Violinist, composer, songwriter, vocalist and string arranger, Susan is an original member of the celebrated musical ensemble Poi Dog Pondering (PdP), known for their elaborate live performances and lush recordings on 7 albums to date. With PdP she has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan, (including an opening slot with the Dave Matthews Band) and played many notable venues including Ravinia, Montreaux Jazz Festival, The David Letterman Show and The Tonight Show. She has authored a book about these travels that will be published in 2007.
As a violinist she has performed and recorded with John Mellencamp, Brian Wilson, Charlie Sexton, Giant Sand and Alejandro Escovedo. As a solo artist, she released two CD's and is currently finishing her third album. She has placed several original songs from these records into television and film projects.
With fellow Poi Dog member, Paul Mertens, Susan composed music for the Award winning Frontline program, The Lost Children of Rockdale County and its follow up The Merchants of Cool. Additionally, she and Paul composed music for PBS' Workplace Essential Skills and for filmmaker Brijetta Hall's, Dances on the Prairie.
Paul Mertens
Paul Mertens is a Chicago-based composer/arranger and musician. He is currently a member of Brian Wilson's touring and recording band and Chicago's own Poi Dog Pondering. Paul has written arrangements and performed for Brian Wilson's historic tour and recording of "Smile", the Pet Sounds Tour and "Gettin' In Over My Head"
Writing credits with Susan Voelz include music for the Peabody Award-winning documentary The Lost Children of Rockdale County and Merchants of Cool for Frontline, the long-running Workplace Essential Skills for PBS and Dances On the Prairie for filmmaker Brijetta Hall. Paul and his wife, Cynthia Von Orthal, have written an original puppet musical "Akuba's Dream" for their own company, Von Orthal Puppets.
Violinist, composer, songwriter, vocalist and string arranger, Susan is an original member of the celebrated musical ensemble Poi Dog Pondering (PdP), known for their elaborate live performances and lush recordings on 7 albums to date. With PdP she has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan, (including an opening slot with the Dave Matthews Band) and played many notable venues including Ravinia, Montreaux Jazz Festival, The David Letterman Show and The Tonight Show. She has authored a book about these travels that will be published in 2007.
Paul Mertens is a Chicago-based composer/arranger and musician. He is currently a member of Brian Wilson's touring and recording band and Chicago's own Poi Dog Pondering. Paul has written arrangements and performed for Brian Wilson's historic tour and recording of "Smile", the Pet Sounds Tour and "Gettin' In Over My Head"