The Heart of a Woman

Kristin Lems writes and performs songs that have become "classics" over time, and You, Me, and All of the Above will add to that legacy. She started singing during the "folk revival" and has continued to bring her signature warmth, wit, and energy to both the stage and her 7 previous recordings.

Kristin's songs were "instant anthems" and consciousness-raisers for thousands during the 1970's and 1980's, in events for women's rights, safe energy, racial equality, and related issues. Her songs won national airplay and found their way into documentaries and songbooks. Meanwhile, Kristin performed in venues in and around the Midwest, from street corners to elegant auditoriums. She has shared the stage with many luminaries, including Captain Jacques Cousteau, Gloria Steinem, Alan Alda, and Betty Ford, and musicians including Dan Fogelberg, Peter Paul and Mary, Holly Near, Simon Townshend, and many others. Her performances are known to be energizing and witty, and her exquisite vocal interpretations along with guitar, piano, and autoharp highlight her musical talent and skills.

Kristin founded the National Women's Music Festival in 1974, while living in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and was a prime organizer for the first five years. The Festival is in its fortieth year now, and Kristin has been invited to come to it to open the 2015 Festival in Middleton, Wisconsin. Her new album, You, Me and All of the Above, will be released there.

Kristin has taught English as a Second Language in several foreign countries and has learned songs of those countries, which are part of her repertoire. In particular, teaching ESL for a year in Iran gave her the opportunity to sing in Persian and take an interest in human rights and democracy in Iran. She also sings in Spanish, French and several other languages.

Kristin also sings for children, and her first album for children, Sharing, is a family favorite. She has sung for daycare centers, preschools, and in early childhood settings, with a variety of fun, funny songs. "I sing where people are," she affirms.

Based in Chicago, Kristin sings outside the Midwest for conferences, festivals, and occasionally for individual venues.