Teaching songs & folklore

Connecting you to ancestral tradition

Online courses and in-person workshops exploring traditional folk songs from Appalachia, Scotland, Ireland, England and beyond.

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I'm Saro Lynch-Thomason, a song leader, folklorist, and ritualist living in Asheville, North Carolina.

For nearly 20 years, I've studied traditional songs of Appalachia, the American South, and the Anglo-Celtic Isles. I see songs as vessels of profound knowledge that we can unpack together and carry forward to empower our communities.

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Online Folk Music Education

Learn about traditional folk songs from Appalachia and the Anglo-Celtic Isles through online courses designed for all voices. Each course unpacks the history, folklore, and meaning behind the songs, so you're not just learning to sing them, but understanding what they've meant and how to carry those meanings forward.

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In-Person Asheville Workshops

Join me in Asheville and beyond for workshops on traditional ballads, pagan song, and more. Whether it's a one-day deep dive or a multi-day retreat, you'll walk away with songs to carry into your own communities.

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WNC Pagan Choir

The Western North Carolina Pagan Choir gathers three seasons a year to learn and sing songs rooted in earth-based tradition. Open to all voices and all levels of experience in and around Asheville, NC.

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Listen

Songs spanning traditional Appalachian ballads, original works, and the Celtic sounds of my band Émigré.

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Notes on Song & Folklore

Songs, traditions, folklore and the history behind them.

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  • “Our attendees loved Saro’s powerful vocal style, the deep research and inviting teaching method she brings to workshops, and her passion for the people behind her songs."

    — Ian McGullam, Youth Traditional Song Weekend Organizing Committee

  • “Saro Lynch-Thomason is not only a marvelous musician, but also an exceptionally skilled teacher.”

    — Dr. Marc Faris, Teaching Assistant Professor of Music Theory/Composition, East Carolina University

  • “Saro’s ballads workshop was wonderful. I loved her selection of ballads. It was super fun and all levels of singers could do well there.”

     — Kare S, student

  • “I loved Saro’s workshop on Appalachian Ballads. Saro is passionate about old ballads and keeping the tradition alive by adding verses or music to found lyrics. She made the whole process so fun & accessible.”

     — Alinahh E, student

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