Connecticut’s State Troubadour is an ambassador of music and song and promotes cultural literacy. They know about our state’s cultures, history, arts, and stories. They are important champions of the art form in their community and work to inspire the next generation of singers and songwriters. They

Help residents across the state appreciate singing and songwriting.
Encourage people to participate in music activities.

Austin Scelzo is honored to have been nominated in 2025 for the role of CT State Troubadour and would like to share his reasons for applying:

Describe what you hope to achieve with your performances and engagements as the CT State Troubadour.

"My plans for service as CT State Troubadour focus around my strength as a teaching artist, community leader, and public advocate for creativity in the arts. As a songwriter, improviser, and culture bearer of the underrepresented all American tradition of bluegrass music, I hope to expand my dedication to community building and creative advocacy in the CT public school systems. Through personal connections and a trusted background in education, I’ve been able to teach all ages and ability levels to sing together in harmony. I have just begun working with the Norwalk International Cultural Exchange whose mission is to “unify, engage, inspire, and encourage the various groups that make up our society to learn about each other’s traditions and customs in order to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of what each group brings to our community”. Service as a State Troubadour would allow me to further expand the educational and community building opportunities that I offer in this collaboration. Rather than draw attention to my own work, I hope to serve as a creative leader who inspires by example and through public mentorship. I’ll continue to bring Bluegrass Music to the public schools, encouraging lifelong participation in music, a central focus of my public teaching philosophy. I will use the resources and expanded visibility to draw attention to the many communally focused arts organizations that are already doing amazing work in Connecticut, such as Spread Music Now, the Granite, Jubilee Farms Music, NICE, the Be Foundation and CMEA."

Describe why you would like to serve as the CT State Troubadour and why now is the right time for you

"In 1994, renowned bluegrass and folk musician Phil Rosenthal served as Connecticut State Troubadour. In addition to forming the well known bluegrass ensemble “The Seldom Scene” which bridged the bluegrass/folk gap by collaborating with folk rock singer Jonathan Edwards, Rosenthal also created American Melody Records, a label specializing in traditional folk music for children. Over 30 years later, I am applying as the founder and president of the Connecticut Bluegrass Association, requesting the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and serve as an ambassador of bluegrass and folk music performance and education. As stated in my CT Arts Hero interview, my dedication to Connecticut has remained unwavering.

As a trained educator who served in the Darien Public schools, I visit schools throughout New England as a clinician through the support of the International Bluegrass Music Association, Norwalk International Cultural Exchange organization, the National Association for Music Educators, and the American Choral Directors Association. I teach people of all ages to develop creative skills through collaboration with Creative Strings, a non-profit organization “dedicated to the expansion and improvement of music education by training students to expand their skills as creative musicians”. I also teach and bring people of all ages and ability levels together in my community bluegrass jams, and Wernick Method Bluegrass Jamming classes. Between the trust, momentum, and visibility offered through the CT Arts Hero Award and my growing plans to collaborate with CT organizations, now is the perfect time to serve as the CT State Troubadour."

Describe what you would like to accomplish during your three year term.

"As a lifelong CT resident, I was awarded the CT Arts Hero award because of my dedication to the Connecticut community. This recognition and trust has opened doors for me to work with organizations like Spread Music Now, which “supports music education, creative youth development, and artistic performance to promote educational, career, and life success”. I will continue to work with Spread Music Now, and its sister organization The Granite, (a non-profit community event space) to build more educational opportunities like my harmony singing classes, folk dances, jams, concerts, and open mics.

I’m also just beginning my work with Jubilee Music Farm, a “gathering place for musicians to jam and perform, and for listeners to enjoy an intimate performance setting.” Along with the founders of the organization, I plan to help them establish non-profit status so that they can expand their offerings of education, hospitality, and community building in Newtown CT. We plan to refurbish a barn to host dances, classes, showcases, and house concerts as well as establish a festival each year on the property. The organizers need my support. By the end of this three year time, I will help them bring this vision to fruition. Practically, three years of service could amount to a one day bluegrass festival, a new non-profit in the form of Jubilee Music Farm, and a number of public and private school clinics on creative expression, singing in harmony, and improvisation. "

Austin Scelzo - Songwriter Original Compositions

Upload the lyrics to at least one song provided in your submission.

https://www.austinscelzo.com/new-single (Lyrics at bottom of page)

Summarize the work samples you provided and why you selected them for this application

"Traditionally, CT State Troubadours have emerged from the folk tradition. These songs honor that tradition by using real acoustic instruments and by telling heartfelt, relatable stories. Two of the songs were recorded and engineered in CT at Ace Tone Productions, which has supported many local CT songwriters. In the spirit of 1994 State Troubadour Phil Rosenthal, these selections both honor the bluegrass tradition while also expanding it, drawing on more accessible influences such as pop, country, and americana.

Second Fiddle Blues is a heart wrenching, classic melodrama that fits perfectly in the canon of great country music. The authenticity and relatable nature of the story is a perfect example of how music and lyricism tugs at our heartstrings in that mysterious yet addicting way. “Where Do We Go From Here” has a double meaning- it could be pointing to a romantic crossroads- but it also begs the question “What’s Next?” - a perfect allegory for a State Troubadour’s mission. “Trouble in My Soul” highlights the struggle between knowing what is right and choosing it. It is a relatable struggle we all must face with courage and discipline in order to remain a force of good in the world."