Bettman & Halpin's music is new and catchy; an engaging mixture of folk, roots, bluegrass and jazz with memorable lyrics and killer instrumentation. The two of them raise the roof with their soaring harmonies and foot tapping fiddles.
Stephanie Bettman is an accomplished writer, singer, and fiddler: her lyrics are infused with wit and wisdom, poetry and insight. Vocally she draws comparison to the soaring soprano of Joan Baez and the plaintive emotion of Emmylou Harris. Meanwhile, her fiddling, which combines elements of bluegrass and jazz, is filled
with influences from such masters as Stephane Grappelli, Byron Berline and Johnny Gimble.
A former actress and circus artist, Bettman is at ease in front of an audience and creates
intimacy with her crowd no matter the size.
Luke Halpin is a renowned multi-instrumentalist. A master of the guitar and the mandolin, impressive on fiddle, banjo, and adept at nearly anything he picks up.
Halpin draws inspiration from the likes of Sam Bush, Mark O’Connor and Tony Rice and holds his own in comparison.
A dynamic and sensitive vocalist himself, the harmony blend he and Bettman achieve is chilling and at times simply transcendent. Halpin has a long history in the music biz, having shared the stage with the likes of Merle Haggard, Lone Star and The Steve Miller Band (to name a few). His quirky sense of humor is a perfect foil to
Stephanie’s dry witty presence.
Together, Bettman & Halpin are fast earning a reputation for hypnotizing performances filled with irresistible lyrics, transcendent harmonies and roof-raising instrumentals. They have been a featured act at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS
along with musical heroes Byron Berline, Michael Martin Murphy w/ Pat Flynn, and Tommy Emmanuel. As well as several Performing Arts Centers throughout the Western and Southwestern US.
Their music creates a fully acoustic, delightfully eclectic sound far greater than the sum of its parts: taking the listener from up-tempo down home fiddlin’, to soulful sorrowful ballads, to super hooky folk/pop with catchy melodies and lyrics that will stick with you long after the concert is over.
Touring nationally together since 2008, Bettman & Halpin have
been recognized in various Regional and National competitions, including:
•Grand Prize Winners in the So Cal Live Acoustic Music Competition
• Winners in Southern California’s Topanga Banjo / Fiddle Contest
• Music Connection’s Top 25 New Music Critiques
• Their 2 CDs have received national and international radio play and critical acclaim,
both reaching the top 10 on the National Folk DJ chart.
• They are currently working on a Live CD as well as their 3rd studio release.
Bettman & Halpin will be at the following locations
Schedule and Availability
Concert with Stephanie & Luke
Bettman & Halpin's music is new and catchy; an engaging mixture of folk, roots, bluegrass and jazz with memorable lyrics and killer instrumentation. The two of them raise the roof with their soaring harmonies and foot tapping fiddles. View complete details
Ages: Teen Adult Family
Program Type: Music
Master Class Fiddle Workshop
Stephanie Bettman & Luke Halpin offer Master Class Fiddle Workshops. This covers Fiddle basics, and improvisation on the fiddle. In addition she compares and contrasts the difference between "fiddle" and "violin". For violinists and fiddlers.View complete details
Ages: Teen Adult
Program Type: Workshops
Master Class Mandolin Workshop
Luke Halpin offers Master Class Mandolin workshops for groups. His beginner workshop is basic techniques, and tricks for adding mandolin to almost anything. For mandolin players and mandolin want-to-be players.View complete details
Ages: Teen Adult
Program Type: Workshops
Music as a Business
Do you want to be a professional musician? What do you need to become a professional musician? What does it take? How do you book a tour? Etc.... Panel type discussion with Stephanie Bettman & Luke Halpin. Questions welcomeView complete details
Ages: Teen Adult
Program Type: Workshops
Singer/Songwriter Workshop
Have you ever wanted to write a song, but weren't sure how to go about it? Learn all about the process of writing a song - from inspiration (or assignment) to fully arranged performance. This is a workshop geared toward musicians. It deals with the elements of arrangement, song structure, and performance. This workshop can be broken down into different workshops: "Song Arranging", "Singing", "Performing a Song", "Guitar for Singer/Songwriters"View complete details
Ages: Teen Adult
Program Type: Workshops
Singing Workshop
Everyone can sing - right? Discover the ins and outs of being a singer. Learn vocal warm ups, techniques for different genres, & the psychology of singing.....View complete details
Ages: Teen Adult
Program Type: Workshops
California Traditional Music Society
4924 Balboa Boulevard #637
Encino, CA 91316
February 25, 2009
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm writing in enthusiastic support of musicians Stephanie Bettman & Luke Halpin. Stephanie and Luke recently played at the Center for Folk Music as part of the California Traditional Music Society's concert series -- what a wonderful evening! They presented just the right mix of old and new material, from heartbreaking originals to traditional barn-burners, peppered with heart and humor (thanks, Luke, for updating my collection of bad jokes...I think!). They are such talented and versatile musicians, and an absolute pleasure to work with. The audience thoroughly enjoyed them.
I highly recommend that you consider them for your event.
Sincerely,
Lisa Richardson
Executive Director
October 30, 2012
Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin gave an excellent performance. Their music was lovely. I received a great deal of positive feedback from the audience. Several attendees who purchased CDs have told me that they really enjoyed listening to their music.
Yours truly,
Sandi Banks, Senior City Librarian
Simi Valley Library
A selection of photos, videos, and audio clips
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