WPR Music recently inquired about the music preferences of their hosts during their leisure time. Stephanie Elkins, the host of “Morning Classics,” shared her affinity for both listening to and playing folk music.
During my father’s deployment in Vietnam, our family spent a year in Honolulu, Hawaii. My mother, a dedicated music teacher, secured a teaching position at Lanikai Elementary School, where my siblings and I were enrolled.
At just 9 years old, I was a shy sixth grader. However, my introduction to folk music marked a turning point, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
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Our teacher, Mr. Corrigan, provided complimentary guitar lessons after school. We explored a range of music, including old labor songs, Vietnam War protest songs like “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” and “Blowin’ in the Wind,” as well as traditional American folk tunes. We learned to sing and play together, strengthening our bond as a group.
This musical journey was a comforting escape for a young girl in a new environment, anxious about her father. Music became a conduit for connection, making me feel included and uplifted.
Though I didn’t grasp the full depth of the lyrics until later, my passion for folk music was ignited. From that point forward, I immersed myself in folk music, singing and playing it everywhere — during car rides across the Pali mountain pass, in our shared bedroom, and harmonizing with my siblings. Folk music emerged as a way to forge connections and build a sense of community.
At WPR, I enjoyed hosting “Simply Folk” for six years, which allowed me to engage with the vibrant folk, Americana, and bluegrass scenes. While I’ve discovered numerous new favorites, when I pick up my guitar at home, I often find myself returning to “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” by Peter, Paul and Mary.
