Joy Zimmerman cultivates joy and community as a touring folk and acoustic roots singer-songwriter. Joy’s most recent album, “Where the Light Lives,” debuted at #6 on the Folk Alliance International (FAI) Folk Chart Top Albums August 2023, and “The Canvas Before Us” debuted at #8 in August 2021. Dani Goodband of Lakeside Music, Manhattan, KS, says “Joy is a multi-instrumentalist (fiddle, guitar and more) with a beautiful voice. Add all that to her insightful writing and you have a show any host would line up to present to their audience.”

Joy began violin lessons before walking to kindergarten. Many miles of classical music later, she picked up a guitar, started a band, found her voice, and discovered a talent for songwriting. She has since been awarded ten Walnut Valley Music Festival NewSong Showcase wins, an American Songwriter Lyric Contest Honorable Mention, an Artist As Activist grant from the Mid-America Arts Alliance, and Heartland Song Network Artist of the Month. Joy is an alumnus of the Artist INC program of the Mid-America Arts Alliance. A multi-instrumentalist and former social worker, Joy has nine albums of original music, including a live performance. She brings audiences hope, humor, and connection with a clear, rich voice. Joy blends storytelling, eclectic songs, and fiddle tunes along the way. Joy’s music has been featured on Kansas Public Radio’s Trail Mix Radio Show, Northern Spirit Radio’s Song of the Soul, (Re)Learning Leadership podcast, Hootenanny Cafe Radio Show, KKFI Local Showcase, Tasty Brew Music Radio Show and Podcast, Wednesday MidDay Medley, Women of Substance Radio, Transformative Language Art Network annual conference, Kansas NASW Advocacy Day, Together Women Rise International Women’s Day Celebration, and Folk Alliance Region Midwest DJ Showcases. Joy currently serves on the board of directors of the Folk Alliance Region Midwest and the Transformative Language Arts Network.

Joy’s engaging solo performances weave together her original songs and storytelling. A folk & acoustic roots singer-songwriter, Joy offers guitar, fiddle, and rich vocals. She tailors her concerts to a wide variety of venues and events. Joy loves sharing music and stories with audiences in listening rooms, house concerts, music festivals, and outdoor concert series. Her original songs include themes of resilience, hope, and humor. Joy finds inspiration in historical events, her background in social work, and observations on the wild and wonderful lives we all share.

$700 per 1-2 hour performance, plus mileage

Additional $100 if artist provides the sound system (suitable for audience up to 150)

If travel time is greater than 1.5 hours to the venue, additional $100 for overnight lodging

$200 for one-hour extra workshop (preferably on day of performance)

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Artist Talk: Joy discusses her songwriting process, inspirations, life as a singer-songwriter, recordings and arrangements, and answers questions from the audience. Cost: $200 per one-hour program
• Beginning/Intermediate Songwriting: Explore ways to exercise your creative muscles and develop your unique songwriting voice. Learn more about the songwriting process, arrangements, instrumentation, and powerful lyrics. Basic/Intermediate instrumental skills are helpful but not required. Minimum of 4 participants; maximum of 12 participants. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $200 per one-hour program / $300 per two-hour program
• Rediscover Your Voice: If you are apprehensive about your vocal ability, reclaim your voice through breath, movement, and sound exploration in a safe space. Increase your confidence in your ability to speak up and sing out. Joy will offer insight and exercises from her experience finding her singing, speaking, and songwriting voice in midlife. Cost: $200 per one-hour program

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Joy is an experienced workshop leader, having provided numerous workshops designed for specific groups and settings. She brings musical and performance skills and a background in social work and facilitation. Each of these one-hour programs includes music, stories, individual reflection, and group activities:

• Lessons From Nature
• Women on the Oregon Trail
• The Power of Music
• Strong from the Inside Out
• Women In All Seasons: Celebrating Our Lives
• Music for Seniors

Cost: $200 per one-hour program