CPA Season

Nora Brown and Stephanie Coleman

November 13, 2025

7:30 PM

“Ultimately, Lady of the Lake emerges as an example of genuine emotion spawned from archival origins. As such, it resonates with both feeling and finesse.”
—Bluegrass Today

Banjo player Nora Brown and fiddler Stephanie Coleman share a musical partnership shaped by years of playing together, beginning in Brooklyn’s old-time music community. Their duo performances are marked by a sense of ease, connection, and reverence for tradition—balancing lean arrangements with expansive collaboration.

Following the release of their debut EP Lady of the Lake on Jalopy Records—and a featured performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert—Brown and Coleman bring their reverent and spirited approach to Appalachian folk music to their debut Carolina Performing Arts appearance at the Chapel of the Cross.

Event Details

Digital program book: click here to access
Runtime: approximately 60-75 minutes, with no intermission
Additional information: visit our FAQ page
Late seating policy: limited late seating available

Ticket & Discount Information

Tickets available starting at $39. Student tickets always $11.

Discount Information

We offer several discounts for CPA series performances only. Partner and rental events are not eligible.

Important Notes:

Discounts must be applied at the time of purchase and cannot be added retroactively.
Only one discount can be used per order.
We reserve the right to cancel tickets that do not follow these guidelines

Available Discounts:

Military & First Responders

Discount: 15% off
Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
How to redeem: Use promo code SERVICE2526 online or call our box office

Seniors (65+)

Discount: 15% off
Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
ID Required: Yes
How to redeem: Use promo code SENIOR2526 online or call our box office

UNC-Chapel Hill Faculty & Staff

Discount: 25% off
Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC One Card)
How to redeem:
- Current faculty/staff: Use promo code UNCFS2526
- Retired faculty/staff: Use promo code UNCRET2526

UNC Health Staff

Discount: 25% off
Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Health ID)
How to redeem: Use promo code UNCFS2526 online or call our box office

UNC-Chapel Hill Students

Discount: $11 tickets (Zones 3, 4, and 5)
Limit: 2 tickets per student, per performance
ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Student ID)
How to redeem: Use promo code UNCST2526 online and select price type “UNC Student,” or call our box office

Non-UNC Students (K-College, Statewide)

Discount: $11 tickets (Zones 3, 4, and 5)
Limit: 2 tickets per student, per performance
ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Student ID)
How to redeem: Use promo code UNCST2526 online and select price type “UNC Student,” or call our box office

Carolina Alumni Members

Discount: 15% off
Limit: 4 tickets per order
How to redeem: Use promo code GAA2526 online or call our box office

Watch our video on applying discount codes when checking out!
Visit our FAQ page for more details.

Why We’re Presenting This

At CPA, we invite audiences to experience rich artistic legacies and the creative explorations they inspire. Nora Brown and Stephanie Coleman bring a fresh perspective to traditional string music and give us a chance to hear where this old-time music has been and where it’s going.

About the Artists

“There is a shrewd exuberance in the way Nora and Stephanie play together…with consistent flair and an audible mastery of their instruments.”
—Folk Radio UK

Nora Brown
Brown’s path into old-time music began unexpectedly at the age of six, through ukulele lessons that led her deep into traditional American folk. Under the guidance of late mentor Shlomo Pestcoe in Brooklyn, she learned not only technique but also the history and soul of the music. Today, she is known for her focus on traditional banjo styles from Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, studying directly with master musicians such as Alice Gerrard, George Gibson, and the late Lee Sexton. Her four albums on Jalopy Records have all debuted on the Billboard Bluegrass charts, earning praise for their emotional depth and musical clarity.

Stephanie Coleman
Coleman began studying Midwestern fiddle traditions at age 12 and by 13, she had released her debut album and was a fixture on the regional square dance circuit. As an undergrad at Duke, she documented elder musicians in the South and produced a documentary about Tennessee fiddler Clyde Davenport. After college, she joined the trailblazing all-women stringband Uncle Earl, touring internationally and appearing at major festivals and venues across the U.S., Europe, and Australia. She has performed and recorded with Rhiannon Giddens, Aoife O’Donovan, and Watchhouse’s Andrew Marlin, and holds a record number of ribbons from Clifftop’s Appalachian String Band Music Festival.

Since 2018, she’s performed as a duo with Brown, blending her deep experience with Brown’s fresh perspective. Together, they continue to explore the possibilities of old-time music in a duo setting—pushing each other creatively while staying connected to the heart of the tradition.

To learn more about Nora Brown, please visit norabrownmusic.com.
To learn more about Stephanie Coleman, check out stephaniecoleman.net.

Go further

Excited to learn more about Brown and Coleman? Start here.

Learn:

Folk Radio UK Full Review: Read the full review for insight into the duo’s dynamic interplay, thoughtful arrangements, and the timeless quality that makes their sound resonate.