The Band
The Hudson Cliffhangers band was formed in Northern Manhattan and inspired by the Cliffs along the Hudson River. It began as a acoustic rock group called the 'Rad Dads' that featured notable actor Stevie Ray Dallimore and other local musicians. With the addition of violinist Elizabeth Miller the Hudson Cliffhangers was born, blending bluegrass and Irish fiddle tunes into an eclectic folk/blues/rock repertoire. In recent years, fiddler Neal Vorus and mandolin/guitarists Russell McBride and David Haiman joined the band, adding traditional American and Irish folk ballads to the musical mix.
Elizabeth Miller
Elizabeth Miller is as comfortable on the classical stage as the rock stage. She is an active performing violinist here in New York City, from Broadway to Lincoln Center. She also runs the Hudson Heights String Academy where budding violinists and fiddlers can be educated in Northern Manhattan.
Neal Vorus
When he isn't playing fiddle, Neal Vorus is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice. He returned to his childhood instrument after a long hiatus inspired by a love of Appalachian and Irish fiddle music and the pleasure of playing violin with his son.
Russell McBride
Russell McBride is an epidemiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital. He played viola as a child and now plays mandolin and guitar for the Hudson Cliffhangers. He has two lovely children 11 years old and a year old.
David Haiman
David Haiman studied classical guitar at Oberlin Conservatory and enjoys playing many styles of guitar, from Renaissance lute music to country blues. He has taught music at PS 180 in Harlem for 15 years, where his groups include a guitar group of 4th-6th graders. David also plays in Gamelan Kusuma Laras, based at the Indonesian Consulate, performing the court music of Java. He loves playing music with his wife and two daughters.
