Bluegrass at The Little Nell? Oh yes my friends! We’re getting ready for a pickin’ party in the Terrace Bar on Sunday night (following Iron Bartender) from 6:45 to 7:45 with Bella Betts.
Bella is an 11-year-old bluegrass musician who rocks the mandolin, guitar and fiddle… and she sings! She’ll be accompanied by local music legend Sandy Munro on Sunday, March 4. Admission is free.
The name may sound familiar to Little Nell regulars — Bella’s dad is master sommelier and former Little Nell wine director, Richard Betts.
Based in Boulder, Bella started playing the guitar at age 5… inspired by Maria in the Sound of Music. She first discovered bluegrass music at the famed Rockygrass Academy in 2008 where she has since had the opportunity to learn from and play with amazing musicians. In 2010, she played a short set with Bryn Davies on the main stage at the Rockygrass Festival.
In 2011, she took the stage with Sarah Jarosz. Bella is also inspired by great musicians like Chris Thile and the Punch Brothers (check out a video of her with the mandolin legend in Telluride last summer here).
Bella is involved in the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society through work in their Educational Outreach Program. She has a great love of animals and volunteers weekly at a vet clinic. She also plays regularly with her mom at an Assisted Living Center in Boulder.
How does she have time for all of this you ask at the age of 11? She’s home-schooled, and according to her mom, she’s following her curiosity, interests and dreams in the school of life-long learning. Lucky for us she’s skiing in Aspen this weekend and willing to share her talents with us here at the hotel. Hope to see you there!
