Our Team

Music Maker meets the day-to-day needs of the artists who create traditional American music, ensures their voices are heard, and gives all people access to our nation’s hidden musical treasures

Every day, these folks tend the roots of American music.

  • Timothy Duffy
    Co-Founder and Executive Director
    Tim has been recording and documenting artists since the early age of 16, when he became interested in ethnomusicology. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Friends World College and a master’s from the Curriculum in Folklore at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Tim and his wife Denise founded Music Maker in 1994 to assist traditional musicians in need. Tim works very closely with partner artists on a daily basis while also overseeing program operations. For his work with Music Maker, Tim was recognized by ABC Evening News as the “Person of the Week” in April 2004 and was voted Living Blues Producer of the Year in 1999. Tim has also received honors from National Resophonic Guitars and the North Carolina Folklore Society. Since Music Maker’s founding, he has produced more than 151 albums, produced two films, and has presented dozens of traditional Southern musicians at prestigious venues around the world.
  • Denise Duffy
    Co-Founder and Managing Director
    Denise has a bachelor’s degree from Hampshire College and joined husband Tim in managing Music Maker after leaving a successful career in the fashion industry. Denise’s business experience is invaluable to Music Maker, as she wears many hats within the organization: She is responsible for operations, financial management, government compliance and strategic planning. Denise finds bringing people of diverse backgrounds together in musical celebration the most rewarding aspect of her work at Music Maker. She finds inspiration in these bold senior artists launching new careers and blazing new trails around the globe. She and Tim have two children.
  • Taylor Kennedy
    Program Coordinator
    Taylor has a bachelor's in Fine Arts from Appalachian State University and is a working artist herself. During her time there she was able to see what it takes to put on exhibitions and live music performances alongside the artists. She joined Music Maker to further her knowledge of arts management within a non-profit organization setting, and helps to facilitate communications and promotions between Music Maker and their supporters in person and through mail.
  • Sam Horn
    Community Coordinator
    Sam holds an M.A. in Musicology from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a B.A. in Music from Macalester College (St. Paul, MN), with additional study at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. While her performance background is in classical music, American folk music holds a special place in her heart; she researched Finnish-American music and dance as an undergrad, and wrote her M.A. thesis on folksong collector Sidney Robertson Cowell. Sam fell in love with nonprofit communications and fundraising while working at a wildlife center in Durham, NC, and is excited to bring these skills to her role at Music Maker. When she isn't at the office, you can find her playing and teaching the harp, volunteering with rehabilitated birds of prey, fixing up her 1960s ranch house, and hanging out with her rescue cat, Kissa.
  • Lucas Duffy
    Artist Services Coordinator
    Lucas brings a unique blend of experience to his role at Music Maker. Growing up as the son of Tim and Denise Duffy, his upbringing was deeply shaped by Music Maker artists like Captain Luke and Precious Bryant, who he came to see as extended family. This upbringing instilled in him a deep appreciation for diverse life stories. Lucas comes to our team with a background in senior care and software engineering, giving him a distinct perspective on compassion, problem-solving, and efficient support systems.
Want to know more about the people and organizations we depend on?
Read about Our Boards & Partners
The People and Organizations Music Maker Relies On Our Boards and Partners

The Music Maker Foundation relies on its board of directors, board of advisors and partner organizations as we tend the roots of American music.

“Music Maker’s work smooths the rocky paths for musicians so they may thrive and create. By doing so, we support the continued existence of their music for future generations to enjoy.” Rick Teller, former Board of Directors member, Music Maker Foundation

Two Boards Support Our Work

The Music Maker Foundation is governed by a board of directors and an advisory board. Members of these two boards bring us a wide range of expertise — the music industry, marketing, finance, human resources, nonprofit program management, and more.

Our Board of Directors

Timothy Duffy, President

Henry Slyker, Treasurer

Saramel Evans, Secretary

Denise Duffy, Chief Financial Officer

Dom Flemons

David A. Jones, Jr.

Tom Wallack

Louis Mintz

Michael Stallings

“Every minute I invest on the board supports a direct line of assistance to a talented community of seminal American music artists. MM's support keeps their music and their legacies alive.” Carey Barnes, former Board of Directors member, Music Maker Foundation
Our Advisory Board

Dan Auerbach

Elvin Bishop

Bonnie Raitt

Jackson Browne

Phil Cooke

Jerry Harrison

Jimmy Herring

Taj Mahal

Tift Merritt

Pura Fé

John Price

Tom Rankin

Ken Shepherd

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Derek Trucks

Susan Tedeschi

Pete Townshend

Don Was

In Memory: Board Members Emeritus

B.B. King (1925-2015)

Levon Helm (1940-2012)

Bill Krasilovsky (1926-2018)

Dickey Betts (1943-2024)

Our Partners

Music Maker gratefully acknowledges the many organizations that help us advance our mission.

Top