Bio

Rare is the musical work that touches the listener so deeply that it’s felt to the marrow. Such is the craft
of impassioned pianist John Hodian and golden vocalist Bet Williams of Epiphany Project.
–WOODSTOCK TIMES

Bet Williams and John Hodian have been performing and recording as Epiphany Project since 1992, creating music that the Washington Post calls “a unique hybrid of world music, art song, Americana and avant-garde folk; utterly uncategorizeable but always transcendently beautiful.”

A fearless vocalist with a stunning four-octave voice, Bet Williams has mesmerized audiences across America and Europe with what Sing Out! magazine calls “the sheer beauty of her instrument and the passion with which she sings.”

John Hodian’s free-flowing piano playing has been called “impassioned and evocative” by the Philadelphia Inquirer and "pure genius!" by Applause magazine. An intense performer and NY Emmy Award winning composer, Hodian’s intricate rhythms and haunting melodies reflect both his Armenian heritage and his formal classical training, as well as his years as a jazz improviser.

Epiphany’s live show features John and Bet with an ever-changing ensemble of musicians from all over the world. At times achingly lyrical, other times intensely energetic, no two shows are alike as the improvisational interplay between musicians transforms the songs night after night.

John Hodian – piano

“In one word? His music is astounding. Beautiful. Haunting. Intelligent. Complex. Sad. Wild. Exuberant.” — The Washington Post

John Hodian is a composer, conductor and pianist who has worked in a wide variety of idioms -- from classical to jazz, rock to rap, and traditional to avant-garde theater. Hodian's music conveys emotions ranging from profound melancholy to bold exuberance. His hauntingly beautiful melodies, intricate rhythms and soulful intensity reflect both his Armenian roots and his formal classical training, as well as his years spent as a cutting edge jazz improvisor.

Born in Philadelphia, John began formal studies in piano and composition at age 13. His voracious appetite for books, led to the discovery of a collection scores and recordings at his local library, which soon became his home away from home.  Hodian commandeered the family piano and began writing what would later become the distinct rhythmic and melodic style that has been heard in his Emmy award winning music around the world.

He received his Bachelors and Masters degree in composition and conducting at The Philadelphia College for the Performing Arts where he studied with Max Rudolf, Theodore Antoniou, Robert Morris, Joseph Castaldo and Andrew Rudin. John also spent several summers at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado where he studied piano and improvisation with Art Lande, Ralph Towner as well as literature and poetry with Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs.

Bet Williams – vocals

As anyone who has seen her live can attest, Bet Williams is a fearless vocalist and performer. Her four-octave-range voice has mesmerized audiences across America and Europe astounding them with what SING OUT! Magazine calls "the sheer beauty of her instrument and the passion with which she sings.” Armed with raw emotion, an acoustic guitar and a startling honesty, Williams' music blends earthy folk, rock, pop and roots rhythms with smart lyrics and infectious hooks. With a gift for storytelling and spontaneous humor, her stage performances go from searching confessional to Chaplinesque pantomime at times bordering on performance art.

As an army brat, Bet was born in Virginia and raised in Germany and throughout the United States. She grew up with a heady brew of music, theater, travel and academia. Her mother was a piano teacher and organist while her father was a military judge advocate and university professor who directed musicals on the side!

After high school Bet studied classical music, voice and theater at college before settling on an English Literature major. She grabbed a poetry degree at Penn State, and began performing in a series of wildly original bands such as “Ticapoo Brain”, “The Shaggy Dogs” and “Righteous Ethel”. After various band incarnations fell apart, Bet went off to live and work on an organic farm and began to re-invent herself and her music. What emerged was a more mature and introspective songwriter and performer.   With a disdain for conventional music industry shenanigans, Bet shunned “the business” and focused on performing and writing while developing her passionately committed cult following.

www.booking.epiphanyrecords.com

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