Spotlight on April Verch and Cody Walters

April Verch & Cody Walters
Fiddle, Dance, Banjo and Song
​from the Ottawa Valley to the Hills of Appalachia
Sunday, May 22 at 3:00 pm
​UU Society of Amherst, 121 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA

Each month Halcyon Arts brings world music to New England, and our concert in May presents April Verch & Cody Walters performing Fiddle, Dance, Banjo and Song ​from the Ottawa Valley to the Hills of Appalachia. They will take the stage at the ​UU Society of Amherst, 121 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA, on Sunday, May 22 at 3:00 pm.

Husband and wife duo April Verch & Cody Walters is a true partnership of kindred musical spirits, each a world-class musician in their own right. Combining their unique backgrounds from Verch’s native Ottawa Valley and Walters’ heartland roots in Kansas, their music showcases endless creativity and versatility—transitioning effortlessly from traditional Ottawa Valley step dancing and fiddle tunes, to old-time fiddle-banjo duets with tight-knit vocal harmonies, to innovative sandpaper foot percussion, all contrasted against Verch’s sweet soprano voice.

Verch and Walters began playing together in 2007 when Walters joined the April Verch Band as their bassist. Initially formed as a pickup band centered around Verch’s own fiddle and dance stylings in 2000, the band grew and blossomed into an established trio of world-class musicians, spanning several musical traditions and backgrounds, yet all united in their mission to share the music they love. Together they have traveled to four continents, performed in fourteen countries, and played everywhere from tiny pubs and dusty festival workshops all the way to legendary stages such as the Kennedy Center and the Ryman Auditorium. In 2018—fittingly amidst their ever-busy tour schedule—April and Cody were married.

During the heart of COVID lockdowns in 2020, the couple began performing as a duo out of necessity, and learned firsthand that sometimes, art born of necessity can yield unexpectedly beautiful results. They developed new material, arrangements and a concert performance that hum with the ease and playfulness that can only be cultivated through deep understanding and trust—as musicians and as partners.

The duo’s diverse repertoire and unbridled passion come to life on stage with a presence that is versatile, robust, and masterfully executed. Audiences remark at their sincerity in sharing stories between tunes.  Verch’s delicate voice, energetic footwork, sand paper foot percussion and stunning playing (sometimes combined all at once!) are jaw-dropping. Walters’ melodic banjo stylings, solid rhythm guitar accompaniment and tasteful vocal harmonies are at once understated and brilliant, dueting with Verch’s skills in glorious harmony. Their ability to preserve the authentic folk traditions of the past and reintroduce them into the musical landscape of the present is a testament to their masterful musicianship and widespread appeal.

April Verch & Cody Walters will be performing live, in-person on Sunday, May 22 at 3:00 pm at the ​UU Society of Amherst, 121 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA. Tickets are available now on our website, www.hartsne.org, or by calling 413-345-2917. ​