Paul & Win Grace

Leela & Ellie Grace
   Biographies
      Leela
      Ellie

Their high energy performances include songs that range from silly (Paul's favorite!) to romantic (Win's favorite!) to exciting. Vocals are an integral part of Paul & Win's music; they love to make their voices blend in close country duet harmony. This is not to diminish the importance of their instruments. They like to try out all possible combinations of their many instruments, from the old time string band sound of the fiddle and accordion to the romantic tones of the guitar, mandolin and autoharp. One fan was known to comment, "They make a lot of music for only two people!"

In early 2001, Paul & Win's sixth recording, Love's Lasting Light, was released as Paul & Win celebrate their 27th year of playing together, and begin to tour extensively after a few years of sticking closer to home. This 17-song CD is primarily a duet album, although it features great help from daughters Leela and Ellie and friends Cathy Barton and Dave Para.

In 1996, Paul & Win's fifth recording, Dance Upon The Earth, was released. This was the third album that Paul & Win have recorded with daughters Leela and Ellie Grace. Available in CD and cassette, this album has 17 songs with four original songs by Leela, one by Ellie, some kick-out-the-jams old-time fiddle music, some contemporary folk music, and even hot clog dancing!

For years, The Grace Family toured and performed throughout North America, singing and playing together as only a family band can! Since the final Grace Family appearance at the Indiana Fiddler's Gathering in June of 1998, they have evolved into two duos: Paul & Win Grace AND Leela and Ellie Grace. The four of them still love nothing better than singing and playing and dancing together when they can find the time. One duo or the other has been known to show up unexpectedly at the other duo's gigs to be supportive and maybe sit in on a song. There is no doubt about it though, they all four have music and dance ringing through their souls!

For a calendar of current bookings or for monthly news on all four Graces, see Current Schedule and Current News.

Ellie is a full-time college student at Columbia College, a small liberal arts college in Columbia, MO. Leela graduated summa cum laude in 2000 from Columbia College with a B.A. in Individual Studies, Concentration in Creative and Performing Arts. She worked in late 2000 and early 2001 as Festival Assistant for First Night Columbia. Leela continues to write songs and perform music and dance both as a solo and in collaboration with Ellie and others.

Both Leela and Ellie's first love is music and dance, which they pursue in every spare minute! They have enjoyed (and do enjoy!) appearing onstage with and collaborating with other dancers and musicians-- with dancer Jean Denney, singer-songwriter Sally Rogers, Irish musicians Timmy Britton and Pat Egan and old time musicians Geoff Seitz and Jim Nelson. Ellie will graduate in the spring of 2001, and while her plans are up in the air, there is no doubt that she will continue to play music, write songs, and dance!