More than a children’s album, Garden is a soulful celebration of life’s cycles—growth, harvest, rest, and renewal—mirroring the rhythms of both nature and childhood. Each song becomes a portal for learning and reflection: “Grow” honors the patience and care required for seeds (and children) to thrive, “Sunflower Sky” embraces diversity and friendship, “Give” highlights generosity through the metaphor of a bountiful harvest, and “Winter Garden” reminds us of the importance of rest before new beginnings. The album culminates in “Dig It,” a gospel-jazz anthem that invites listeners of all ages to dive in, get their hands dirty, and live with joy and curiosity.

The album’s lush soundscape reflects the combined artistry of its diverse ensemble. If Owen’s songs form the “soil,” then Ashley Hoyer’s arrangements and the contributions of Jade Hendrix, Samantha Harvey, William Coulter, and Edwin Huizinga are the “sun and water” that bring this garden to life. Together, the musicians draw on their backgrounds in folk, jazz, Celtic, baroque, and contemporary traditions to create a body of work that feels both timeless and fresh—an intergenerational invitation to wonder.

With Garden, Musica Sierra reaffirms its mission to make world-class music accessible while cultivating environmental stewardship in the next generation. It is an album born of community, collaboration, and care—music that resonates as much in classrooms as it does on festival stages. By weaving education, artistry, and place-based storytelling into one immersive offering, Garden invites families everywhere to slow down, listen, and grow together.

ABOUT THE ALBUM

MEET THE MUSICIANS

FIRE & GRACE

Fire & Grace is an eclectic collaboration between guitarist William Coulter and violinist Edwin Huizinga. This unique duo explores the connective musical elements of classical, folk, and contemporary traditions from around the world. Fire & Grace’s repertoire is vast, ranging from Bach to Vivaldi, tango to Celtic tunes, traditional Bulgarian to American fiddle tunes and waltzes, all played with a sense of discovery and commitment to the elements of passion and virtuosity — fire and grace — found in these diverse traditions. Recent and upcoming performances have included engagements at the Carmel Bach Festival, the Mozaic Festival, the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival, the Electric Earth Concerts, the Monterey Museum of Art, and with Tomaseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas. In March and April 2017, Fire & Grace toured to New Zealand with appearances at the UPSURGE Festival, the Festival of Colour, and the New Zealand School of Music. The group’s self-titled debut album combines melodies from Argentina, Bulgaria, and Western Europe with dance elements from baroque and folk musical traditions.

NIGHTBIRDS

United originally by their California roots and love for folk music, Nightbirds emerged out of the shared experience of newfound motherhood. Each member recognized their precious free moments after the little ones were put to bed when creative musings could finally be explored. The powerful new chapters in their lives called for a deeper well of expression. The band’s collective sound is poignant, yet it evokes a sense of innocence, a quality inspired by the presence of their children.

Jade Hendrix brings her soulful vocals and insightful songwriting to the ensemble. Instrumentalists Sam ‘n Ash (an established folk duo comprising of accordion and mandolin) complement Jade’s crooning with their inventive melodies and effective arrangements. The trio fuses classic folk themes with expressive vocals, resulting in a unique and compelling blend that can only be described as a sound all their own.