Sprig of That Trio

featuring Krissy Bergmark (tabla),

Isabel Dammann (violin), and Ilan Blanck (guitar)

Wednesday, May 31^st at 7:30 pm

Sprig of That is a tabla, fiddle, and guitar trio drawing inspiration from the work of cross-genre pioneers like Zakir Hussain, Chris Thile, and Béla Fleck to play music that is both steeped in tradition(s) and thoroughly modern. Though this combination of instruments might seem unexpected at first glance, Sprig has left an immediate and lasting impression on all who have heard and seen them.

“The unique trio is a breath of fresh air, and ‘Riversong’ is the latest example of their instrumental mastery.”  — MUSIC MECCA  

Supported by series underwriters, Greg & Deb Bolino 

Sprig of That appears courtesy of Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates

Isabel Dammann, violin
Krissy Bergmark, tabla
Ilan Blanck, guitar
Isabel Dammann, violin

Isabel is an accomplished classical violinist and fiddler currently living in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from Lawrence University in 2017 with Bachelor’s degrees in Violin Performance and Geology, and has spent the last few years exploring various musical styles and jumping on every opportunity she can to expand her versatility as a musician. She was the president and founder of the Fiddlers of Lawrence University, served as Concertmaster of the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, and performed as a violinist and fiddler with various ensembles at Lawrence and around Wisconsin. In Minneapolis, Isabel performs with her folk trio Sprig of That, teaches private Suzuki Violin lessons, and works as a Sales Associate at Claire Givens Violins.

Krissy Bergmark, tabla

Krissy Bergmark is a tabla player, percussionist, composer, and educator. Bergmark centers her creative work on bringing tabla to new genres and cross-genres through composition and performance with a grounded understanding of the traditions of the instrument. She has received commissions and grants through the Cedar Commissions, the Jerome Foundation, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, and the Minnesota State Arts Board for her tabla studies and compositions for tabla, percussion, and strings. She attended the International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music at Banff Center for Arts and Creativity in 2018, and Silkroad Ensemble’s Global Musician Workshop in 2016. She composes and performs with her progressive folk trio Sprig of That, experimental duo Lo.mocean, and a variety of other artists in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Chicago, and New York. Krissy is a 2010 graduate of Northern Illinois University and a 2012 graduate of the University of Minnesota. She is an Adjunct Professor at Oakton Community College, and is a teaching artist with Mandala South Asian Performing Arts in Chicgao. She studies tabla with Pandit Yogesh Samsi. You can stay updated on her latest recordings, projects, and performances via www.krissybergmark.com, Facebook, and Instagram.

Ilan Blanck, guitar

Ilan Blanck is composer/songwriter/producer, guitarist, and educator currently based in Boulder, CO. In 2020, he premiered “Ya No Tengo Miedo Por Primera Vez,” a song-cycle recounting the life of his great-grandparents through his own Midwestern, Mexican-Jewish eyes. As a music-maker, he has written and arranged for all kinds of projects, including orchestras, podcasts, love-sick singer-songwriters, high school choirs, and a lot of bands. As a guitarist, he has appeared on over a dozen releases of original music, including “bloom,” the full-length all-original debut from chamber-folk trio Sprig of That, produced by Wes Corbett (Sam Bush, Joy Kill Sorrow), and recorded by Dave Sinko (Punch Brothers, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer…and so many more). At home in front of an audience, he has toured the East Coast and Midwest, sharing the stage with artists ranging from eighth blackbird and Guster to Here Come the Mummies and Charlie Parr. He can most often be found counting to five with Sprig of That or as the Power Ranger in funk-rock circus Porky’s Groove Machine.

An experienced teacher, Ilan has given dozens of educational workshops across the country with partner organizations like Carnegie Hall, Minnesota Public Radio, and the Mile of Music Music Education Team. He also works as assistant to Minneapolis’ super-producer/record label CEO Lazerbeak (Lizzo, Doja Cat, Doomtree), and is currently pursuing the Master of Music degree in Music Composition at the University of Colorado Boulder where he teaches undergraduate introduction to music technology.

COVID-19 Safety Policy for Indoor Concerts

• Masks are welcome and available as needed.
• Please do not attend a performance if you are feeling ill or have any symptoms of COVID-19.we