Darrius Flowers

Darrius Flowers (he/him) is a musician and dancer based in Stokes County, North Carolina. He plays bluegrass and old-time music and is skilled in multiple instruments, including the fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass. He also practices traditional flatfoot and square dancing. “The dancing and music go hand-in-hand,” Darrius explains.

Darrius and his siblings learned music and dance through the Surry Arts Council’s Traditional Arts Program. Now, he teaches music and flatfoot and square dancing to kids through the same program. He explains that, when he plays at dances and events, he is often one of the youngest people there. “It’s important for young musicians to teach others so the artform stays alive,” he says. He has also been featured as a musician on the WPAQ Merry-Go-Round, the second-longest continuously running live radio broadcast in the country.

Darrius plans to use his Emerging Traditional Artists program award to take lessons in songwriting and music production. “Music production would help me be able to spread traditional music and enlighten others about the importance and the historical value in the music,” he explains.