Scenic Roots

Duo

Erin and Amber Rogers are a sister duo from Concordia, KS who have been performing together for over ten years. Because they have always been playing together, their arrangements are tight and their performances consistent. Erin plays mountain dulcimer and piano, Amber plays fiddle and clawhammer banjo, and both girls sing. Their music is a blend of old-time mountain melodies, bluegrass drive, and down-home humor.

Erin's musical journey began when she started playing piano at the age of five. She soon discovered that pianos aren’t very portable and acquired a mountain dulcimer when she was seven. She taught herself to play, fell in love with the instrument, and soon developed a playing style all her own. Erin won the 2004 National Mountain Dulcimer Contest at the age of seventeen, becoming the youngest ever to win this title. In 2007, Erin was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. As she went through chemotherapy and battled her cancer, music became an important part of the healing process. She is now cancer free and desires to share the healing touch of music with others going through painful trials.

Amber’s musical journey began when she was at the young age of 4. She started her on the fiddle and soon began classical piano training. Amber has a fascination with learning new instruments and is constantly adding to her list. She now plays the piano, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, claw-hammer banjo, mandolin and sings. Her favorite place to be is in the background, adding licks and runs to help enhance the other instruments being played. She enjoys playing with any instruments, in any style of music.

Both girls also enjoy sharing their knowledge of music to others through teaching. Erin teaches workshops and private lessons on mountain dulcimer, piano, and basic music theory. Amber teaches private lessons on piano, fiddle, hammered dulcimer and banjo. They also teach joint workshops about playing with others in jam sessions or ensembles.

Erin and Amber began playing with their dad Doug as Scenic Roots in 1996 at nursing homes and small local festivals. By 2005, they were performing a couple times a week and traveling all across the United States. Scenic Roots performed in sixteen states and Japan before they slowed down in 2006 when Erin started college and Doug got a new job. In 2007, Erin and Amber took off on their own for a summer tour through twelve states. Now they are both attending bluegrass school at South Plains College and continuing to perform together. Erin and Amber are sure to delight you as they combine their many musical influences into a unique duo presentation. .