Join SummerFest on Sunday, July 12, at 3 p.m. for an unforgettable afternoon of Virtuosic
Americana at the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness, 114 30 th St. in Winston-Salem.
Featuring internationally acclaimed artists Sasha Papernik and Justin Poindexter, this
extraordinary concert celebrates the rich tapestry of American music through dazzling
musicianship, heartfelt storytelling, and genre-spanning creativity. Together with special guests
Martha Bassett, Rex McGee, and Pat Lawrence, they will present selections from their acclaimed
Irving Berlin tribute, award-winning original songs, and unexpected musical gems.
With airtight harmonies and breathtaking instrumental virtuosity, Sasha and Justin have
captivated audiences at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall,
Lincoln Center, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. As cultural ambassadors for the
U.S. State Department, they have toured internationally and continue to earn recognition for their innovative artistry and songwriting. Whether you’re a fan of folk, jazz, bluegrass, classic
American song, or simply great live music, this concert promises a vibrant and inspiring musical journey.
Vocalist, pianist, and accordionist Sasha Papernik is a classically trained pianist and first-
generation Russian American. Drawing on her dual heritage, she uses her wide range of talents
to present concerts spanning genres and continents. Her bilingual concert, “I Speak Music,” has
toured New York City schools through The Center for Arts Education, Lincoln Center
Education, and Carnegie Hall. Sasha is a graduate of Wellesley College and the Manhattan
School of Music.
Guitarist and vocalist Justin Poindexter was raised in North Carolina, the son of a country singerand a schoolteacher. Specializing in American roots music — including folk, blues, country, and traditional jazz — his 2014 album with The Amigos, “Diner in the Sky,” won Americana Album of the Year from the Independent Music Awards. He leads Jazz at Lincoln Center’s global outreach concert initiative, “Let Freedom Swing,” which has reached more than half a million students worldwide. Justin is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Martha Bassett is a North Carolina–based singer, guitarist and songwriter known for blending Americana, jazz, folk, gospel, and roots music. Based in Winston-Salem, she has performed throughout the Southeast for more than two decades and is the creator and host of “The Martha Bassett Show” at the Reeves Theater in Elkin, North Carolina. Her performances are noted for their warm, expressive vocals and collaborative spirit, often featuring regional and national guest artists. Bassett has released multiple recordings and is also active in church and community music programs.
Rex McGee is a North Carolina musician, composer and educator specializing in banjo, fiddle,
and guitar. Raised near Sauratown Mountain in North Carolina, he comes from a family tradition of old-time musicians and has developed a reputation for innovative work in bluegrass, jazz and traditional American music. McGee teaches through the Community Music School at the UNCSchool of the Arts and is respected for his original compositions and improvisational style.
Patrick Lawrence is a bassist, composer, producer and arts administrator based in North
Carolina. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, he graduated from Vandercook College of Music
in Chicago and spent many years performing in Chicago’s jazz and improvised music scene
before relocating to the South. Lawrence performs widely throughout the region in Americana,
jazz, swing, and roots music settings, including regular appearances with Martha Bassett and
“The Martha Bassett Show.” In addition to performing on double bass, he serves as producer and manager for the acclaimed live music series at the Reeves Theater in Elkin, North Carolina.
For more information, schedules and tickets, go to www.musiccarolina.org.
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