Carrying the Welsh tradition in America
through song and story

Merched Madoc means daughters of Madoc, the 12th century
Welsh prince who is said to have found America and created a community
in harmony with those already here.  Merched Madoc consists of Beth Philips Brown, storyteller and Jodee James, singer-songwriter.  They have been working together for several years, presenting programs on various themes connecting Wales with America.  They are available for cultural events, school assemblies, residencies and other programs.

Beth Philips Brown carries her Welsh ancestors' oral tradition through two languages, English and Welsh.  She tells traditional Welsh and other Celtic stories, whether truth of white lie; mythology or history; folktale or other narrative (personal, familial and
community); riddle, proverb or ancient triad.  She aspires to the calling of cyfarwydd,
the Welsh word for traditional bard and tradition-bearer.  One of a handful of fluent Welsh speaking Welsh-American storytellers whose work represents her cultures' oral traditions authentically, she won a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Folk Arts Performing Arts Traditions fellowship in 2002.  Her work has received grants and scholarships from NWAF, WNGGA and the St. David's Society of New York.  She has been rostered as a teaching
artist since 1994 with several programs across three states.

Welsh-American singer-songwriter Jodee James sings the ancient tales and timeless
themes of love, loyalty, trial and mystery. Singing in both English and Welsh, Jodee's vocals are touching and intimate, conjuring the very essence of tradition whether of this century
or many ages before. Nobles, shepherds, lovers, birds as messengers and aspiring heroes all come to life in Jodee's music. A top Celtic artist in MP3 sales, Jodee performs solo or with
her band, having performed at concert venues, festivals, colleges and coffeehouses
 throughout the country.