Background:

Performances

Tracy S. Feldman is an energetic performer inspired by progressive rock and new folk, combining classical training in violin and self-taught unique guitar style. He started writing and performing his own material in 1992, developing his own unique, technically interesting guitar work that ranges from fast-paced and hard-edged to introspective and delicate. His artful lyrics explore human emotion and interconnections, and are interwoven with metaphors based in a life-long love of natural history and ecology (in his other life, he works as a biologist studying virus biodiversity, ecology, and natural history). He also uses lyrical and musical themes to attempt to understand sociopolitical issues such as tensions due to prejudices, immigration, domestic violence, school violence, and global issues pertaining to military conflict and the environment.

Seminars: Israeli-Palestinian relations.

For five years (2001-2005), he organized benefit concerts to benefit groups that work for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Over these years, he has developed connections with members of these groups (Jews for a Just Peace NC, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, Christian Peace Team, Ta-ayush), and has steadily educated himself about these issues. Upon moving to Oklahoma in 2006, he developed a seminar on Israeli-Palestinian relations called "What has become of Bethlehem?". This presentation focuses on Palestinian Christians and their plight, as a way to build bridges of understanding between Christians in the US and both Christian and Moslem Palestinians who are in the same situation in the Middle East, and share similar hopes for the peace process.

Publications and Awards:

Performances:

Tracy’s recordings include Standing Room Only (1999), Sea of Lucky Numbers, (2003), and Survivin’ in the ‘Burbs (2006). Also, he has recorded fiddle with many other singer-songwriters in OK, NC, FL, and PA, including Akire Bubar (Arms of the Sun), Friction Farm (Believe), Brian Hershberger (Mantle), Mary Rocap (Sweet Mimosa), Laura Silvestri (Standing), Jamie Purnell (Two Different Towns), Greg Taylor (All In My Hands), and Project Mastana (Demo). He has performed at folk festivals (e.g., the Festival for the Eno River, NC), and at several venues in NC, OK, TX, and FL.

Seminar:

After receiving good feedback on the presentation from members of several groups with which he has worked in the past, Tracy gave this seminar at the Church of Open Arms in OKC, and at a Unitarian Church in Norman OK (both in January ‘07). He looks forward to having more opportunities to speak.

Focus:

Tracy has a strong drive to share his passion with others by performing and sharing his songs (which range widely in the amount and type of socio-political content). In his songs addressing sociopolitical issues, he also strives to understand how people can effectively and peacefully work for positive changes in social, political, and environmental issues, both at personal and international levels. Thus, he strives for both an understanding of some of the barriers to making changes, and how these barriers can be surmounted. In his seminar, his focus is on educating about Israeli-Palestinian relations in order to inspire people to act on this globally important issue.

Offerings:

Tracy offers performances, songwriting workshops, and seminars on Israeli-Palestinian relations (as described above). Usually, performances and seminars are geared toward high school age and older.

Availability:

Tracy is available for performances and seminars anywhere in the OK and TX, and nationwide. Weekend days/evenings are more feasible due to constraints of his day job (8-5 M-F).

Fees:

Negotiable

Contact:

Email: tracysfeldman@yahoo.com

Website: www.tracysfeldman.com/music.html