Sue Boucher

Sue’s music journey began as a child. “Growing up our family had a play-by-number organ. My sister and I would make up songs and had some favorites like “Beautiful Brown Eyes”. Several years passed before Sue would once again enjoy performing music. “I started attending bluegrass jams with my boyfriend and I loved the camaraderie and how much fun everyone was having!” says Sue. She decided she wanted to be part of the fun, so began to learn the guitar. “At first I could only play a few chords, but I kept working at it”. Soon Sue added singing to her jam songs and she said “everyone was so supportive at the jams”.  Little did she know what a hit her singing would have on the musicians and guests! “When I started singing I was totally surprised by people's reactions. I started noticing people using their phones to record my jam songs, and people peering into our playing area when I was singing.” Sue said she never recorded herself, so didn’t really know how good she sounded! 

Sue has attended several hundred jams and music festivals.  In July 2024 when Virginia asked her to join a band Sue thought “this is the perfect time for me!”. Sue says “being part of a band we can make a song our own, we can perfect it, we can create our own songs, I want to be able to do that”. 

Guitar, Vocals

Doris grew up playing the piano and singing in concert choirs, madrigal groups, school theatre productions, and the All-County choir in New Jersey. She sings both lead and harmony. As a mezzo soprano she has had a lot of opportunity singing harmony, which is her first love. But Doris really wanted to play the violin and eventually pursued that dream in 2018.

Her background as a psychotherapist, performance coach and competitive equestrian helped her make that transition and stick to the process of learning the fiddle as an adult. “It’s been worth it! It has opened many doors to meeting great teachers and fellow musicians and to making music regularly” says Doris. She could also be caught playing Irish tunes to her Irish bred Sport Horse. Doris says “One of the greatest benefits of my musical journey has been the opportunity to become a member of the all-women’s band, Sweet Sophia”.

Jennifer started playing the cello at the age of 8 and was convinced then that music was her future! After graduating with a degree in music, Jennifer began teaching orchestra in elementary schools in Utah and Idaho, where her 4 children were born.  Jennifer began fiddling in 2017 and is the music director of the Old Fiddler’s Club of Rhode Island.  Jennifer teaches cello, violin, viola, and other instruments at Waldron's Studio 88 in Mansfield, CT.  She enjoys making music with everyone, including her children and her husband, Jesse.  In addition to making music, Jennifer enjoys homesteading, sewing, theater, and board games. “Playing with Sweet Sophia fulfils my dream of playing in a bluegrass band.”

Sweet Sophia founder, Virginia Champagne thanks family and the Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance (RIBA)

“I grew up surrounded by musicians. Grandma playing piano, dad in a jazz band and brothers in rock bands, it was inevitable that I would be influenced by my family”. Trying a variety of instruments, “guitar, and harmonica kept calling, they were easy to pick up and play and join other musicians”. Recent changes at her farm  “gave me the opportunity to spend more time playing music, so I started attending local RIBA jams”.     

When Virginia started thinking about a band “it was going to be a women’s bluegrass band, they are few and far between”.  Sweet Sophia came together in July 2024 when she hosted a women’s jam at her farm.  Two singers, Fiddle player Doris and fellow Guitarist Sue said, “count us in”. “We started playing together right away and were fortunate to have temporary bass player John C join us until we found our permanent bass player Jennifer”. Bassist, Cellist and Bouzouki player Jennifer completed the group in the fall. Virginia says “I feel so fortunate to be joined by such talented musicians! We all love playing music together and are ready to start gigging!”. Sweet Sophia plays a variety of music from sweet ballads, classic and contemporary bluegrass to gritty blues.