Montana Spark

Montana Spark is the musical duo of John Gass and Brenda Fingold weaving the gorgeous tones of the Native American Style Flute with guitar, voice and percussion. We play a mix of originals and covers that include folk, Americana, songs from contemporary Native American artists, and music for yoga and healing.

Why do we call ourselves Montana Spark? In July 2021, John was living in Washington state. Brenda was living in the Boston area. During a small travel window during the pandemic, both of us independently decided to travel to Feathered Pipe Ranch in Montana for a Native American Flute gathering. We met … and there was a spark! This spark has grown into a personal and musical partnership that ultimately brought John to the East Coast and has allowed us to spread our love of Native American flute music and integrate flute into other musical genres in which Brenda had already been involved.

About John
I have been playing Native American Style Flute for over 20 years. I brought my love of flute music, and my collection of flutes, when I moved from Washington State to Massachusetts in 2022. Since arriving in New England I have been working to increase awareness of Native American Style Flute, and to help expand the “flute community” through teaching, facilitating a monthly flute circle, and performing in various venues and configurations. As a member of the duo Montana Spark, I can be heard playing flute to support Brenda’s singing and guitar, playing flute while being supported by Brenda’s guitar, or playing beautiful duets as Brenda adds her flute to the mix. Brenda and I continue to expand and refine the way we share music with each other and with audiences. Music is part of our daily lives and colors our relationship in many ways. The spark we found in Montana continues to flourish.

About Brenda
I am a singer songwriter and play guitar and Native American Style Flute. Music took a backseat during a 20 year legal career, but found its way back into my daily life during subsequent decades as a wellness consultant, mindfulness and yoga teacher, and in my work with dementia and hospice patients. Now, music is a priority. I am immersed in the WUMB Summer Acoustic Music Community and regularly join other musicians for jams and classes as well as perform at various local venues. It has been a joy to see how John’s flute lifts the music I have been playing to a whole new level. At the same time, having a live-in flute teacher has allowed me to expand my flute chops. Most recently, I have been trained as a Labyrinth Facilitator and I enjoy guiding and playing flute for labyrinth walks. For more on my professional background, see https://brendafingold.com/

Upcoming Performances

Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 2pm
Concord Council on Aging
1276 Main Street, West Concord

Friday, April 24th, 2026 at 7pm, live and streaming online
New England Folk Festival (NEFFA)
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center
Marlborough, MA, Seminar Room

Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 11am – 2pm
World Labyrinth Day at the Garden at Elm Bank/Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 900 Washington Street Wellesley.
(Rain date: Sunday, May 3, 2026)

Saturday, May 30th, 2026 from 1pm – 2pm (new time)
Cultural Arts Day on the Freeman Trail
Whittier Birthplace, Haverhill, MA

Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 12:30pm
Newton PorchFest
137 Melrose Street, Newton

Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 1pm
West Concord PorchFest
1317 Main Street, Concord

Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 12pm
Arlington PorchFest
60 Bartlett Street, Arlington

Sunday, June 28, 2026
OARS RiverMusic
Montana Spark will be performing along the Sudbury River and at the Verrill Farm BBQ
Event sponsored by OARS: the Watershed Organization for the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers
Time and Locations coming soon!

Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 2:00pm
Artist Spotlight Series
Tatnuck Bookseller Gifts and Cafe
18 Lyman Street, Westboro, MA

Friday, October 26, 2026 from 5:00 – 6:00pm
The Labyrinth Society Annual Gathering
Wisdom House Retreat Center, Litchfield, CT
We will be playing flute for the Opening Ceremony

Past Performances

New England Folk Festival (NEFFA), Natick Farmer’s Market, Benchmark Assisted Living, The Falls at Cordingly Dam Memory Care, Porchfests in Newton, West Concord, Arlington, Winchester and Melrose, local open mics.