Sharis

Sharis is a well-defined songstress and experienced musician who opens her heart and shares her soul at every show.  Born in nearby Philadelphia, Pa., she is a singer, songwriter, an acoustic guitarist and an energetic performer.  She is a musical healer who is grace in action with her diverse vocals and driving rhythms, creating Americana-Power-Folk-Rock.  Her original songs explore themes of freedom, love, nature, aspiration, and connection with others and music.  Her sound spans from life's gentle songs, to powerful folk-blues-funk-rock, with soul-inspired vocals and a grooving edge.    

     Sharis is a versatile performer in how and what she plays.  She loves to share her original material and enjoys playing solo. She has been a musician for all of her life and loves to share her original music. She entertains at various local venues, from coffee shops and private parties to night clubs in the New Jersey and Philadelphia area.  Sharis' cover song list is long and broad and she always prefers to share her original compositions as well. She moved from Northern California to Southern New Jersey many years ago.  She brings and blends the tones of her travels from Monterey, Santa Cruz, Big Sur and San Francisco, (among other places) into her sound.    

Sharis made her first CD with Wild Reverence, the all-female rock band based in Monterey, California. This CD, titled Wild Reverence, is available for sale on cdbaby.com.  Her second CD, There is Something, was recorded in New York City and is a collection of solo folk songs. This CD is available on itunes, cdbaby.com.  Sharis next released a solo CD called Live at Bridgetown Pub.  She completed a new CD in 2009 called Thank You for Asking, showcasing the diversity of her musical styles.  Sharis' 5th self-released CD was completed in October of 2011, and is called A New Story.  It is primarily a solo folk CD, with some special talented guests, and is filled with healing songs for the soul and spirit.  She is currently working in the studio on a new country and bluegrass project to be released later this year.  Sharis is always creating, her style ever changing, and consistently loves to share her music with the world.  

Sharis was the lead singer of a Mt. Holly, NJ-based Rock/Blues/Funk band called Sharis Band, formerly Madison Hotel, for several years when she first moved to New Jersey from California.  She has been hosting Open Mics in the South New Jersey area for the past fourteen years.    

She also enjoys performing with others in various combinations.    

      Currently Sharis is a member of the Raising River Band which she co-created with her partner Steve Burr.  A five piece Bluegrass/Americana band, Raising River Band showcases strong multi-dimensional harmonies and fabulous solos with guitar, banjo, mandolin and pedal steel guitar.  Together they create a diverse sound, playing both originals and covers with flair and color.  They are currently working in the studio! 

      She also sometimes performs as a duo with Rebecca Copeland,  a Singer-songwriter from the west coast.  She been involved in several projects with Rebecca since they first began their musical careers.   Sharis has played music professionally for over 30 years, performing in a wide range of locations with bands in California, Hawaii, and Colorado as well as New Jersey, and the Delaware Valley.  She had an all-female classic rock band called Kashmir, and also an all-female folk rock band called Wild Reverence, both with Rebecca Copeland.    

     Sharis  also performs with Heidi Winzinger, who is a life long New Jersey resident,  as a duo of Singer-songwriters.  Each bringing their own diverse styles, they join together to create dynamic harmonies with a wide array of original material.  Their distinct styles compliment each other.  Their voices can be described as "Countrified Folk Rock with a twist!"   

      Sharis performed in New Jersey in a group called The Union, for many years made up of talented singer songwriters, bringing exciting four part harmonies, originals and trumpet to the local music scene.  She was joined by Flora Newberry and Mike Riley, and together they created a folky-funky-country-rock sound with a lot of spirit!   Sharis was involved in a Country project called the Red River Boys and did some recording with Tony O.  

       Sharis has performed with Gypsonica, an eclectic and dynamic trio, where she joined with singer songwriters, Mir Stavola and David St James sharing folk-rock and gypsy songs.     

Sharis was a founding member and the former president of "DRFF" Delaware River Folksong Fellowship. "This song circle project was a great way for musicians of all levels to meet, learn, listen, network and share music in a relaxed and accepting environment!" -Sharis

Sharis is a free spirit and was raised in an open minded atmosphere. She  remembers creating songs from a young age. As a child she learned to speak in front of groups with ease and was encouraged to explore her creativity and express herself. As a teenager she started writing songs and became a singer songwriter guitarist. Her upbringing included living on a houseboat and varied world traveling giving her a wealth of material to write about.  She learned to love people, always wanting to share common ground and create a sense of community.  

Sharis also has a lot of professional performance experience. For years she hosted Open Mics and helped spur on a local music scene in Central New Jersey, encouraging many new artists to come into their own. She also helped orchestrate and was one of the founding members of the Delaware River Folk Song Fellowship and hosted song circles with different themes each month. 

She has taught music, choir, theater and guitar to young children for the past 18 years and is an active and engaging music educator.  

Sharis has entertained in many venues in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Colorado and Hawaii. To learn more about Sharis’ additional music projects see her “Other Projects” page..   

She is currently available for bookings and house concerts as a solo performer and with her full band,  Raising River Band.