Shanna In a Dress

Shanna in a Dress is your quirky best friend who refuses to wear pants, but don't let that fool you. She says what everyone has felt but no one else will say and you'll get an uncensored journey of clever humor and heartbreak, extreme candor, and a hefty side of entertainment at her shows and through her songwriting prowess. This witty wordsmith is known for taking you on an emotional roller coaster, sometimes within the same song. 

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Shanna in a Dress has opened and shared the stage with Steve Poltz, Ellis Paul, Susan Werner, Christine Lavin, and many other folk legends. She is also a popular songwriting coach at retreats and workshops online and at festivals across the US.  She began mentoring creatives to step into their dreams after attending the Institute for Coaching Mastery and now works privately with select individuals across the year to help them actualize their creative dreams in her custom Artist Accelerator program.

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An award-winning songwriter, Shanna has been named the winner of the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Song showcase, Kerrville New Folk song competition, Great River Folk Fest, and a Grassy Hill Emerging Artist at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.

 

She'll help you take your songs to the next level, with meaning, emotional depth, humor when warranted, and with insights as to what works and connects with audiences of all types.  

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Wyatt Espalin​

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Wyatt Espalin is an award-winning singer-songwriter, fiddler, and storyteller whose music captures the raw beauty of his Appalachian roots. Raised on a rustic campground in North Georgia by his maternal grandparents, Wyatt's musical journey began with his championship-winning clogging and Appalachian buck-dancing before evolving into a passion for songwriting and performances adding a fresh voice to the alternative-folk scene.

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His artistry has been recognized through numerous accolades, including winning the 2014 LEAF. Festival New Song Singer-Songwriter Competition and placing as a finalist in prestigious events such as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour Competition, the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase, and Eddie's Attic Bi-Annual Open Mic Shootouts. Wyatt has also shared the stage with an impressive lineup of artists, including the Indigo Girls, Jim Lauderdale, Patty Loveless, Shawn Mullins, Lorrie Morgan, and Sam Bush, among many others.

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Wyatt's first full album, Lies From A Lonesome Valley, featured his band, The Riverstones, and guest appearances by Amy Ray of Indigo Girls and Grace Pettis. The collection of songs reflects Wyatt's deep introspection on identity, belonging, and the search for home, blending haunting melodies, evocative storytelling, and rich instrumentation.

 

Wyatt initially discovered his love for performing first as a clogger alongside his brother, then as a self-taught fiddler inspired by the traditional sounds of Appalachian music. His journey into songwriting and guitar playing was influenced by a youth minister who composed songs for church gatherings. Over time, Wyatt honed his craft through performances, song schools, festivals, and using music as a form of healing and self-expression. His songs, rich with vivid storytelling and emotional depth, resonate with audiences across the USA, whether performed in a small listening room or on a festival stage.

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Beyond music, Wyatt embraces his Appalachian heritage, enjoying camping, hiking, rafting, and kayaking. His connection to nature and his past continues to shape his artistry, making him a standout voice in contemporary folk and Americana music. In addition to being a compelling performer, he weaves together the threads of his past into music that is both deeply personal and universally moving, and now as an instructor for us and others wanting to learn. ​

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Robby Layton

Dr. Robby Layton is an accomplished former business owner, professor, guitar player, singer, songrwriter, in-demand session musician, and producer for music, bands, and recording. He'll add classes with expertise in guitar theory for all levels, arranging for groups, bands, and solo performances, and production elements. 

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Teresa Penbrooke

Dr. Teresa Penbrooke is the creative and collaborative force behind Herons Haunt and the Seabreeze SongLab. After many years of public speaking and on-the-road business consulting and management, health and social science research, and education for universities and a variety of other venues, she emerged as a professional musician, songwriter, and performer traveling around the USA and other countries with bands and as a solo performer. For SongLab she'll add instruction on cultivating wellbeing while creating and traveling, along with hints for maximizing performances and stamina. 

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