Nancy Spencer is a gifted musical performer and teacher who has graced the Rogue Valley music scene since 1985. Skilled and interested in both classical and folk music, Nancy teaches all levels of both the flute and recorder (both C and F), autoharp, musical saw, and pennywhistle. She also plays ethnic flutes from around the world. Flute students usually begin with the Rubank method of instruction and then are introduced to classical music with an emphasis on the baroque period. Pennywhistle students focus on Celtic music, and recorder students are often coached in ensembles. Nancy is a very patient teacher and believes in pursuing individualized courses of study. Lessons are usually once a week for 45 minutes to an hour.

Nancy enjoys giving school demonstrations on saw-playing where she performs on the unusual instrument, answers questions, and perhaps has someone in the audience try playing the instrument. Performance techniques are explained and a bit of the history of the saw as an instrument is offered. Nancy was inspired to learn the art of playing this instrument in 1945 when she watched a man playing the saw in her neighborhood in Wisconsin. She was captivated by the ethereal, haunting sound emitted by this unlikely instrument which reminded her of the sound of the theremin, another unusual instrument, that she had heard in concert. She took up playing the saw herself and the rest is her own history.

Nancy is always available for concerts and workshops arranged for groups interested in contemporary and traditional folk music. She often appears in concert with her daughter Lisa, a well-known folk guitarist and singer, as well as with Bo Leyden and Rick Meyers, multi-folk instrumentalists. Saw music includes many folk tunes and some classical music such as operatic arias. Some favorites tunes are Wayfarin' Stranger, Summertime, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Nancy was a co-founder of the Folk Music Club here in the Rogue Valley and has been a frequent performer at folk festivals throughout the U.S. She also has been heard on Jefferson and National Public Radio, notably on A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor from St. Paul, Minnesota.