Songwriter's Showcase

Rick Mixter

I was born and raised in New England in a musical family. Like many young people at the time, the Beatles and the folk music of the time inspired me to pick up a guitar. After college, I “lit out for the Territory” (as Huckleberry Finn says) and settled in the Bay Area. I was fortunate to find musical friends and I have played both solo and in bands ever since. I started writing songs in college and 50 years later I still see no reason to stop.

Joining Rick on stage: Lainey Saint Marie, harmonies.

Allie Schulz

Allie Schulz is a songwriter whose path has followed a long arc from Nashville to Half Moon Bay. Raised in the heart of Music City, her earliest instincts were shaped by the craft of songwriting long before she headed to New York to work in musical theater—including a stint on Broadway playing “Rizzo” in Grease.

Eventually, the pull of writing her own music led her to California. Over the years, she’s released three solo records, both under her maiden name and the moniker LAE. These days, her creative life is a collaborative one; she and her husband, Alex Pasternak, write and perform together as Florecer, a project that pairs Allie’s lyrics with Alex’s production.

Teaching is just as much a part of her practice as performing. For the last four summers, Allie has been the lead instructor for UCLA’s Summer Songwriting Intensive, and during the school year, she works with local students at El Granada and Farallone View Elementary, teaching music, acting and dance. For Allie, music is a constant thread—one she’s grateful to keep weaving while raising her two young daughters, Cecilia and Esme, on the coast.

Judi Engel

In 1972, Judi started writing songs as an elementary school teacher in the Pacifica school district. Since then, she has written songs about philosophy, activism, the Coastside environment, ancestors, personal and general love stories, and children’s songs. She is no stranger to Cameron’s open mic, Coastside Farmers Market, and busking in San Benito House patio. Her current favorite originals are about the history of the HMB Odd Fellow Lodge. She has produced three albums and is working on her fourth entitled ‘Coastal Waters Run Deep.’

Joining Judi for various songs: Greg Baurmann on autoharp, Kathy Shields sings harmony, Lily Godsoe on flute, Abraham Engel on piano and Dave Kaufman on mandolin.

Dirk Sell

Dirk Sell is a Coastside singer songwriter. Born in New York 10 months after the summer of love, Dirk travelled the world before landing in Montara in 1995 where he worked at Coastside farms and raised two wonderful girls, Cypress and Hawthorn. Retired from farming in 2020, Dirk has focused on writing lyric-based songs which detail scenes, characters and stories across a variety of genres. Dirk released his first self-titled album in 2025 which can be found on Spotify, YouTube and most other streaming services. You can follow Dirk on Instagram for performance dates and new releases.

Joining Dirk on stage: Marie Hillman with vocals and Paul Eastburn on violin.