narrator
Justina Golden is a prominent lesbian musician and vocalist in the Pioneer Valley. Born on April 6th, 1961, in Queens, New York, Justina moved to the Valley during her youth in 1972. Before her family moved to the Valley permanently, they frequently visited her grandfather in Historic Deerfield. After graduating from Frontier High School, she graduated from Amherst College in 1983, and then received a Master’s in Music from the Yale School of Music in 1985. After moving to Florence in 1986, Justina started and participated in several queer women’s music groups, including the Sapphonics, Dessert Singers, and A Little Lunch Music. From 1986 to 1998, Justina toured and sang in the duo Justina and Joyce, releasing the albums So Strong and Rhythms, Rhymes, and Tides. Since 1998, Justina has operated the Profound Sound Studio, working as a voice teacher while continuing to perform locally. For over 30 years, she has been a fixture of the lesbian and music communities in Northampton.
abstract
In this interview, Justina Golden reflects on her childhood growing up in Bayside, Queens and visiting her grandfather in Historic Deerfield in the 1960s and 70s. She discusses the differences between these two communities, moving to South Deerfiled in the early 70s, her early love of music, and the perception of queerness at this time. She goes on to describe her experience as a woman attending Amherst College and Yale and early realizations of being a lesbian. She goes on to discuss her relationship with Joyce Zymuck, who she sang with in the popular folk duo Justina and Joyce. She discusses her experiences touring the country, performing at music festivals, and her music teaching career. Justina also shares insights into living as a lesbian in Northampton, and the evolution of the Valley.