Center for the literary arts in New York State
More than 300 welcome Natalie Merchant to UAlbany
A crowd of more than 300 people welcomed Natalie Merchant to the University at Albany for a season-opening conversation with WAMC's Joe Donahue on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026.
The singer-songwriter reflected on the experiences that shaped Cabinet of Wonder, her passion project inspired by a love of children and childhood stories.
The audience shared Joe's surprise when Natalie noted that many children today are unfamiliar with the Mother Goose nursery rhymes that have been passed from generation to generation for centuries. By setting those traditional rhymes to music and dance, her Cabinet of Wonder project introduces the magic of storytelling to a new generation.
The evening ended with a standing ovation. Natalie greeted friends from her years living in Troy while attendees enjoyed free ice cream sandwiches outside the UAlbany Performing Arts Center, a sweet treat to kick off our season.
Learn more about Natalie's multimedia project, Cabinet of Wonder. The site is filled with videos, music, teaching guides, downloadable materials, photos, and other resources for teachers and parents. >> cabinetofwonder.org
THE CREATIVE LIFE: A CONVERSATION
Photo credit: Joe Mazza, Brave Lux
Natalie Merchant
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Conversation / Q&A with WAMC’s Joe Donahue
University at Albany
Main Theatre, UAlbany Performing Arts Center
1400 Washington Avenue, Albany NY 12222
See map.
No tickets / no registration required.
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Natalie Merchant, one of the defining singer-songwriters of her generation, discusses her new album and multimedia collaboration, "Cabinet of Wonder," an ambitious educational project based on traditional Mother Goose nursery rhymes and original songs.
The project grows out of Merchant’s experience as a teaching artist at a Head Start preschool in Troy as its artist-in-residence for three years. During that time, she taught music and poetry to several hundred preschool-age children while writing the music, and designing, and sewing the costumes used in "Cabinet of Wonder."
Merchant is celebrated as much for the poetry of her lyrics as for the distinctive sound and emotional richness of her voice. Born in Jamestown, NY, Merchant joined the alt rock band 10,000 Maniacs in 1981, serving as lead singer and primary songwriter.
Five of the band’s songs became top ten hits on Billboard’s Modern Rock Track music chart, including the #1 hit, “These Are Days.” She became a solo artist in 1993, releasing nine acclaimed albums, including Tigerlily, Ophelia, Motherland, Natalie Merchant and Paradise Is There. Her top ten hit singles include the all-time classics, “Carousel,” “Wonder” and “Jealousy.”
