Harney County’s music enthusiasts are in for a treat, as two acts will soon be arriving to entertain audiences.

Northwest pianist and composer John Nilsen will be tickling the ivories Saturday, June 11, at 7 p.m. at Pioneer Presbyterian Church, 417 W. Washington St. in Burns.

Born in Seattle, Wash. in 1956, Nilsen moved with his family to Portland in 1960. He began studying classical piano from his mother at the age of 6 and started playing guitar at age 14.

He relocated to Ashland in 1974 to attend Southern Oregon College (Southern Oregon University), graduating with a bachelor of arts in English in 1979. In 1995, his alma mater honored him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Nilsen’s recording career began in 1983 when Sea of Inspiration, a collection of original piano solos, was released on Eagle Records in Los Angeles, Calif. He went on to record three solo piano projects on Eagle before leaving to found the Magic Wing recording label.

To date, Magic Wing has released 15 CDs, all of them being Nilsen releases (except the collection of piano solos titled Remembering by his brother-in-law, Dirk Damonte). The Magic Wing label has sold a million CDs worldwide.

Nilsen’s distinct piano sound combines elements of folk, jazz and classical music. He has performed in all 50 states and in the U.K.

The Chamber Music Society of Harney County will be hosting Nilsen’s upcoming concert in Burns.

Tickets are available at Gourmet & Gadgets, the Harney County Chamber of Commerce, and at the door.

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Described as warmhearted, personable and fun, Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising, an award-winning bluegrass band, is set to take the stage Wednesday, June 15, at 7 p.m. at the Harney County Church of the Nazarene, 311 Roe Davis Ave. in Hines.

The four-piece ensemble — which consists of Kathy Boyd, Tim Crosby, Tom Tower and Dennis Nelson — will feature  music and stories from their 11 years together, as well as songs from their upcoming release, 40 Years of Lonesome.

In addition to bringing the bass beat, it’s been said that Boyd supplies the band’s “sparkle” with her classy, yet high-energy entertainment style. In fact, she’s been referred to as “a 10-gallon soul in a half-pint body.”

Crosby is a multitalented songwriter and musician, who’s adept at playing fiddle, mandolin and guitar. His songwriting skills have been likened to those of Waylon Jennings, Woodie Guthrie, and “The Boss” Bruce Springsteen.

A master storyteller, Tower is a banjo and Dobro player known for his fun, whimsical style. He won the 2010 International City Love Music competition, and has been heralded as “the favorite of kids of all ages.”

Rounding out the group, Nelson is a tenor singer, rhythm guitarist, and harmonica player with a background in blues and country rock. He was named the 2008 Roots Music Association Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year.

In 2015, the band was recognized as the International Music and Entertainment Association (IMEA) 2015 Bluegrass Group of the Year. In 2014, the group’s song I’ll Be Home for Christmas (In the State of Oregon) won the IMEA Holiday Song of the Year, and their album Spending Every Christmas With You was nominated as the IMEA Holiday Album of the Year. (Presented annually, IMEA awards highlight excellence in the performing arts and entertainment industries by honoring and recognizing the best in independent music, theatre, and live entertainment, internationally.)

The upcoming performance in Hines will be part of the first leg of the band’s Feels So Good — Neighbor to Neighbor tour, which is sponsored in part by Davis Amusement Cascadia. Each concert along the way is set up to benefit the neighborhood or a community project in some way. Admission to the local concert is by donation, and proceeds will benefit Harney County Arts in Education Foundation.

“We are particularly excited about our stop in Harney County,” Boyd said. “Working with the group in Hines has been so much fun. Everyone has been so joyful and enthusiastic about bringing our music to the area. And for this concert to have fallen right at the beginning of the event hosted by the High Desert Fiddlers…Well, we just can’t wait to meet everyone!”

For additional information regarding the performance, call 541-573-2427, 541-573-7001 or visit the band’s website at www.phoenixrisingband.org