Keith Torgan and Barbara Siesel are the creative duo behind Green Golly, an award-winning initiative that blends classical music, comedy, and storytelling to inspire young audiences to discover classical music, embrace creativity, and find their own artistic voices. World-class flutist Barbara Siesel and award-winning songwriter, actor, and author Keith Torgan combine their unique talents to create performances that are part fairy tale, part concert, part musical theater—and entirely wonderful. Their work engages children and families, offering not only delightful entertainment but also a creative toolbox they can carry into their own lives.
“Rarely do I see children so drawn into a performance. They were absolutely spellbound.”
Doug Poswencyk, Library Director, Watchung Public Library
Siesel, a Juilliard-trained educator and performer, and Torgan, a seasoned storytelling songwriter, met online, fell in love, and joined forces to bring classical music and musical theater to audiences across the U.S. and internationally. They have performed in schools, libraries, theaters, museums, and concert halls, making live performance accessible and meaningful for young audiences.
“In my 12+ years working with major music organizations, I have rarely seen children as attentive, engaged, and joyful as they are during The Green Golly Project.”
Luciano Pedota, Project Manager, Ravinia Festival
Before their partnership, Barbara and Keith had already built remarkable careers. Barbara performed worldwide in major concert halls, including Avery Fisher Hall and The Great Hall in St. Petersburg, and founded the Storm King Music Festival, dedicated to contemporary music. Keith, after years of composing and performing for children, took a break—only to find himself selling and writing songs about Jeeps.
Their paths crossed through a dating site, and despite initial fears, they quickly realized their artistic synergy. Inspired by Keith’s humor and Barbara’s mission to introduce children to classical music, they created Green Golly, blending music, comedy, and storytelling. Their goal was clear: to ensure that young audiences not only hear classical music but fall in love with it. By making the experience engaging, joyful, and accessible, they help children form a lasting connection to the art form. Their work now reaches thousands of children annually through performances, books, and recordings, fostering a new generation of music lovers.
“Part fabulous story, part sampling of legendary works… An unforgettable childhood experience.”
Midwest Book Review
Beyond entertainment, Green Golly integrates language, music, and imagination to give children experiences they may never have had before. They even developed an English language curriculum with an award-winning educator.
“Barbara’s amazing gold flute pushes the program into the stellar zone! Their rapport with children is remarkable.”
Carolyn Potter, Librarian, Marin County Free Library
Torgan & Siesel’s performances run approximately 45 minutes and can be done anywhere—from 1,000-seat theaters to the smallest library reading rooms. With just a flute, guitar, two voices, and no props, they bring an entire world to life.
“They raised the bar for performance in our library. I felt like I was watching a Broadway production!”
Lois Gross, Children’s Programmer, Hoboken Public Library
“Keith Torgan does an amazing job bringing characters to life” - Candid, Clever and Cost Effective.Com
Keith Torgan is an award-winning, multidisciplinary artist whose work for children blends original song, sharp-witted comedy, theatrical performance, and visual art. as a seasoned performer and writer, he has created hundreds of original songs and stories that have delighted audiences in theaters, schools, museums, and libraries across the country.
His journey into children's entertainment, however, didn't begin with a plan – it began with a revelation. while performing in Little Rock, Arkansas, at a children's concert, Keith was struck by the bland, unimaginative material being presented to kids. Turning to a friend, he said, “I can write better songs than this.” That simple statement cracked open the creative floodgates, launching a path that would become both passion and purpose.
From that moment on, Keith's work evolved with intention and heart. He discovered that performing for children demanded more than entertainment – it required honesty, emotional truth, and an ability to meet young audiences where they are. That realization reshaped his artistry and led to the birth of what would eventually become The Green Golly Project (and soon Tugboat Music).
As Luciano Pedota of the Ravinia Festival (summer home of the Chicago Symphony) shared, “it is rare to see children as attentive, engaged and joyful as I have witnessed them during many performances of Green Golly.”
Over time, Keith's performances began to set a new standard for children's programming. Lois Gross of the Hoboken Public Library noted, “I felt like I was watching a Broadway production based both on their performances and the complexity of the music and lyrics. They raised the bar for performances in our library.”
Now, with the next move into Tugboat Music, Keith continues to deepen his mission. Whether onstage, in the studio, or leading workshops, he crafts stories and songs that help children face their dragons, tell their truths, and trust their imaginations.
While best known for his work with young audiences, Keith’s recent project Echoes of Otsego reveals his wider range—combining original song, digital portraiture, and community storytelling in a cabaret-style installation that honors the lived experiences of everyday people. The project premiered in spring 2025 and will be touring soon.
Tugboat Music marks a new chapter, but the heartbeat remains the same: original music, rich storytelling, and performances that leave a lasing imprint – on children and the grown-ups lucky enough to witness them.
“Maximo would have taken Keith home with him if he could have.” Laura DeAngelis Rifikin, Library Director, Washington Twp Library
“American orchestras should take note.” – Alan Kozinn,The New York Times
Barbara Siesel is an international, multi-genre classical flutist, educator, and entrepreneur who believes in the power of music to bring people together. A Juilliard graduate, she has performed as a soloist across Europe, Asia, and the United States and regularly gives masterclasses around the world. With warmth, creativity, and deep experience, she shares music that connects across generations, genres, and cultures.
She is the co-founder of the award-winning Green Golly Project, which introduces children to classical music through storytelling, humor, and imaginative performance. Barbara is also a founding editor of The Flute View; a groundbreaking digital magazine that helps flutists navigate the evolving music landscape.
“Siesel’s musical talent is amazing.” – Solution Sleuth
Early in her career, Barbara was focused on the traditional path—concert halls, new music, and the classical repertoire she had spent years studying. But everything changed when she met Keith Torgan, an actor and musician with an incredible gift for connecting with audiences in fun, unexpected ways. Watching him perform lit a spark in her. She remembers thinking, “What if we created something that made people—of any age—fall in love with classical music in a completely new way?”
That question launched their creative partnership. Together, they began blending storytelling, humor, and classical music into performances that felt alive, accessible, and emotionally rich. That collaboration opened something up in Barbara—it gave her permission to step outside the box and reimagine what performance could be.
Since then, she has explored cabaret, theater, dance, and multimedia work, discovering that her classical training could be the foundation for something much more expansive and personally fulfilling.
And—she married Keith.
What’s Next
Barbara is curating a summer concert series at the Dunderberg Gallery in Gilbertsville, NY, which will combine classical, jazz, and folk music in an intimate, community-focused setting. She recently produced, directed, and performed in Keith Torgan’s Echoes of Otsego, a community-driven cabaret installation that premiered on April 5th, 2025, to an enthusiastic audience. The project is now preparing to launch a nationwide tour, bringing its unique blend of art, music, and storytelling to communities across the country.
“Flutist Barbara Siesel will blow you away!” – Outnumbered 3:1