Robin O'Herin Traditional Blues & Gospel

Artist / Creative (Individual)

2022 Capital Region Solo/Duo Blues Challenge Finalist, Robin O'Herin, is a touring blues and gospel musician, specializing in historically rich, often interactive concerts that include original and traditional American music, for small listening rooms, festivals, libraries, and schools. Her concerts are warm, affirming experiences that she shares with the audience. Let her take you on a journey of musical exploration through the Delta and Piedmont regions of the South. Song selections may include Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson and Robin's own original blues and fingerstyle ballads. Robin teaches blues guitar and songwriting in after-school programs is available for artist residencies. She has programs on Poetry and Blues in the Harlem Renaissance, Blues and Songwriting, and Rhythm and Roots. Her latest program explores the influences of women in blues. It is called, "Ladies Sing the Blues." She also teaches workshops and master classes in beginning slide guitar and Piedmont blues, singing and songwriting. Robin is currently working on creating a comprehensive library to pitch to movies and TV for sync licensing.

Robin has shared the stage with Paul Geremia, Andy Cohen and Roy Bookbinder, as well as touring regionally in the US and in Europe.



A natural teacher, she teaches in many different settings: both privately, in schools, and also in music camps. Subjects taught include fingerstyle and bottleneck blues guitar, ukulele, voice, and songwriting, She has had her original music licensed to PBS. She loves teaching and working with raisingtheblues.org and other local organizations to bring music into the lives of children and adults to improve their quality of life.

She has partnered with RaisingTheBlues.org to bring music into the lives of sick and disabled children and gives concerts and lessons for special needs children, and GuitarsInTheClassroom.org to train teachers on integrating music into curriculum. She has also worked in after school programs teaching guitar, songwriting and instrument building. She also works with percussion tap artist, Stefanie Weber, bringing workshops and residencies to various schools. Fees for concerts, workshops and residencies vary and are negotiable depending on the project.

Primary Discipline

Music - Traditional

Additional Disciplines

Visual/Crafts - Musical Instruments

Activities

Residency - Other
Arts Instruction / Lessons
Curriculum Development
Residency - In School
Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
Audio or Video Recording
Professional Development / Training
Performance / Concert / Reading
Residency - Community
Community Arts

Awards

  • 2013 Boston Blues Challenge finalist
  • 2009 Telluride Acoustic Blues Challenge Finalist
  • 2007 CT Blues Challenge Finalist
  • 2006 Memphis Blues Challenge finalist
  • 2005, 2007 Licensed music to PBS Roadtrip Nation.
  • 2005 Headline act at the Intercontinental Resophonic Blues Festival in the Czech Republic
  • 2005 2003 Boston Blues Challenge Finalist

Education

  • UMass @ Amherst

Professional Associations

  • BMI
  • RI Songwriters Association
  • International Folk Alliance
  • Massachusetts Cultural Council

Additional Information

  • Year founded: 2004
  • Is a Teaching Artist
  • Is a Touring Artist
  • Approx. 110 events per year
  • Geographic Reach: City/Town-wide, County-wide, Surrounding Counties/Region, State-wide, Surrounding States/Region, Nationally, Internationally
  • Seasons active: Year round