Lissa Schneckenburger, a Vermont-based fiddle player, composer, and songwriter, has been a prominent figure in the American acoustic music scene for over two decades. Born on May 11, 1979, in rural Maine, she graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Improvisation from the New England Conservatory of Music.
Her 2019 album, Thunder In My Arms, explores themes of attachment, parenting, and developmental trauma through all-original songs. Inspired by her foster and adoptive parenting experiences, the album features a diverse ensemble including Natalie Haas (cello), Stefan Amidon (drums), and Zara Bode (vocals). The project conveys themes of resilience, compassion, and emotional nuance, offering listeners both comfort and inspiration.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to Schneckenburger’s touring schedule but sparked a surge of creative output. She channeled this period of reflection and challenge into a series of new compositions. The first of these appeared on Falling Forward, released in March 2023. It features original fiddle tunes interwoven with two traditional New England songs.
Recorded in December 2022, Falling Forward includes an all-female ensemble of acoustic music leaders, including producer and fiddler Katie McNally, pianist Rachel Aucoin, bassist Mali Obomsawin, cellist Natalie Haas, and accordionist Karen Tweed. The album features lively, celebratory pieces and introspective, contemplative melodies. Moreover, Falling Forward reflects both joy and quiet reflection; an artistic response to the collective experiences of recent years.
Schneckenburger’s work combines traditional dance music with original compositions informed by her personal life, including her experience as a foster and adoptive parent. Falling Forward marks her first fiddle-focused release in over a decade, reaffirming her dedication to exploring the intersection of tradition and innovation.
Schneckenburger also uses her music to address pressing global issues. Her single “Labor On” centers on environmental activism, inspired by protests at New Hampshire’s Merrimack Generating Station. Written against the backdrop of escalating environmental crises, the song underscores her call for collective action against ecological destruction.
In addition to her performance career, Schneckenburger is a dedicated music educator. She offers private lessons both virtually and in person, teaching traditional New England, Scottish, and Irish repertoire, as well as composition, arranging, and vocal techniques. Her students range from beginners to advanced musicians, all benefiting from her emphasis on creativity, musicianship, and technique.
Schneckenburger’s collaborative efforts extend across numerous ensembles, including the folk trio Low Lily (since 2014) and the long-running group Childsplay (since 2006). Earlier collaborations include Phantom Power and Halali.
Discography:
The Mad Hatter (Outer Green Records, 1997)
Different Game (Footprint Records, 2001)
Halali, with Hanneke Cassel, Laura Cortese, Flynn Cohen (Footprint Records, 2003)
Phantom Power, with Bruce Rosen (Footprint Records, 2003)
Lissa Schneckenburger (Footprint Records, 2005)
Song (Footprint Records, 2008)
Dance (Footprint Records, 2013)
Covers (Footprint Records, 2014)
Thunder In My Arms (Footprint Records, 2019)
Falling Forward (Footprint Records, 2023)
With Childsplay:
Waiting for the Dawn (2009)
As the Crow Flies (2013)
The Bloom Of Youth (2018)
With Low Lily:
Low Lily, EP (2013)
10,000 Days Like These (Mad River Records, 2018)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.