Singer Songwriters Circle

This is a rare night where an award winning array of singer/songwriters gather together and perform their varied works. The performers include Kati Mac, Ann Klein, David Buskin, Eugene Ruffalo and the duo The Whispering Tree.

Ann Klein, a "guitar goddess" and songwriter, has toured extensively in the US and Europe, played on Broadway including Grease and Kinky Boots, had her compositions used in numerous television and documentary programs, and has played with Kate Pierson of the B-52s, Joan Osborne, Dana Fuchs, Darden Smith, PM Dawn, Randall Woolf & Maurice Sendak (among many others.)

A prolific and deeply personal songwriter, Eugene Ruffalo has won first prize in both the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass and Merlefest songwriting competitions. Having just completed his seventh studio recording, he tours regularly both in the United States and Europe. He has also written, produced and performed in hundreds of radio and television commercials, and won a Clio award. He has worked with artists as diverse as Garth Brooks, Tony Bennett, Kenny Loggins, Run DMC, and Livingston Taylor to name a few. Rolling Stone Magazine hailed him as an “artist to watch-masculine and sensitive at the same time- with an utterly intriguing voice.”

David Buskin, has been ½ of the well known duo Buskin and Batteau,hailed by the NYTimes as "The most musically sophisticated act in folk". As a songwriter Buskin has had songs recorded by Judy Collins, Tom Rush, Peter, Paul & Mary, Johnny Mathis, Astrud Gilberto, Dixie Carter, Pat Benatar, and Roberta Flack. He is a Clio award winner, and has written commercial jingles for Burger King, Amtrack, and Goodyear among others.  He is currently working on a play to be directed by Tony Award winner and fellow Brown graduate, James Naughton.

Kati Mac is a seven-time nominee for the Daytime Emmy Award for best song. Kati has sung live and on recordings with such artists as Meat Loaf, Sting, Michael Bolton and Nona Hendryx. She has sung on many commercials including ones for Coke, Starburst and KFC to name a few. She has released 5 independent CDs and her music has reached the top of the Roots Music Charts. She is an integral part of Arts on the Lake, producing the successful Summer Concert Series held in July.

At the heart of The Whispering Tree are singer/songwriter Eleanor Kleiner and multi-instrumentalist Elie Brangbour. With their deep-reaching sound, haunting vocals and vivid lyrics, this Franco/American duo "combine wistful folk, mellow rock and pinches of gypsy jazz and bluegrass into a compelling compilation of tightly written tunes" - Keyboard Magazine. They have also been described as "One of the most talented duos to take stage in NYC." - Deli Magazine