MIDDLEBURG, VA, September 18, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Bess Putnam has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Putnam is a distinguished music teacher and has dedicated more than two decades to the advancement of music education, music appreciation and performance. Over the past three years, she has served students at Wakefield School, where she is also a valued member of the lower school performing arts faculty. She is recognized for her innovative approach to content curation, notably through her Songbird Music Class, a unique program that integrates music with nature, enabling students to identify bird calls and foster connections with their environment. Ms. Putnam's commitment to student engagement and creative pedagogy was honored in 2022 when she received the Educator of the Year award, a distinction voted on by parents and deeply cherished by Ms. Putnam for its reflection of her positive impact on both students and families.

Before joining the faculty at Wakefield School, Ms. Putnam contributed her expertise as a music director at Trinity Episcopal Church, where she led musical programming and performances that enriched the church's cultural life and spiritual community. In this capacity, she has used the power of music to bring hope and connection to the congregation. Ms. Putnam expanded traditional liturgical music offerings to incorporate elements that celebrated both legacy and more modern musical experiences.

Ms. Putnam's career as a musician and performing artist spans many years and is marked by her persona as The Blue Mountain Songbird. Through this role, she blends music and storytelling to inspire conservation efforts and celebrate the rich history of Virginia's landscape. Ms. Putnam's signature performances are characterized by a personal connection to her craft and by distinct, discernible qualities that have earned her respect among peers and audiences alike.

Ms. Putnam's academic background includes coursework in religion and philosophy at Northern Virginia Community College. This foundation has shaped and informed her holistic approach to education, allowing her to interact with students on intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels. Ms. Putnam attributes much of her success thus far to a focus on staying true to herself and forging genuine relationships with listeners and learners.

Ms. Putnam remains actively engaged in civic service and volunteers as a Sunday school teacher. She also serves on the board of The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association and contributes her insights as an advisory board member for the Middleburg Library Board. She cherishes spending quality time with her family and, alongside her husband, manages a herd of beef cattle while sharing a passion for outdoor pursuits such as hunting, riding, shooting and fishing with their two daughters, a testament to their sporting spirit and appreciation for rural life.

Looking toward the future, Ms. Putnam will focus on releasing an album featuring original songs and personal stories. After years devoted to traditional music that connects audiences with local history and the land, she aims to share a more intimate perspective through this project. Across her diverse career, Ms. Putnam has remained steadfast in her mission to serve her community through music education and performance, measuring success not by public recognition but by the joy and inspiration she brings to students and audiences, a legacy shaped by generations of musicians in her family and guided by the enduring influence of her parents' dedication to mentorship.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

# # #