Brief Bio
Sandy Pliskin has been a member of PMN since the mid 1980's, and an appreciator of the power of music to support movements for progressive change since the days of the Freedom Singers and Phil Ochs.
His musicianship includes: playing five-string banjo, ukulele, banjolele, fiddle, and Appalachian dulcimer, and; singing (tenor range) and; writing and/or performing topical and humorous songs, children's music, fiddle tunes and traditional music (including celtic, old-timey, klezmer, and ragtime/jug band/tin-pan alley). Sandy was a member, along with the late Bob Blue, of the Nice Jewish Boys, the contra-dance band "Open to Suggestion", Boston's "A Besere Velt" Yiddish chorus, RI Raging Grannies, and The Extraordinary Rendition Band. Some of his music can be found at sandypliskin.bandcamp.com or at youtube.com/channel/UCqNzUisyH9Fs51LSvgRyE5w .
Most of Sandy's professional career has been focused on work with young children and those who care for them. Sandy has taught in daycare and preschool settings, as well as at colleges throughout southern New England. He has also served as a therapist at early intervention programs and community mental health centers. Sandy is also a licensed mental health counselor. He currently works remotely, as an Early Childhood Inclusion and Social/Emotional Learning coach for Virginia childcare workers (through the University of Virginia).
In addition, Sandy has served as a PMN steering committee member, a Children's Music Network (CMN) regional rep, a community organizer around the civil rights of people with disabilities, and a founding member of organizations including a daycare workers' union, CMN, and a human service workers' advocacy group. He is a life-long non-violent activist for movements and electoral candidates working for justice, peace, and environmental sanity.
These days Sandy lives in Cranston, Rhode Island, just south of Providence, with his wife Lucia Watson (and two very friendly cats). He'd love to have: more opportunities to spread his songs so others will sing them; collaborators to write and perform with; help in creating a quality recording of his work, and; a fair, non-violent and environmentally safe planet.
