Frets & Feet was born from a desire to fill a gap in children's school experience. Our son came home one day and announced that his third grade class had been learning about famous Pittsburghers, including songwriter, Stephen Foster. The most prominent fact he remembered was that Stephen Foster was "a nobody who died with 38 cents in his pocket." That was enough incentive to propel us, banjo and songbook in hand, into the classroom to give students a chance to experience and appreciate real live music that they can participate in.

Twenty years later, we are still finding new ways to share our love of self-made music and dance with people large and small, old and young. At a Frets & Feet performance, we make sure the kids - whatever age they might be - have a chance to get up on stage with us. In our school programs, kids get to make up their own verses to songs, show off their own steps, and tell their own stories. At parties, campfires, festivals -wherever we sing and dance, the essence is participation for everyone - whether it's clapping along, learning a new step or song, or just sitting and listening along. 

Daphne is a graduate of Point Park University's dance program. Her ongoing interest in dance has expanded to include many forms of popular dance, including Appalachian clogging and flatfooting, hip hop, tango, waltz, Greek folk dancing - all of which she shares with children through her work with Frets & Feet and also in the public schools, where she has works as a paraprofessional in special education.

Daphne has performed with:

• Western University of Ontario Modern Dancers
• Mary Loyd Claytor Dance Company
• Point Park University Dancers
• Blue Mountain Cloggers
  
• Balafon - West African Dance

Charlie is a multi-instrumentalist, performing on banjo, guitar, autoharp, flutes and whistles. He is also a talented vocalist, songwriter, and teacher. He has served at area churches as organist and choir director for many years. His teaching includes classes for Calliope:the Pittsburgh Folk Music Society, and private lessons at the Melody Shop. He is the founder of Fluteseeds, a project in collaboration with flute maker Rob Yard, that includes bamboo flute making, sales, and workshops

Charlie has performed with:

• Blackthorn - Irish and Appalachian Traditional
• Hooley - Irish Traditional (guest artist)
  
• Kaleidescope - Ethnic Traditional & Klezmer
• The Gum Band - Contra and Square Dance
• Millennium -  Medieval & Renaissance
• Old Economy Village Orchestra
• The Wayward Companions - Colonial American Music