Lissa Schneckenburger

Lissa Schneckenburger (born May 11, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, and traditional New England fiddler. She was raised in Maine and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Improvisation from New England Conservatory of Music in 2001. 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."

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. 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.

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 and A taste of Passover, with host Theodore Bikel. She was also featured on the TV Special with Childsplay called "Childsplay: the story of Fiddles, Fiddlers, and a Fiddlemaker.

Lissa has played all over the world as a fiddler and vocalist, including appearances in Russia, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Canada, and the United States. She has toured in bands: Lissa Schneckenburger (since 2001), Low Lily (since 2014), Childsplay (since 2006), Phantom Power (2001- 2009), and Halali (2000-2011). She has additionally performed with bands: Gaelic Storm, Solas, Le Vent Du Nord, Genticorum, The Fretless, Cherish The Ladies, and appeared on the Christmas Celtic Sojourn.

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.

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.

Lissa has been interviewed and included in several publications including Beyond Talent: So You Want to Create a Career in Music, So You Want To Sing Folk Music by Valerie Mindel, and has been mentioned in North American Fiddle Music: A Research and Information Guide.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Music videos 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.Bedlam Blues2021Lissa 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.Since The Day We Met2020Recorded on the full-length album, Thunder in My Arms.We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together Parody2021Lyrics 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 AudioRound of Blues2022Liz 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.Falling Forward2023Filmed and edited by Rebecca Branson Jones in Brattleboro VT. Musicians: Lissa Schneckenburger, Amanda Witman, Mary Lea, Erica Morse, Peter Siegel, Louisa Engle, Gil Rosenberg, Emma Schneider, Arthur Davis, Brendan Taaffe, Donal Sheets, Rachel Lindsey, Niamh Lindsay-Sheets, Yann Falquet, Shawn Magee, Matt Neikirk, Desha Peacock, Crista Yagjian, and Nate Feindel.Sorry for the Divots2023"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.