Judy Insley is a writer and performer of songs about personal growth, social justice, environmentalism, and our universal connection to everything around us. The release of her CD, “Leaving Home” resulted in two 2008 Detroit Music Awards nominations for: ”Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Recording” and “Outstanding Acoustic/ Folk Songwriter.” She also finished among the top 30 finalists (out of over 600 entries) in the 2008 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest and received "honorable mention" in 2009. Her voice is comfortable, instinctive, and uniquely emotive while her skillful guitar and mandolin playing provide a strong foundation for heartfelt lyrics and flowing melodies.

Currently, Judy can be found performing at various local acoustic music venues as a soloist or as half of a duo with accomplished musician Floyd Raeon (guitar, banjo, vocals).  She is also a member of Southeast Michigan’s Songwriters Anonymous collective.  In addition to songwriting and performing, Judy also teaches acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo and ukulele.

 

A Sampling of Michigan Venues/Appearances:

  • ACLU Awards Dinner - Flint
  • "Arts In Motion" - Grand Rapids
  • "Dancing in the Streeets" Festival - Ann Arbor
  • Farmfest Folk Festival - Johannesburg
  • Flint Folk Music Society - Flint
  • Global Renaissance Alliance Michigan Conference - Southfield
  • Huron Valley Council for the Arts - Highland
  • "Live! From the Living Room" at the Oakland Arts Center - Pontiac
  • Meadowbrook Congregational Church - Novi
  • NorEast'r Folk Festival - Mio
  • Paint Creek Comfy Concerts - Rochester Hills
  • Sierra Club "Earth Day" Celebration - Troy
  • "Songs of the Earth" Detroit Audubon Concert - Southgate
  • Sweetgrass Concert Series - Davisburg
  • Trinity House - Livonia
  • White Crow Conservatory of Music - Saginaw
  • Peace Unity Church - Clarkston
  • Unity Church of Flint - Flint
  • Unity of Greater Lansing - Lansing
  • "Harmony In The Hills" - St Paul's United Methodist Church - Rochester
Shared a Stage With:
  • Barbara Payton
  • Jere Stormer
  • John D. Lamb
  • Jim Bizer
  • Jill Jack
  • Motor City Side Strokers
Opened For:
  • Mad Agnes
  • Lucie Blue Tremblay
  • Annie and Rod Capps
  • Dan Hazlett
Recordings:
  • "Leaving Home" - 2007
  • "Satyagraha" Limited Edition CD Single - 2003
  • "Candles in the Dark" with Rhonda Morgan - 1993
Television Appearances:
  • "Songwriters at Oz's Music"
Radio Features:
  • "Local Folks" on WXOU, Oakland University
  • "Folk It!" on Ann Arbor Alive (A3) Radio - PodCast
  • "Woody's Children" Program, WFUV Public Radio, Fordham University, New York City
Education:
  • Graduate of the Recording Institute of Detroit
  • Master of Science Degree in Business Administration - Central Michigan University