Members of Harpeth Rising are, from left, Rebecca Reed-Lund (banjo), Jordana Greenberg (violin), Chris Burgess (drums) and Maria Di Meglio.

With their banjo and fiddle, you might think the musicians of Harpeth Rising play traditional bluegrass. Think again.

Cello and hand drums round out the ensemble, so the result is a little bit bluegrass, a little bit classical, a little bit folk and a lot of original music.

Voted Best Local Band in Nashville by The Tennessean and called "an Americana sensation" by WSM Radio, the four classically trained musicians of Harpeth Rising bring a distinctively new sound to the folk genre, blending virtuosic instrumentals with lilting four-part harmonies.

The ensemble will perform Friday, March 8, at The Arts Center in Athens, Tenn., to conclude the Black Box Concert Series. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. in the Sue E. Trotter Black Box Theater.

The musicians met at Indiana University School of Music. They began performing as a quartet in Nashville in 2009, playing for Music City Roots and live in the studio of WSM the following year. They've been touring both nationally and internationally since then.

Their latest album, "The End of the World," debuted in the Top 10 on international folk charts. This is a special project for the band, as it presents songs written by famed songwriter David Greenberg, father of Jordana Greenberg, the band's violinist.

Other members of the ensemble are cellist Maria Di Meglio, drummer Chris Burgess and banjo player Rebecca Reed-Lund.

Tickets are available at the box office, by phone or online.