Who is Creekwater Collective
JonPaul
JonPaul Sepulveda: 16 years old from Travelers Rest in Upstate SC. JonPaul has had a love for music since he was a toddler, picking out tunes his grandmother (Mimi) showed him on her piano. He began taking piano lessons when he was 8 years old and has received numerous awards at both the state and national level for his renditions of well-known classical and jazz pieces, as well as for his own compositions. When he was 12, he began taking guitar lessons and quickly became immersed in the world of gospel, jazz, blues, and (especially) bluegrass music. As a guitarist, he has also received various awards throughout South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. In addition to the piano and guitar, JonPaul also plays Alto Saxophone (in his school's band), bass guitar (for the school's Praise & Worship team), and mandolin. He plans to continue to advance in his musical pursuits, always seeking to give God honor and praise by using the gifts He has blessed him with. JonPaul sings lead and harmony, and plays guitar for Creekwater Collective.
Lilly Anne
At only 14 years old, Lilly Anne Svrlinga is already an accomplished musician! She began playing the guitar at age 5 and the banjo at age 7. At 10, she was awarded the top scholarship by the SC BTMA - South Carolina Bluegrass and Traditional Music Association. She has been a YAM (Young Appalachian Musicians)’s kid, a Sweet Potato Pie Kids performer, and is now an instructor in the program. She has been the subject in articles in the SEBA (Southeastern Bluegrass Association) magazine, and has been in multiple local newspapers. She has been invited to perform onstage with Balsam Range, Edgar Loudermilk Band, and Kevin Prater. Currently, she is the first place champion in the youth guitar category at the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention August 2024. In 2023, she won first place in the SC State Fiddlers Convention in BOTH youth guitar and youth claw-hammer banjo. Over the past several years, Lilly Anne has performed at numerous bluegrass festivals as well as at IBMA.
Jud
Judson Stone: 13 years old from Six Mile, SC. A student at RC Edwards middle school. Typically on mandolin and vocals for Creekwater Collective. Current SC State Fiddler’s Convention “Wildcat” champion. Member of All County (pickens) Band on Trombone. When he’s not picking one, he loves to shoot guns, hunt, fish, and ride four wheelers and dirt bikes. Check him out and give him some love!! Some of his favorite musicians are Guitar: Del McCoury, Tony Rice, Kenny Smith, Bob Minner, Josh Williams, Bryan Sutton, Jeremy Medkiff Mando: Chris Thile, Sierra Hull, Clark Harry Darren Nicholson Banjo: Bela Fleck, Don Reno, Earl Scruggs, JD Crowe. Currently saturated in Authentic Unlimited Band, Punch Brothers, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
Ayden
Ayden Chappell is a rising star in the world of bluegrass music, known for his skills on the banjo. At just 15 years old, Ayden has already made a name for himself in the tight-knit bluegrass community, performing onstage with seasoned musicians such as Sammy Shelor - banjo player for Lonesome River Band and 5x IBMA Banjo player of the year, Balsam Range, Josh Williams, and Darren Nicholson. Ayden showcases his musical talents while attending local and regional festivals and conventions, placing in competitions and winning numerous scholarships over the past few years.
A native of Pickens County in Upstate SC, Ayden’s love of banjo and bluegrass/old time music began at the early age of 9. From the moment he picked up the banjo, Ayden demonstrated a natural ability for the instrument. His dedication led to rapid progress, and by the time he was 13, he was given the title of youth bluegrass banjo champion at the Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention. That same year at the SC Fiddler’s Convention at Hagood Mill in Pickens, SC, Ayden placed 3rd in the adult guitar category. In 2024, Ayden was featured in an article in the February/March 2024 issue of Plateau magazine (based out of Highlands-Cashiers NC). His most recent accomplishment was when he won 2nd place in the youth clawhammer division at the 2024 SC Fiddlers Convention @ Hagood Mill.
In his early years, Ayden started out as a YAM (Young Appalachian Musicians) kid and performed with the Sweet Potato Pie Kids (a YAM band) during 2020-2023. Currently, Ayden is an instructor for the TAM YAM and Blueridge JAM summer programs 2022- current.
Ayden aspires to continue his studies in bluegrass and become a famous, well-known, accomplished musician.