Judy Collins

As a child, she studied classical piano with Antonia Brico, before switching to Folk guitar at the age of 16.

She was born in Seattle, Washington. She began as a classical pianist, with her first performance at the age of 13. Soon after that, however, she discovered the work of Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and other Folk singers, and fell in love with traditional and contemporary topical music.

When she was 22, she released her debut album A Maid of Constant Sorrow. She later became involved in the Civil Rights movement and the struggle for peace during the Vietnam War.