Shenandoah Run
Falls Church VA - Creative Cauldron; Sunday Jan 19; 2 pm
Get tickets here.
Bethesda MD - Feb 1; Episcopal Church of the Redeemer; 7 pm
Check back for ticket information
Washington DC - Feb 19; Ingleside at Rock Creek <private event>
Show Time - TBD
McLean VA - Feb 22; Vinson Hall Retirement Community <private event>
Show Time - TBD
Vienna VA - Mar 8; Jammin Java; 7 pm
Check back for ticket link
Ashburn VA - Apr 13; Ashby Ponds Senior Living Community; 3 pm
<private event>
Springfield VA - Jul 20; Greenspring Senior Living Community: 2:30 pm <private event>
Silver Spring MD - Aug 15; Riderwood Village <private event>
Show Time - TBD
Past Performances
Annapolis MD - Ginger Cove <private event>;
Sun, September 29, 7:30 pm
Annapolis MD - Anne Arundel Community Concert Association, Severna Park High School; Sun, October 6, 3:00 pm
Tickets available here.
Fairfax VA - CD Release Concert "Daughter of the Stars"
Earp's Ordinary; Sun October 13, 7:00 pm
Reserved seats $15 General Admission $12
Falls Church VA - Creative Cauldron; Fri, August 9, 7:30 pm
Springfield VA - Greenspring Senior Living <private event>;
Sun, August 18, 2:30 pm
Catonsville MD - Charlestown Senior Living <private event>;
Sun, July 21, 3:15
Springfield VA - Lake Accotink Park; Fri, July 19, 7:30 pm
Alexandria VA - The Lyceum; Joint Concert with The Carolyn Eyerly Band; Sat, June 29, 7:30 pm
Annapolis MD - BayWoods of Annapolis <private event>; Sun, June 9, 7:00 pm
Vienna VA - Jammin' Java; Sat, May 18, 8:00 pm Tickets available here
Falls Church VA - Creative Cauldron; Sun, Jan 14, 2:00 pm
Gaithersburg MD - The Arts Barn; Sun, April 21, 7:30 pm Tickets available here.
Annapolis MD - Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Bowen Theatre; Sat, April 20, 7:00 pm Tickets available here
McLean VA - Vinson Hall ; Saturday March 30. 7:30 pm
Urbana MD - Woodlands at Urbana, ; Sat, Feb 3, 7:00 pm
Ashburn VA - Ashby Ponds <private event>; Sun, Jan 28, 3:00 pm
2025 Schedule
Contact Us
Buy Music
Our second CD "SR" is available for purchase. Just click on the Buy Now button below to purchase via Paypal.
Search for us on iTunes and Spotify as well.
What People Are Saying
Read a review in Folk Works of one of our concerts here:
"...At first, [the sound engineer] thought you were just representing a wonderful retro throwback to the styles of the '60s, but then he came to realize that you were really good! Good musicianship and good playing—doing it even better than the New Christy Minstrels and the other groups you patterned after. That's high praise from a sound engineer who gets to hear a lot of groups."
"... I attended Saturday night's performance at Creative Cauldron and enjoyed it very much. Your variety of selections, musicality and apparent enjoyment of your performance was engaging. I look forward to seeing you at Jammin' Java."
"My wife and I just returned from a Shenandoah Run concert at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church. What an energetic and talented, and creative ensemble! It was two of the most entertaining hours we have experienced in a very long time. They did everything from Patsy Cline to Simon and Garfunkel to Gordon Lightfoot, and much more."
"...This was as fine an evening of music as I've experienced with any professional band. It's impossible to choose the most impressive part: The soaring harmonies, the brilliant instrumentalists, the fantastic vocals by the ladies ... wherever this band pops up next, do yourself a favor and get out to see them."
Contact Us
About Shenandoah Run
Shenandoah Run is a nine-member folk ensemble from the Washington, DC area. Formed in 2011, the band performs traditional and contemporary folk music in a manner that delights a diverse mix of music lovers of all ages.
SR showcases the spirited sounds of Americana, along with the occasional country or bluegrass tune, and delivers a rousing mix of music and styles. The members' vocal and instrumental savvy, coupled with a strong desire to keep folk music alive and fresh, are key to the group’s success.
Meet the Members
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 and Vocals
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 - Violin 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.
Ron Goad - Percussion and Vocals
Born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley, Ron is a natural fit for this band, which performs live onstage many favorite songs he originally discovered on a little transistor radio. After an enjoyable teaching career, he has devoted himself to leading nonprofit music organizations that improve the music community and connect listeners to performers. His percussion and harmonies are on award-winning recordings. You can find out more about his projects at facebook.com/RonGoadMusic.
Contact Us
About Shenandoah Run
Shenandoah Run is a nine-member folk ensemble from the Washington, DC area. Formed in 2011, the band performs traditional and contemporary folk music in a manner that delights a diverse mix of music lovers of all ages.
SR showcases the spirited sounds of Americana, along with the occasional country or bluegrass tune, and delivers a rousing mix of music and styles. The members' vocal and instrumental savvy, coupled with a strong desire to keep folk music alive and fresh, are key to the group’s success.
Meet the Members
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 and Vocals
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 - Violin 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.
Ron Goad - Percussion and Vocals
Born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley, Ron is a natural fit for this band, which performs live onstage many favorite songs he originally discovered on a little transistor radio. After an enjoyable teaching career, he has devoted himself to leading nonprofit music organizations that improve the music community and connect listeners to performers. His percussion and harmonies are on award-winning recordings. You can find out more about his projects at facebook.com/RonGoadMusic.