Lanesboro Arts in partnership with Sarah Peterson proudly presents the Spring Songwriters Showcase! Join area singer-songwriters for a unique acoustic musical experience with the first Songwriters Showcase concert of 2025 at the St. Mane Theatre on Saturday, April 12th at 7 pm.
Tickets are on sale online now for an Early Bird price of $15 if you purchase them by Saturday, April 5th, 2025. The regular ticket price is $20. Get your tickets now at https://sarahpetersonmusic.com/songwriter-showcases
Audience members will be immersed into this intimate concert setting, where four singer-songwriters will share their original songs, along with the inspirations and stories behind them! Each concert in this series is presented in a Nashville-style round robin format, which removes the usual distractions of a normal gig, and allows the audience to be drawn into the emotional heart of each song. The Spring Songwriters Showcase will feature Jill Burkes, Audrey Robinson, Jason Chaffee, and Sarah Peterson.
About the Artists:
Jill Burkes is a singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Hibbing, MN. She began studying the violin at age 7. At 10 she embarked on her first European tour as part of the Singing Strings ensemble which culminated in a performance at the White House at age 12. During her college years she set out on her 2nd European tour, this time with Duluth based ensemble Sound of Strings. After teaching herself the basics of guitar, Jill took time off to raise a family. Back to music again in 2017, Jill performed in multiple Iron Range projects and appeared on numerous albums before beginning her own songwriting journey in 2020. Currently fronting the folk rock band Morningbird, their debut album “Echoes in the Meadow” was released in May 2024.
Audrey Robinson is a singer-songwriter originally from Waterloo, Iowa, and now based out of Rochester MN. She has been playing and writing for pert near 20 years now, and has been performing throughout the Midwest for about 15 years. With a folk/punk style, her lyrics and songs are honest and straightforward. She has been an active musician for most of her adult life, and plays a wide range covers and original material.
Jason Chaffee is an award-winning composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer whose music exists in the space between notes—where emotion lingers and inspiration resonates. Drawing from artists like Peter Gabriel, Ólafur Arnalds, Max Cooper, and David Gilmour, he blends ambient-electronic textures with folk-inspired instrumentation, crafting cinematic soundscapes that transcend genre boundaries. His debut album, Carry Me (2018), earned a spot on the NACC Top 200 chart, showcasing his ability to write infectious, melody-driven songs. Now, Jason is preparing for his most ambitious project yet—a double album release on July 18, 2025. The first, a folk-rock/pop album, delivers raw emotion and powerful storytelling, reflecting his personal journey through mental health, chronic illness, and recovery. Shortly after, he will release an ambient album, offering a space to breathe—a sonic release from the angst of its rock counterpart. This dual release allows listeners to experience both the intensity and the resolution, creating a unique, immersive musical experience.
Sarah Peterson has been writing songs since she was a kid and decided about 5 years back to really dive into the craft of songwriting. Since then, she has written with other songwriters all over the world. Recent success include a song on rotation on Sirus XM radio (If Country Was a Town) and two songs in rotation on Malaysian Radio Stations (Glitter and Gold, Together). With a heart for lyrics she delivers songs that break your heart and heal it at the same time. From her home base in Lanesboro she developed her first artist project last year, releasing four singles and the full six song EP ‘Singing to the Angels’. Sarah offers an eclectic blend of acoustic Folk & Americana sounds with bits of country tossed in. With vocals reminiscent of Stevie Nicks and Madi Diaz and heartfelt lyrics ala Lori McKenna Sarah is carving out her own unique space in the singer songwriter world.
Sarah Peterson is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.