Ellen Stapenhorst

For over five decades, Ellen Stapenhorst has been entertaining audiences with her uplifting, original folk music, humor and a love of bringing people together.  Her rich, clear voice (about which actor Tim Curry once exclaimed, "A DAMN fine set of pipes!"), strong guitar playing, and insightful, well-crafted songs come from and go right to the heart.

Ellen's life and musical roads have taken her from the LA coffee houses of the 60's, to Colorado and the eclectic Aspen-based country-rock band Tanglefoot in the 70's, to Nashville, Northern California and her current home in western Colorado.  She's played in castles on the Rhine, concert halls in Europe and the Caribbean, and the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver.  She brings a joyful intimacy to venues large and small.  Ellen has shared stages with many artists, including John Denver, Buffy Ste. Marie, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Stewart, Shawn Colvin and Frankie Valle.  

Ellen's music was recently featured in the Aspen Choral Society's spring concert, and she performed her song Our World with the 110 voice Staley High School Choir in North Kansas City in their fall concert.  "My songs are my kids, and I want them to go out into the world and do good things," she said.  The choral performances are one way that is happening!