Dubbed a "stunning vocalist" by the Old Time Herald, Barbara Silverman has performed in concerts, festivals and workshops nationwide. She is known for her engaging presence, bluesy vocals, clever original numbers, solid swing guitar and piano accompaniment, and amazing washboard pyrotechnics. And she is recognized as a "master teacher."

Performing solo or with the renowned Laketown Buskers jug band, she has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, the Studs Terkel Show, award winning bands in West Virginia and Colorado, and festivals throughout the Midwest. She has shared stages with Emmy Lou Harris, Bill Monroe, Odetta, Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Greg Brown, David Bromberg, Buffy St. Marie and more, and has six recordings available on Vetco, Marimac and independent labels. These include Carry Me Home, Dance Around in Your Bones, Rolling Along, Live From Big Bay, Live on Radio. She is also a founding member of The Teflons, a string band quintet that has taken the Midwest by storm.

Barbara has been in arts education for twenty-five years, including classes and workshops for Indiana University Northwest, Urban Gateways, the Discovery Center, North Park Elementary School, and regional music festivals. She is on staff in four departments at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where she also piloted a successful program series for elders.

In addition, Barbara directs a troupe in Life-Story Theatre, now in its twentieth year. She has presented at national and regional conferences for the American Society on Aging, universities, and health and wellness institutions.