Shelley Middelton with a $5,000 check for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Middleton and her three children—Griffin, Ashton and Hall—on the cover of the October 2012 Northside Woman.

By CANDY WAYLOCK
candy@northsidewoman.com

Shelley Middleton of Alpharetta has been selected a 2012 Pink Power Mom, and will receive $5,000 to use toward breast cancer research for the Atlanta chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Middleton was one of seven women from across the nation who were selected as Pink Power Moms from among 375 nominees — the most nominees ever submitted in the program’s six-year history.

Middleton, who was nominated by a friend, was honored for her bravery in the struggle against breast cancer, as well as for her efforts to help others join the fight against breast cancer. She has participated in multiple breast cancer walks and marathons, and her team, “Nancy’s Angels,” named in memory of her mother, has raised more than $75,000 for breast cancer research over the past seven years.

Middleton, the mother of triplets, was featured in the October 2012 edition of Northside Woman. There she describes her diagnosis of breast cancer just days after her wedding at age 27. To read the article, visit northsidewoman.com/grateful-for-each-day.

“The (Northside Woman) article answered my prayer and became an amazing reality,” said Middleton. “My prayer was to reach out to our community, and the article brought awareness to this disease and encouraged those fighting their own battle.”

Read our original story here.

Trudy Davies

Jeff and Trudy Davies

America's Mrs. International Crowing

By CANDY WAYLOCK
candy@northsidewoman.com

Trudy Davies is defying the idea that “there are no second acts in American life.”

With apologies to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Davies would like to disagree. Five years ago, on the other end of a phone call, Davies heard the three words most dreaded to women, “you have cancer.”

“Needless to say, it was the shock of my life,” said Davies, a lifelong Georgian who has lived in Roswell for 30 years. “I was at work and the doctor called and said, ‘Trudy, honey, it’s cancer.’ I honestly didn’t hear a word she said after that.”

At the time, Davies was a single mother of two teenagers, the sole financial provider and caregiver. But her church and friends rallied around her, and helped her family through the next 18 months.

“I know we hold the Guinness book of world records for the most meals delivered to a home,” she said, laughing. “My friends even set up a fund to offset the enormous financial burden that battling stage 3 breast cancer can be. People we didn’t even know contributed to the fund. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.”

Today, a four-year survivor of breast cancer and a former trauma nurse, she works to give back what she has received. Davies is a vocal activist in the fight for breast cancer awareness and cure. She will serve as the honorary chairperson for the Race for the Cure over Mother’s Day weekend, as well as the Quilted Northern’s Soft and Strong Champion for the race.

In March, Davies was handed an even higher platform from which to spread the message. She was crowned the 2013 Mrs. Georgia International, and her message during her year-long reign will focus on helping women maintain their self-esteem while battling breast cancer.

“My platform chose me,” said Davies, who was also Mrs. Georgia of the Year in 2001 as well as America’s Mrs. of the Year in 2001. “My goal is to give hope to women and their families battling breast cancer and equip women with [tools] to maintain a sense of dignity throughout the battle.”

Last year, Davies founded the Image Academy, a full-service imaging company that helps women reach their full potential through consulting and professional development. She also works part-time for a reconstructive and plastic surgeon in Buckhead. In between, Davies and her husband, Jefferson, find time to be parents to six sons and six grandchildren.

“I’m not sure I have many ‘typical’ days because of all the different hats I wear,” said Davies. “When a person has been given a second chance at life, they probably push themselves a little harder.”

Her husband is the silver lining in her battle with breast cancer. The two were dating when she received her diagnosis, and instead of cancer driving them apart, it brought them closer.

“Jefferson proposed to me in the hospital after my first surgery for breast cancer,” said Davies. “I was in the hospital bed with bandages and IVs everywhere. Even the doctors and nurses were crying. He kept telling me that we still have a lot of life to live.”

As she looks down the road and where she sees herself in 10 years, her answer is simply, “Alive…and that’s enough for me.”

2. Belly dance

3. Painting

4. Beaded jewelry

5. East Coast Swing Basics

By KATIE VanBRACKLE
katie@northsidewoman.com

Who says kids are the only ones who get to play? Try something new this summer with a wide variety of adult art and dance classes offered through local city parks and recreation programs. From ballroom dancing to pet portrait painting, you’ll find something to get your creative juices flowing. Sign up now for summer classes and have fun exploring the arts!

1. Wheel pottery (Roswell)

Explore form and surface in a demonstration-based atmosphere while learning to wedge, center and throw basic forms such as mugs, bowls and vases. Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., June 4 – July 10. $200 for Roswell residents, $300 for non-residents. Arts Center West, 1355 Woodstock Road, Roswell. www.RoswellClayCollective.com

2. Belly dance (Roswell)

Belly dance is based on natural body movements and is a thorough and effective exercise for every part of the body. Foundational movements such as hip circles, snake arms and shimmies will be introduced. Ages 15 and up.  Mondays, 7 – 8 p.m., June 3– July 29. $72 for Roswell residents, $108 for non-residents. East Roswell Recreation Center, 9000 Fouts Road, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

3. Painting (Alpharetta/Milton)

Instructor Maureen Engle will lead hands-on instruction of palette knife painting and brush painting with oil, acrylic and watercolor – you select the medium. Tuesdays at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m., from June 4 to July 16. A supply list will be provided. $100 for residents of Alpharetta or Milton, $150 for non-residents. Alpharetta Arts Center at Crabapple, 12624 Broadwell Road, Milton. www.alpharetta.ga.us/recreation

4. Beaded jewelry (Cumming)

Learn how to sew peyote (gourd) stitch and make beaded components to create a bracelet. Also learn stringing and crimping. Tools are provided. $8 supply fee. Ages 14 and up. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – noon, June 4 – 11. Sharon Springs Park, 1950 Sharon Road, Cumming. $30 for Forsyth County residents, $36 for non-residents. www.forsythco.com/parks

5. East Coast Swing basics (Cumming)

East Coast Swing can be danced to a variety of music including rock and roll, Big Band and rhythm and blues. This class for new dancers will cover lead and follow, patterns, footwork, partnering and technique. Singles or couples welcome. Ages 18 and up. Thursdays at 6:15 p.m., June 6 – 27. Fowler Park, 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming. $40 for Forsyth County residents, $48 for non-residents.  www.forsythco.com/parks

By CAROLYN ASPENSON 

Moms don’t get a day off. In fact, moms rarely get a few hours off. Stay-at-home moms and working moms alike experience stress that, if not alleviated, can cause long-term damage. Damage like heart disease, risk of stroke and yes, even cancer.

Of course, a proper diet and exercise program and getting at least seven hours of sleep are the key factors to stress reduction, but we live in the real world and the real world doesn’t always play nice.

There are other ways to help reduce stress. The next time you’re feeling the pressure, consider trying these:

1. Short bursts of exercise: No time to go to the gym? No problem. Spend five or 10 minutes squatting, lunging or even doing jumping jacks. Something to get blood circulating and to release feel-good endorphins relieves stress and instantly improves moods. A “quickie” will have a similar result, and just might make your partner more willing to take on additional tasks. Bonus!
2. Breathe deeply: Slow, focused, deep breaths in and out increase oxygen levels and improve blood flow, which improves bodily functions. Do 10 – 15 of these throughout the day and you’ll see a noticeable difference in stress levels.
3. Positive visualization: Every morning, take a few minutes and visualize a positive, productive day. Similar to the laws of attraction, what you put out for yourself impacts what you feel and rejuvenates the body.
4. Stretch: A few head rolls (never back, always to the sides and forward), shoulder, upper back stretches and anything to elongate your torso will provide instant relief and improve flexibility. A few of these each morning and whenever possible throughout the day can perform miracles.
5. Hydrate: Dehydration causes headaches, bloating, tight muscles and a many other medical issues. Increased water intake improves body functions. Once your body is in a constant state of hydration, you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.

Remember, stress is the cause of several physical and emotional ailments, but practicing a few simple yet effective tension-relieving tricks can minimize current damage and even halt potential issues.

Carolyn has been a fitness and nutrition enthusiast for over 15 years. She holds certifications from nationally recognized organizations in both fitness and nutrition. She can be reached at craspen@comcast.net.

Keel summer family gatherings involve plenty of suntan lotion, water and sunglasses.

By DEBBIE KEEL
North Fulton Hospital CEO

I admit it. This is a public apology. I was the reason that our coldest days of the winter, complete with blustery north winds and freezing rain, came AFTER Easter. Duh…weren’t we supposed to start wearing our summer clothes that week?

It’s clear to me now. My friends told me this when I moved here, but I didn’t listen. You see, I took my winter coats and scarves to the cleaner right BEFORE Easter. Sort of like washing your car causing the biggest rainfall of the year.

But now it’s May, and we’ve had a gradual warming ever since. The shorts and sandals are out in force, at least at a recent Keel clan gathering. So, it’s not too early to give your family some summer safety reminders:

1. Stock up on suntan lotion, and use it early (yes, you can get sunburned even if it’s still a little cool outside) and often. As you can see, I had three blond, blue-eyed carbon copies of my husband (and now they have re-prints of their own) so I bought and used suntan lotion by the gallon. Also, be sure the lotion you have left over isn’t expired – yes, suntan lotion does expire. Some lotions have an expiration date, but many lose their effectiveness after a year. If you store your lotion in a hot place, it is more likely to be less effective.
2. Drink plenty of fluids…excluding sodas, of course. How about good, old fashioned water? Every system in your body depends on it. It doesn’t even have to be in a bottle, but could come right out of your tap.
3. Protect your eyes. You only have two (except moms who have been known to have “eyes in the back of their head” to see what their kids are doing). You don’t have to spend $300 on a pair of sunglasses to do this. Just be sure they have an ultraviolet protection, preferably 100 percent UV protection. Also, children need UV protection even more than adults.

These are just three things to remember. I didn’t even include things like “Be nice to your kids ‘cause they will be back in school before you know it,” or “Yes, you should have been a teacher so you’d have the summer off!”

Oh, and one more, in the words of Henry James, “Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”

By CYNTHIA MORRISON EIKE
Visage Design by Cynthia, LLC

As we celebrate mothers this May, I am gratefully reminded of the beauty example my European mother has always been for me. Even at 80 years old, she is still the most beautiful woman I know, and my most inspirational beauty icon. Here are some of her timeless beauty tips:

• Always wash your face nightly. The busiest of moms can follow this tip by keeping pre-moistened cleansing cloths on hand. Neutrogena’s Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes 25 count ($8) effectively dissolves all traces of dirt, oil and makeup – even waterproof mascara – for clean, fresh skin in one easy step. Even new moms have no excuse not to wash up. Baby wipes are a staple around the house and serve double duty as gentle face cloths for us. Try Huggies Natural Care Fragrance Free Baby Wipes ($6) for both you and baby.
• A sparkling, sincere smile is your best accessory. Keep your teeth white and smile healthy by adding some baking soda to your toothpaste occasionally. Many brands have incorporated it into their tubes but in insufficient quantities to make much difference. Dip your pre-pasted toothbrush into a container of Arm and Hammer Baking soda ($1) and brush at least twice a week; more if you’re a coffee, tea and red wine drinker.
• The right shade of red lipstick solves all problems. Enhance those pearly whites with a flattering shade of red. Even the fairest skin tones look poised and “put together” in a shade like Bobbi Brown’s Burnt Red ($24). For extra teeth and smile enhancing, try Cover Girl LipPerfection Lip Color in Tempt ($7). Smile at yourself after putting it on; it really helps!
• Wear perfume even if you’re the only one who will smell it. Fragrance is scientifically proven to affect our mood for good or bad. Spritz yourself with your favorite fragrance anytime you need a lift or indulge in nostalgia by wearing one associated with pleasant memories. (I get a virtual hug every time I smell my mother’s favorite perfume.)
• Model yourself after someone you admire and respect. I admire and respect my mother more than anyone in the world and aspire to be such for my daughters by the time I grow up. In the meantime, the words of Audrey Hepburn sum up my mother’s (and my) philosophy about beauty:

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others. For beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness, and for poise, walk with the knowledge you are never alone.”

—Audrey Hepburn

Cynthia has been a makeup artist for more than 25 years. She provides consulting and makeup application services through Visage Designs by Cynthia. Contact her at visagedesigns@gmail.com.

Left: Lands' End Women’s Beach Living V-neck Solid Tankini and Batik Mini Skirt in Deep Sea ($34, $39) with Solid Sun Hat in white ($29). Right: V-neck Wave Tankini and Solid Mini Skirt in Buttercup ($39, $34).

Black Label Boutique’s Camilla Franks swimsuit.

Black Label Boutique’s Camilla Franks kaftan.

Another one of Black Label Boutique’s Camilla Franks kaftans.

By LORI WYNNE
fashionwithflair.com

Hey, all you Southern gals! Will you be spending time in the pool, lake, boat, river or ocean this summer? I hear a resounding, “Yes!”

For the few of you who said a dreaded, “No,” with a shudder, is it because you don’t have a swimsuit that makes you feel confident and secure?

Perhaps you have many suits, but do you have the right one for the activity?

• Sporty tankinis with a modest skirt or boyshorts for boating with your teenage son’s friends, or mom/toddler day at the pool.
• Fashionably sleek one- or two-piece with matching cover-up for lounging on the deck of a cruise ship.
• Rash guard shirt and board shorts for kayaking or whitewater rafting on one of the many North Georgia rivers.

One of the most frustrating things to shop for is women’s swimsuits. Let’s face it; the lighting in most store dressing rooms is awful. The mirrors may not give the right view or maybe TOO MANY views.

Here are my online suggestions for shopping for swim and beachwear this year:

Lands’ End has cute and modest swimwear that lasts. Go to landsend.com for that perfect “family boating day” swimsuit. You will feel confident knowing that you are securely covered while tubing, hauling gear in and out of the boat or going down the waterslide.

Athleta has many coordinating tops and bottoms to create your own personalized look in your individual size even if you are a different size on top and bottom. Go to athleta.com for two-piece suits and rash guard tops and bottoms that are feminine and fun. A must have for “Adventure Barbie” whitewater kayaking on the river or long boarding in the Caribbean.

Black Label Boutique carries a line of distinctive cover-ups for the fashionably elite: blacklabelboutique.com/camilla. Worn by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Gwen Stefani, Camilla kaftans are colorful and sure to make a statement at the finer resorts you visit.

Tips for shopping online for suits: Check sizing charts, know the difference between regular, short and long torso suits and read customer reviews. Take advantage of free return shipping or in-store return policy.

Tips for trying on suits at home: Try them on in the morning when you feel fresh and thinner. Wear high heels. I am not joking. Your legs will look longer and give you a more positive perspective about your body and the suit.

Complete the outfit with coordinating cover-up, hat, statement sunglasses and sandals. (This is where you are supposed to wear flip-flops: not the mall, restaurant, office or church.)

Ladies, I dare you to wear high-heeled sandals with your cruise ship suit. Where else can you get away with it? Those other cruisers will never see you again. Your legs will look long and fabulous while you strut on the promenade deck like a pageant queen.

Final tips: If you find a suit that makes you feel and look fabulous, buy it! Cost doesn’t matter when it comes to your self-confidence. A drawer full of cheap suits that you don’t wear is worthless. A swimsuit that makes you look and feel like a million bucks: Priceless.

As a personal wardrobe consultant and owner of Alpharetta-based Fashion With Flair, Lori Wynne’s expert advice helps people look their personal best. Contact her at fashionwithflair.com.

Soap artist Karin Collins at the 2012 Holiday Bazaar at Milton High School.

Collins' Water Lilies soap.

Water Lilies all boxed up for the Cannes Film Festival.

Champagne Kisses soap.

Don’t Get Your Panties in a Twist soap.

By KATIE VanBRACKLE
katie@northsidewoman.com

When glamorous international film stars flock to Cannes, France this month for the 66^th annual Cannes Film Festival, Karin Collins of Milton will be paying close attention. Not necessarily as an avid film fan, but rather as a local soap maker with a special connection to this year’s world-famous event.

What does soap have to do with Leonardo DiCaprio, star of Cannes’ opening film, “The Great Gatsby,” you might ask?

It is likely that DiCaprio and many other celebrities visiting Cannes will receive a gift basket from the Artisan Group, an art promotions group representing artisans at Hollywood’s best celebrity gift lounges at events such as the Oscars and Golden Globe Awards.

Among other handcrafted items such as jewelry, scarves and paintings, each Artisan Group basket sent to France will contain a colorful bar of “Water Lilies” glycerin soap created by Collins specifically for the Cannes Film Festival.

“I wanted to try something new with a French theme,” said Collins, who drew inspiration from French impressionist painter Claude Monet and his famous water lily paintings. The blue bar soap contains vivid blocks of green, lavender, pink and yellow floating like lilies in a serene pond.

“Water Lilies” is not the first of Collins’ soaps to be received by celebrities. Her “Champagne Kisses” soap was presented to Renée Zellweger as a birthday gift. Brandi Glanville of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” was given a whimsical pink-swirled soap entitled “Don’t Get Your Panties in a Twist.”

Collins discovered the Artisan Group through Facebook and said it has become a valuable networking tool connecting her with over 700 other artists across the nation, including several from North Fulton.

While the celebrity connections are fun, Collins spends most of her time close to home selling her paraben-free and phthalate-free glycerin soaps at festivals, bazaars and farmers markets here in North Fulton.

She enjoys the challenge of pairing colors, shapes and fragrances to create a wide variety of eye-catching soaps, ranging from elegant flowers and striking modern art designs to whimsical glaze-covered doughnuts, tennis rackets and slices of cake. “The possibilities are endless and it’s great fun to play with new ideas,” said Collins.

Look for Collins’ The Lost Arts soap booth at the Brookwood Farmers Market at Caney Creek Preserve in the South Forsyth/Johns Creek area beginning May 17— brookwoodfarmersmarket.com. For your own personal Hollywood connection, you can order a bar of the Cannes Film Festival “Water Lilies” soap from The Lost Arts website, thelostarts.storenvy.com.

Sisters Patti Callahan Henry and Barbi Callahan Burris were guests at an author event held at Gibbs Gardens in April. (Katie VanBrackle)

By KATIE VanBRACKLE
katie@northsidewoman.com

Three years ago, Barbi Callahan Burris of Milton was at home finishing up her morning routine after getting her two teenage sons out the door for school. She checked her email and noticed a message from Facebook saying she had a “friend request” from someone named Catherine Janelle Barbee.

The name was not familiar, although whenever Burris came across the name Janelle, her heart skipped a beat, remembering the baby girl she had given birth to over twenty years ago, also named Janelle, meaning “precious gift from God.”

A single, 23-year-old woman at the time, Burris had made the difficult choice to place Janelle for an “anonymous adoption by a hand-chosen family,” hoping that Janelle’s new, loving home would provide a firmer foundation than she, Burris, could offer at that point in time.

While investigating her new friend request, Burris noticed that Catherine Janelle Barbee was also listed as a friend of Patti Callahan Henry, Burris’ sister.

Henry, a New York Times bestselling author with a large fan following on Facebook, didn’t recognize the name when Burris questioned her about their mutual “friend.”

When Henry visited Catherine’s page and learned that she was a 21-year-old college student in Pennsylvania, a little red flag went up in Henry’s mind, but she didn’t want to upset Burris unnecessarily.

She instead turned to younger sister, Jeannie Cunnion, who confirmed that the birthday listed on Catherine’s Facebook page was in fact the same date and year as the birth date of baby Janelle.

Henry, in tears, immediately called Burris.

“She found you,” Henry whispered.

Burris, stunned, accepted the friend request and went straight to Catherine’s photo page, where she saw a smiling, blonde, blue-eyed young woman.

“And I knew that I knew,” said Burris.

“For me, it’s a story of God’s faithfulness. And I hope that will bring comfort to others facing the same choice.”

Communication soon flowed between Burris, Catherine and her adoptive family, the Barbees of Pennsylvania.

Burris learned that Catherine, who has always known she was adopted, had stumbled across her old adoption papers while searching for cell phone records in her father’s office. The Wite-Out used to cover her birth mother’s name had flaked away over the years, revealing the name Barbara Jean Callahan.

A quick Google search revealed lots of information on Patti Callahan Henry, who had once dedicated a book to her sister, thereby linking the two names online. After “friending” Henry, Catherine located her birth mother among the list of Henry’s online friends.

Burris says the strong faith of Colleen Barbee, Catherine’s mother, gave Barbee the courage to help her daughter track down her birth mother.

“The three of us all shared our hearts and were very open and honest about our excitement as well as our fears,” said Burris who soon flew to Pennsylvania to meet the Barbee family and reconnect with Catherine Janelle.

In time, Catherine’s birth father was also brought into the picture and today, the Burris and Barbee families remain in close touch, with frequent visits.

All involved agreed that the remarkable tale would make a great novel, but when Henry tried to write the non-fiction story, she wasn’t pleased with the result.

“It just didn’t work,” said Henry. “I was too close to the subject. So Barbi told me to do what I do best and fictionalize the story.”

The result is “And Then I Found You,” Henry’s 9^th novel, which is inspired by, but not based on her sister’s life.

Through the emotional, fictional story of heroine Kate Vaughn and childhood love Jack Adams, Henry addresses the complexities of adoption from both sides of the coin, with Vaughn discovering that in order to move forward, she must first make peace with her past. Reviewers are praising the new novel as Henry’s “most personal and powerful story to date.”

Readers who are intrigued by the true story which sets the stage for “And Then I Found You,” can download “Friend Request,” an e-original short non-fiction story co-written by Burris and Henry and covering the unforgettable true events of just one day: April 20, 2010, when Burris received her Facebook friend request from Catherine Janelle.

After working on “Friend Request,” Burris felt compelled to write the complete story of Janelle’s birth, adoption and rediscovery in her own words, a project she is working on slowly, as most of her time is currently spent raising two active teenage sons and working full time as a flight attendant.

Though sharing such an intensely personal experience from her past with the public is not an easy thing for Burris to do, she hopes that her story will help others going through or considering an adoption.
“For me, it’s a story of God’s faithfulness,” she said. “And I hope that will bring comfort to others facing the same choice.”

Friend Request

By Patti Callahan Henry with Barbi Callahan Burris

A 22-page, short e-story, detailing the true events of one unforgettable day: April 20, 2010, when Barbi Callahan Burris received a Facebook friend request from the daughter she had placed for adoption twenty-one years before.

And Then I Found You

By Patti Callahan Henry

A fictional novel inspired by the true events detailed in “Friend Request.”

When Kate Vaughn discovers the small velvet box hidden in devoted boyfriend Rowan’s drawer, she panics. Just when she believes she can love, she’s filled with dread. Kate understands that a woman can never undo what can never be undone. Yet for the first time in her life she also knows that she won’t fully love until she confronts those from her past. It’s time to act. Can she do it? Can she travel to the place where it all began, to the one who shares her secret? Can the lost ever be found?

Von Grey performs on “Conan,” filmed at the Tabernacle in Atlanta. (Megan Sinclair/Team Coco)

Kathryn von Grey, age 18. (Devon Morgan/PhotoSynthesis Studio)

Annika von Grey, age 16. (Devon Morgan/PhotoSynthesis Studio)

Fiona von Grey, age 15. (Devon Morgan/PhotoSynthesis Studio)

Petra von Grey, age 13. (Devon Morgan/PhotoSynthesis Studio)

The four talented von Grey sisters from Johns Creek, Fiona, 15, Annika, 16, Kathryn, 18, and Petra, 13, are not your typical teen band. The girls, who all play multiple instruments each, are touring the nation as von Grey, an alternative folk band, and receiving enthusiastic praise from music critics along the way. (Devon Morgan/PhotoSynthesis Studio)

Jill von Grey and her four talented daughters. (Devon Morgan/PhotoSynthesis Studio)

The five-song EP “von Grey,” available on iTunes.

Von Grey at the 2013 Atlanta Dogwood Festival. (Kelly Brooks)

Annika at Dogwood. (Kelly Brooks)

Kathryn at Dogwood. (Kelly Brooks)

Fiona at Dogwood. (Kelly Brooks)

Petra at Dogwood. (Kelly Brooks)

By KATIE VanBRACKLE
katie@northsidewoman.com

As parents, Jill and Michael von Grey of Johns Creek wanted to make sure their four young daughters learned to play musical instruments, both for the girls’ own enjoyment and to strengthen their brain development and fine motor skills.

Those childhood music lessons led to a shared passion for talented sisters Kathryn, Annika, Fiona and Petra, now all teenagers and touring the country as the alternative folk band von Grey.

Since the release of their first five-song EP “von Grey” in 2012, the band has been busy performing at concerts, festivals, listening rooms and cultural arts centers across the country, receiving enthusiastic praise from music critics and journalists.

You may have seen their national television debut on “Late Show with David Letterman” in February, or more recently, performing for Conan O’Brien who filmed his talk show in Atlanta in March.

“Think of them like Mumford and Daughters,” quipped the “Conan” website, referring to von Grey’s blend of classical and folk instruments combined with soulful harmonies.

The girls write and perform all of their own music, displaying a calm confidence and natural synergy on stage, making it easy to forget they are only teenagers.

Yet even with their considerable success, the four sisters are not your typical pop princesses preening for the spotlight, but very polite, mature and somewhat shy young women who allow their incredible talent to speak for them.

And it speaks beautifully.

Kathryn, 18, Annika, 16, Fiona, 15, and Petra, 13, each play multiple instruments with seemingly effortless skill, a testament to many years of hard work and practice.

Each girl began taking individual music lessons at the age of 5, studying piano and strings at North Atlanta Talent Education (NATE) in Roswell.

Jill homeschooled her daughters, often teaching lessons in the hallways at NATE to accommodate the girls’ music lessons.

NATE instructor Tracy Shealy remembers four talented and very dedicated students.

“Because they began playing together at such young ages, performing has become part of who they are. Their style and instruments may have changed, but their extensive performance training has led them to where they are now,” she said.

The sisters first performed together at weddings as a classical string quartet but soon branched out into other musical genres such as bluegrass and country, mastering more instruments along the way, including guitar for Fiona, banjo for Annika, lap slide guitar for Petra and mandolin for Kathryn.

Three years ago, the girls began writing their own music, drawing particular inspiration from the “new grass” sound of progressive acoustic music trio Nickel Creek.

Fiona and Annika emerged as the group’s primary singers and songwriters, penning surprisingly thoughtful, poetic lyrics at the tender ages of 12 and 14. What is the source of such depth in ones so young?

“I read a lot,” said Annika. “And our parents have always exposed us to as much as possible culturally. We may not have a lot of life experience yet to draw upon, but you can learn quite a bit simply by observing other people and their relationships.”

Von Grey’s management team, Red Light, prefers that the girls not use stylists or co-writers, allowing the band to develop and mature naturally, preserving that unique blend of girlish innocence and fierce individuality.

Jill and Michael also give their daughters the freedom to express themselves through personal appearance. Like most teenage girls, the sisters all love to shop (Junkman’s Daughter in Little Five Points is a favorite spot), and hair color and clothing styles frequently change in the household as the mood strikes.

Early in their career, offers came their way to follow a more mainstream, pop music path (think Taylor Swift), but the girls chose to remain “authentic” and blaze their own trail, a decision that made their parents very proud.

Last year, von Grey toured the West Coast with YouTube musical sensation Lindsey Stirling, and this winter, traveled across the northeastern states as the opening act for Company of Thieves, an indie rock group from Chicago.

All of this travel is done in the family van, as the band’s many large instruments are too bulky and heavy to manage on airplanes. Jill serves multiple roles on these cross-country road trips: mother, logistics manager, driver and teacher.

“Unlike many performing groups, my girls do a show, then sleep, then do school,” said Jill who admits that as a typical “ducks in a row” mother, she has had to learn to live with chaos during the past few years.

Hours and hours on the road together can get a bit tense at times for four teenage girls and their mother (Michael flies in to join the family when he can), but Annika says there are advantages to spending so much time together.

“Creatively, we need to know each other very well and feel like we don’t have any barriers up when we try to write music that is personal and emotional,” she said.

With so many hours spent on the road, practicing in the family basement “band cave,” and working on school lessons, there isn’t much time left over for typical teen pursuits such as hanging out with friends or dating, but Jill says the girls knew there would be trade-offs when they chose to pursue this dream.

“For example, Kathryn will graduate this year and is ready for college, but we have agreed to be flexible about the timing of her higher education,” she said. “All of our girls are excellent students, very determined and ambitious, so we are just taking it as it comes and trying not to hold them to a pre-determined timetable.”

The girls are currently recording their second album and preparing for a busy summer of concerts and appearances including Atlanta’s new Shaky Knees Music Festival on May 4 and 5, and Sandy Springs’ Rhythm and Brews on June 27.

Jill will put yet more miles on the family van, driving her daughters to California to perform in front of important music industry professionals in Los Angeles, to Tennessee for the hugely popular Woodstock-style music event Bonnaroo and to Colorado to open for the Indigo Girls at the Denver Botanical Gardens.

The girls’ former music teachers at NATE are enjoying watching von Grey’s star on the rise.

“We were beyond excited to see them on David Letterman,” said Shealy. “They have become so polished and sounded so good and we are very proud and happy for them. We started out as teachers, but now we’ve become fans.”

To learn more about the band, go to vongreymusic.com.