Karyn Thurston

Writer, poet, and local musician Karyn Thurston (she/her) brings a passion for impactful storytelling and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of live music to the Swan Songs Portland team. As a full time creative freelancer with over 20 years of marketing, communications, and event planning  experience, Karyn spends her days in partnership with Chicago-based firm SmallGood, helping social justice-oriented organizations (like Midwest Innocence Project, Children’s Advocacy Center, and the soon-to-launch Beta Bank) choose the right words to tell their stories. She also works one-on-one with other artists and good-doers to define their voices, share their values, and make sure the work they create finds its way to the people who need it most. 

Karyn is half of Portland's harmony-driven folk duo Story & Tune. She and her partner, Ben Grace, can be found on local stages, gigging at wineries and food cart pods, granting musical last wishes, and sharing songs and stories with local seniors in retirement and assisted living facilities. She is the obnoxiously proud mom of the world's best teen, an unrelenting advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation, and a grateful member of Music Portland.