(Posted October 13, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Living proof that hot music can come from cold climates, Bearfoot, a bluegrass band whose roots are in Alaska, will perform at Juniata College at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, in Rosenberger Auditorium in the Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts on the Juniata campus.

For tickets and information about the Juniata College Presents series, please call (814) 641-3608. General admission tickets for single performances are $20, except where otherwise noted. Single-show tickets for seniors over age 65 and children age 18 and under are $12. Juniata College students are admitted free with a student ID.

Bearfoot's musicians all met as music students at music camps in Alaska, coming together as a band during summer breaks from their schools across the state. In 2001, the fledgling group won the Telluride Bluegrass Festival band contest and decided to take its talents onto a national stage.

The group still plays the Appalachian-influenced music that inspired them as youngsters, but has expanded their repertoire.

Touring in support of their most recent album, "Follow Me," Bearfoot has branched out from its bluegrass roots to incorporate blues, jazz and Celtic influences into their music.

The members of Bearfoot are all accomplished instrumentalists as well as extraordinary vocalists. The band members are: Annalisa Tornfelt, fiddle; Kate Hamre, bass; Angela Oudean, fiddle; Mike Mickelson, guitar; and Jason Norris, mandolin.

The group has released three albums, "Follow Me" (2006), "Back Home" (2003) and "Only Time Knows" (2001).

The group tours extensively and plays at almost every major bluegrass festival in the United States, including Telluride, RockyGrass festival and Wintergrass Festival.

The group writes most of its own material, although Annalisa Tornfelt wrote much of the material on the group's latest album "Follow Me."

The group, true to their beginnings as music campers, has formed a business, Bluegrass Camps for Kids, which is run by the members of the band. The camps are offered in Alaska, Canada and throughout the United States.

Kate Hamre operates Bluegrass Camps for Kids throughout the United States and Canada. Mike Mickelson grew up in Cordova Alaska and lived at a birding lodge accessible only by boat. Jason Norris spends his free time as a music teacher in Girdwood, Alaska. Angela Oudean is from Anchorage, Alaska and also performs with the band Everybodyfields. Annalisa Tornfelt has released several solo albums.



Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.