Harpist Martha Gay, native of Houston Texas, studied archaeology at Oxford University before going fulltime into performing. She founded an ensemble in 1979 for Texas Renaissance Festival and hired Bob Bielefeld the following year; they settled on the name "Cantiga" for the group. Photo: Andrew Lesny, 2026

The versatile and highly skilled Alex Korolov is a second-generation gambist and a graduate of the early music program at Indiana University. He has performed with Cantiga for decades and is recorded on several Cantiga albums. Photo: Andrew Lesny, 2026

Based in New Orleans, the incomparable Dr. Sick is a dynamic frontman, improvising violinist, bandleader, and the music director of Squirrel Nut Zippers. He has performed and recorded extensively with Cantiga, most recently appearing with us at the 2026 Texas Renaissance Festival.

Thomas has played live with Cantiga extensively and toured for many years with the hit juggling act The Flaming Idiots.

Cellist Luke Lee, from a family of musicians, holds a Bachelor of Music in cello and has played with Cantiga at multiple festivals since 2023.

Dan plays with Cantiga and other ensembles at the Sterling Renaissance Faire and Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, among others. Dan is a notable ultramarathon runner.

Elisabeth Ellison is an award-winning double bassist and early-music professional who has been playing with Cantiga since 2018, principally on shows in Texas. See Elisabeth's site for more info.