Virtuosic Americana

Vocalist, pianist, and accordionist Sasha Papernik is a classically trained pianist and first-generation Russian American. Drawing on her dual heritage, she uses her wide range of talents to present concerts spanning genres and continents. Her self-released bilingual album, Victory, was hailed by reviewers as “unparalleled in its aesthetics and musical elegance” (Indiemunity). Her bilingual concert, I Speak Music, has toured New York City schools through The Center for Arts Education, Lincoln Center Education, and Carnegie Hall. Recent performances include appearing as onstage accordionist with American Ballet Theatre in the 2025 production of The Winter’s Tale. Sasha is a graduate of Wellesley College and the Manhattan School of Music.

Guitarist and vocalist Justin Poindexter was raised in North Carolina, the son of a country singer and a schoolteacher. Specializing in American roots music—including folk, blues, country, and traditional jazz—his 2014 album with The Amigos, Diner in the Sky, won Americana Album of the Year from the Independent Music Awards. Justin has performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, David Amram, Ken Peplowski, Bria Skonberg, Ranger Doug, Nellie McKay, Catherine Russell, and Pete Seeger, among many others, and has traveled extensively overseas through the American Music Abroad program. He leads Jazz at Lincoln Center’s global outreach concert initiative, Let Freedom Swing, which has reached more than half a million students worldwide. Justin is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Martha Bassett is a North Carolina–based singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for blending Americana, jazz, folk, gospel, and roots music. Based in Winston-Salem, she has performed throughout the Southeast for more than two decades and is the creator and host of The Martha Bassett Show at the Reeves Theater in Elkin, North Carolina. Her performances are noted for their warm, expressive vocals and collaborative spirit, often featuring regional and national guest artists. Bassett has released multiple recordings and is also active in church and community music programs.

Rex McGee is a North Carolina musician, composer, and educator specializing in banjo, fiddle, and guitar. Raised near Sauratown Mountain in North Carolina, he comes from a family tradition of old-time musicians and has developed a reputation for innovative work in bluegrass, jazz, and traditional American music. McGee teaches through the Community Music School at the UNC School of the Arts and is respected for his original compositions and improvisational style. In addition to performing, he previously worked as a pharmacist while maintaining an active musical career.

Patrick Lawrence is a bassist, composer, producer, and arts administrator based in North Carolina. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, he graduated from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago and spent many years performing in Chicago’s jazz and improvised music scene before relocating to the South. Lawrence performs widely throughout the region in Americana, jazz, swing, and roots music settings, including regular appearances with Martha Bassett and The Martha Bassett Show. In addition to performing on double bass, he serves as producer and manager for the acclaimed live music series at the Reeves Theater in Elkin, North Carolina. His work is known for blending strong jazz foundations with a collaborative Americana sensibility.