Kirsten & Dave
Kirsten Manville – Guitar, Flute & Vocals
Kirsten Manville grew up near Boston and studied piano and flute from
the age of eight. She performed in school band, chorus, and drama.
Kirsten attended Bowdoin College while continuing to study flute and
voice. She also sang in the Bowdoin Chamber Choir. During her senior
year she took up guitar and began composing and performing in a folk
trio. She graduated with a BA in music in 1995. That fall she moved to
Nashville where she worked for the Nashville Symphony and sang in the
Nashville Symphony Chorus. As if that wasn’t enough music for her, on
her days off she went and performed at local Nashville coffeehouses.
She’s kind of a show-off like that. Back in Massachusetts, Kirsten
continues to hone her considerable songwriting skills.
David Simmons – Guitar & Vocals
David Simmons arrived by an equally
circuitous route. He played trumpet and sang in the chorus in grade
school. At puberty he had trouble getting used to his new voice, so he
began taking guitar lessons. Eventually he learned how to sing again. In
1991, Dave got involved in the local community cultural scene and began
producing, as well as performing in, local cultural events. He also
found time to play rhythm guitar in a 7-piece blues, ska, and swing jazz
band. Eventually he began to prefer the sound of the acoustic guitar,
but once in a while he still likes to drag out the old Telecaster. Dave
tries to get out and play every chance he gets, whether it’s solo or in
a combo. He needs to keep busy in order to stay out of trouble.