1.What is it that you do?
I mainly perform as a solo harpist and vocalist playing original and traditional folk music. Occasionally I play guitar during my festival performances as well. When I’m performing at my home festival, I also perform with a Celtic band called Painted Trillium.
- Where are you located?
I’m located in Maryland.
- What got you interested in starting out in this business?
In middle school I wanted to join a band, so I started taking guitar and voice lessons. In high school I became very interested in playing folk harp and added those lessons to my music training. A year later, I was hired to play harp music at an event. It was my first paid musical performance, and I loved the experience so much that my desire to become a professional musician grew from there.
- When did you start selling or performing?
I first started to perform at Renaissance Festivals in 2010. My very first year was one weekend at the Maryland Renaissance Festival and I had such a fun time.
- What is your local faire or home faire?
My home faire is the Maryland Renaissance Festival
- Do you travel and if so, how far will you go?
I’ve traveled across the lower 48 states performing at venues and festivals for years. So far, the Renaissance Festivals I have performed at are mainly on the East Coast. These Renaissance Faires include Delaware Renaissance Faire, Philly Faire, New Hampshire Renaissance Faire and Maryland Renaissance Festival.
- What advice do you have to give to others that are just starting out in this business?
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was make your act your own. Don’t try to be like another performer. It will help you stand out when you submit to the festivals and with the audiences that watch you.
- How do you handle thefts or copying of your works?
I had one physical album stolen from me years ago at a festival and there was really nothing I could do to find or identify the person. After that I made sure to move my merchandise closer to me and have it at a level where I can reach out and intervene if necessary. Now I also have someone nearby to help with sales if I’m in the middle of a song or speaking with someone. Thankfully other than that I’ve not had any issues. As far as keeping people from copying my work I make sure to legally protect all my compositions and songs.
- What is your favorite food at faire?
There is lots of good food at the different festivals, but I would say some of my favorite foods are at the Maryland Renaissance festival and they include the crab cakes, crab dip and the pork chops.
- What would you say (nicely) to a faire manager or owner?
Thank you for all your work in putting together and organizing the festivals! I have grown so much as a performer by playing at the festivals.
- What is your set up for your booth/ or what do you have for a set (music/performance?)
Most of the time my performances are acoustic, so usually I bring my instruments, instrument stands, a chair, merchandise and a tip chest (for faires that allow tips). If I have an amplified show I also bring a head mic.
- Why Renaissance Faires or theme? What is it that made you so interested in this period?
I was looking for performance work, and someone I knew who was employed by a Renaissance Faire suggested I audition. I had attended Renaissance Festivals as a patron and thought it might be fun, so I applied.
- Do you do this all year long or do you just do it once a year?
I’m a professional full-time musician and performer. Along with Renaissance festivals I also perform at variety of other venues including Arts Centers, listening rooms, concert series and folk and songwriter festivals
- Describe your first experience with us or your best experience (could be worst experience if you want to share that)
The interactions with the patrons. It’s hard to pick just one example but getting to meet and talk with people after a set is one of the best parts of my festival day. One highlight for me was when a Renaissance Faire patron told me their child took up harp after seeing me play.
- How else do you promote your wares or your music/performance?
I promote through my social media, newsletter and website. My music is on all major streaming and downloading platforms. Physical albums can be bought at my shows or people can email me and purchase them.
- How did you find out about us?
I found out about you after reading your interview with Taliesin Phoenix
- In five years (or less) my goal is to: ___________________
Continue to be performing and recording and releasing music.
- At faire, what garb/attire is your usual go to?
I tend to wear colorful skirts with contrasting tops and vests. Generally, I wear a hat that matches the colors I have on that day but sometimes I wear a snood, flowers or hair clip instead.
- How many Faires other than those you are vending or performing do you go to?
I haven’t gone to faire as a patron in a long time. I would like to in the future.
- Plug your website or fan page here (or both)
My website is http://http://www.kristinrebecca.com
Author’s Note: I want to thank Kristin for her patience with us, I ended up getting a slew of new folks to interview and for some reason, I missed her email the first go -round, guess that’s what happens when I run a page that now has over 10k folks -yeah, I’ve been doing this for a while and am so grateful for all the fans, readers and of course all the folks I get to interview.
So, on that note, I am not accepting any more requests at this time to interview folks until I get to the end of the folks that have contacted me already. I wish you all the best, and again, please do your research on these folks as I do NOT do any research and this is just a promotional page! #HUZZAH!
