Ben Townsend is a West Virginia based musician, educator, and interdisciplinary artist whose work is rooted in Appalachian old-time traditions while remaining actively engaged with contemporary creative practice. As a member of The Fox Hunt, Old Sledge, the Iron Leg Boys, and the Hackensaw Boys, and now as a solo artist, Townsend has toured extensively across the United States and internationally, sharing his distinctive approach to Appalachian music in a wide range of cultural contexts.

His performance history includes collaborations and shared stages with artists as varied as Ralph Stanley, the Henry Girls of County Donegal, Ireland, and Taiko drummers from Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. These encounters have shaped a practice that honors the specificity of regional tradition while remaining open to cross-cultural exchange.

Townsend learned directly from master tradition bearers including Dave Bing, Gerry Milnes, John Harrod, and John Morris. While his playing is deeply rooted in the musical lineages of West Virginia and Kentucky, his work consistently seeks new contexts and forms; allowing old-time music to remain living, responsive, and relevant.

In addition to performing, Townsend is an accomplished educator known for his ability to break down tunes into their essential mechanics and melodic structures. He has taught banjo and fiddle at Allegheny Echoes in Marlinton, West Virginia; Common Ground on the Hill at McDaniel College in Maryland; and the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia.

Currently, Townsend is a seminarian pursuing a Master of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, where he is exploring the intersection of faith, art, and community life. His present work engages music, technology, and storytelling as tools for reflection, connection, and renewal.