written and recorded by Lissa Schneckenburger, with Rachel Aucoin (piano), Mali Obomsawin (double bass), and Karen Tweed (accordion). From Falling Forward. Filmed and edited by Rebecca Branson Jones in southern Vermont on the ancestral unceded lands of the Abenaki and Wabanaki Confederacy. We recognize these people as the past, present, and future stewards of this land.
