Ken and Julie

“Ken and Julie: love, energy, songwriting talent, two great and diverse voices... the pure talent of DeAngelis and Ziavras combine to generate some real gems, sparkling with energy and life.” (Cindy Hill, CDReviews.com) Singer/songwriter Ken DeAngelis and soprano Julie Ziavras present acoustic, original, contemporary folk music with story-telling, thought provoking lyrics, rich harmonies, and a strong repertoire of contemporary and traditional folk covers. They appear either as a duo or a...

“Ken and Julie: love, energy, songwriting talent, two great and diverse voices... the pure talent of DeAngelis and Ziavras combine to generate some real gems, sparkling with energy and life.” (Cindy Hill, CDReviews.com) Singer/songwriter Ken DeAngelis and soprano Julie Ziavras present acoustic, original, contemporary folk music with story-telling, thought provoking lyrics, rich harmonies, and a strong repertoire of contemporary and traditional folk covers. They appear either as a duo or as Ken and Julie & the Eclectic Folk Project with up to six additional players (including bass, cello, mandolin, flute, piano and hand percussion), adding depth and diversity to their sound. Ken and Julie's recently released debut album entitled "The Dream" features 16 of Ken's original songs. The music and lyrics tell stories, often describing personal experiences, and reviewers have described them as "personal, yet universal in scope, poignant and heartfelt.” The songs focus on critical events in people's lives; events that will end in tragedy or growth, taking listeners through an emotional journey. Ken and Julie perform these songs as a beautiful and lyrical story of life. "Together they make wonderfully detailed music that features evocative lyrics, lovely harmonies and melodies that stay with you long after you hear them." (Steve Israel, The Times Herald Record) Singer/songwriter Ken DeAngelis, studied music, accordion and songwriting at an early age, teaching himself guitar and harmonica. His original songs incorporate his unique guitar flat and fingerpicking styles. “DeAngelis demonstrates remarkable breadth and technical skill…with themes and pace running from the silly to the sublime,” (Cindy Hill, CDReviews.com) making his music "expressive, vivid and riveting." (Richard Ross, The River Reporter) "And the folk world should keep a weather eye open for DeAngelis' future compositions; he may well become the rudder for the next generation of contemporary American folk songwriters.” (Cindy Hill, CDReviews.com) Ken has been featured on radio, television, at numerous song festivals and has won awards at song competitions. He has performed with the "Fast Folk" organization of NYC and has shared the stage with prominent artists among whom are Pete Seeger, John Gorka, Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Artie and Happy Traum, Richard Schindell, blues artist Savoy Brown. Soprano Julie Ziavras, is known for her diversity of repertory and styles and her ability to infuse a classical technique with the popular and folk genres. She has been featured as both a folk and classical singer in concert, radio and television in the U.S. and abroad in a repertory ranging from opera and traditional folk, to Greek and international ballads. She holds both bachelor and master's degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. The New York Times described her as "an estimable vocalist with a silvery voice…cradling her guitar, Miss Ziavras sang a variety of Greek numbers, plaintive to rhythmic, then rounded out the set with a group of English folk ballads…she held the spotlight alone." Dr. James Cotter of The Times Herald Record said that "Soprano Julie Ziavras masters the most difficult instrument, wowing her listeners with her warm and compelling voice, appealing presence and wide range of repertoire… pour(ing) her full energy into each number with virtuosity and verve." Ken and Julie have appeared in concert and at folk venues throughout the northeastern U.S. and their music is heard internationally. Appearances include: Puffin Cultural Forum, Bodles Opera House, Howland Cultural Center, Paramount Theater, Arden House, Riverfest, Grand Montgomery Chamber Music Series, Lycian Theater, Mohonk Mountain House, Storm King Arts Center, Seelig Theatre, Donnell Library, Merkin Hall, American Cancer Society Washington DC, Union Coffeehouse MA, Year of the Rabbit MD, Girdwood Folk Festival, Alaska and the Friends of Music Mansion Series. Their music has been heard internationally, including on Ellopia TV (Greece), a concert tour with Broadway Concerts Direct of six cities in Nova Scotia, numerous webcasts including The Art Music Coffeehouse and RelaxRadio Perth, Australia and was selected from artists all over the world to be part of the recording Protest Songs For A Better World. The Dream is a part of the Peace Autograph Project collection at the International Museum of Peace and Solidarity in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Ken and Julie are recipients of the New York State Council of the Arts Grants.