Musicians of Rochester: Mitzie Collins

Mitzie Collins might be excused for resting on her laurels. She's not. For her contributions Rochester's musical life, she earned the 2007 Artist Award from the Arts and Cultural Council of Greater Rochester, and she was honored as 2014 Musician of the Year by the Rochester Alumnae of the Mu Phi Epsilon Music Fraternity. Hammered dulcimer expert. Shape-note singer. Organist. Recording artist. For decades Mitzie has performed, taught, and delighted audiences in a wide range of musical styles. In some ways, she says, she's enjoying the fruits of her labor. Many, many years ago (like 47 years ago) I was one of the Founding Mothers and Parents of the Golden Link Folk Singing Society. Now I make a point of getting to many of those Tuesday night sing-arounds. The Founding Parents didn't run it for the last 47 years, so we have somthing that's viable that other people take part in, and I'm really proud of that. Now I want to take advantage of the music-making that's in Rochester. Occasionally