YARD SAUCE is a Maine-based, acoustic string trio featuring Chris Moore (mandolins and vocals), Jeff Christmas (guitar and vocals) and Callie Brennan (fiddle and vocals). Their dynamic live performances draw from the group’s eclectic musical tastes, diverse regional traditional music influences, and a deep catalog of original songs. Old-time, bluegrass, country and folk traditions are all part of the mix in every live set. The trio trades off on lead vocal and harmony duties, delivering arrangements of traditional and original tunes with their distinctive, down-to-earth authenticity combined with virtuosic instrumental skills. 

CALLIE BRENNAN (fiddle and vocals) was raised in Maine, where she spent her childhood writing short stories, practicing fiddle tunes, and tracking mud all through the house. At twelve years old she began studying with Ronald Lantz, who is to thank for her constant cracking of jokes. Callie received a Bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she studied with Lina Bahn and Harumi Rhodes. In her third year she traveled abroad to Sydney, Australia, studying under the tutelage of Ole Bohn at the Sydney Conservatorium.

JEFF CHRISTMAS (guitar and vocals) began playing music when he was 6 years old. Since then he has made his way from pop guitar to musical theater to jazz bands to opera to Americana and just about everything in between. Jeff specializes in vocal instruction with experience in a wide variety of genres. He is equally at home on the operatic stage and in a smoky bar. Pedagogically, Jeff believes that no genre has a monopoly on good, healthy, artistic singing and works to nurture that in all of his students. 

CHRIS MOORE (mandolins and vocals) grew up in Maine. As a youth he studied piano with Naydene Bowder and violin with Ronald Lantz.  He graduated from Waynflete School and went on to receive his degree in acting from Skidmore College. After college, Chris moved to New York City, where he worked as a performance artist, musician, puppeteer, and on the staff of the Arts at St. Ann’s in Brooklyn. While in New York, he studied with mandolin master Andy Statman. In 1989, Chris founded the band Rust Farm with guitarist John McGann and released two albums.