Andrew Rossow is a musician and actor with ArtMakers, a non-profit that brings together people with and without disabilities to create art together and build community. Disabilities. Arts. Community. Andrew plays autoharp and percussion. He has perfect pitch, and can transpose songs on the fly. Andrew loves making new friends.

Whether I am working abstractly or realistically I try to capture the grace of nature in my paintings. My artwork is inspired by the continually changing aspects of our natural world. Colors, light, and seasons change daily to inspire my creations. I like to freeze particular moments in time. Through my work I can clearly look back and remember the feelings of wonder and joy at seeing flowers in a garden, a gorgeous colorful sunrise, wet pebbles in a local lake, or a field of wheat blissfully swaying in the breeze.

A Signature Member of the Minnesota Watercolor Society since 2022, I am honored to have been awarded the BEST IN SHOW Award for my watercolor, “Gentle Winds are Blowing” in the society’s 2021 juried Spring Exhibition. In 2022 I won BEST PASTEL for “Snail Lake Woods” in the White Bear Center for the Arts’ Into Nature Plein Air Competition. I was recently awarded FIRST HONORS for “Echo of Spring” in MN Watercolor Society’s 2022 Fall Exhibition. I show my work regionally and work from my studio in Edina, MN.

Dr. Ashley Ng, Minnesota violinist, is a freelance musician and music teacher based in the Twin Cities.

Serving as the Associate Principal Second Violinist with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Concertmaster of the Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra, Ashley enjoys performing in orchestral and chamber music ensembles throughout the Midwest.

Ashley is a founding member and marketing director for the 10th Wave Chamber Collective, a new-music ensemble bringing contemporary classical music to a wider audience across the Twin Cities. Ashley is also a founding member of the Stone Arch String Quartet that enjoys performing for weddings and special events.

In addition to performing, Ashley is proud to be a faculty member of the MacPhail Center for Music where she began her musical studies as an 8-year-old. Ashley is involved both as a private teacher as well as working with group classes through MacPhail’s School Partnerships programs.

She helped create an after-school private lesson program at Roseville Area High School in 2017 that provides affordable music lessons as well as scholarship for students in 9th-12th grade. Ashley has also been a faculty member at Yinghua Academy’s Music Conservatory, Roseville Summer Orchestra Camp, and Mounds View Schools Summer Orchestra. Ashley attended The Boston Conservatory (BM ’11), Boston University (MM ’13), and graduated with her Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Minnesota in 2017. Her former teachers include Young Nam Kim, Lucia Lin, Lynn Chang, and Cheryl Stewart.

Aubrey McGettrick (she/her) is a digital Marketing specialist, with experience in education and curriculum, and the Arts. As the Marketing & Communication Manager for Milagro Theatre, she took pride in planning and promoting events, organizing photoshoots, and connecting with artists. With a background in acting and voice and text coaching in theatre, Aubrey aims to build lasting relationships and uplift each individual’s unique voice through marketing. Currently she also works as the Marketing Director for the independent Salsa-Noir short film, CANALLA. She is very excited to be collaborating with Light in the Well on their social media needs!

Check out Aubrey’s marketing work by visiting @canallamovie on Instagram

Hi, my name is Beth and I am 15 years old and in 9th grade. I love music! I sing and dance moving my legs and my arms. Music calms me when I am upset. I was 9 years old when I met Miss Wu. I just love her so much! She writes songs to sing and we dance together. We practice being loud and being calm. My Spirit rejoices after I have played with her.

Bethany is a sweet, loving 14-year-old girl who enjoys all kinds of music and especially singing with the congregation at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. She attends school at Hand in Hand Christian Montessori. Her favorite subjects are science, geography and art. She enjoys swimming, Special Olympics gymnastics, carriage driving, traveling and music therapy with Ms. Wu. She is thankful for the encouragement she receives from her friends, teachers and family, including Mom, Dad and sister Lily. She is proud of her accomplishments and hopes to become a doctor someday.

Bob Kanygin lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, in a village about one-half hour away from Halifax. He is married and has one daughter. He has been a volunteer for over 30 years, serving on Boards of various organizations, working on projects, and providing much-needed labor to help make various events a success.

After obtaining a master’s degree in Health Service Administration, he worked in the largest hospital in Nova Scotia for 25 years, gaining skills in working with health system data, working with various computers, and working with data management software. He described his work as “taking 23,000 lines of data, cleaning it up, and making a one-page graph”.

After retiring in 2008, he started a company, Bonnyfate Databases, to create MS Access databases for various clients. His company has become an umbrella organization for other tasks such as teaching adults to use Microsoft applications, video editing, videographer, and general laborer.

For fun, Bob reads detective and mystery novels, watches movies and TV programs using streaming platforms, plays tuba in the Halifax Concert Band, and occasionally plays his ukulele or acoustic guitar or bass guitar.

During COVID, with the closures of activities like festivals, he began activities as a virtual volunteer. He has become good at using virtual meeting software, such as Zoom.

Breanna Boyce is a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter living and working in southern Minnesota. Having a background in theatre, Breanna loves any chance to be involved in a various performance-based opportunities. She is happy to work with Light in the Well to provide ASL services while enjoying music from a great group of musicians!

Caitlin Lucic is a free-lance percussionist, drummer and marimbist residing in the Twin Cities. She is also a music educator with over 20 years of experience teaching percussion, early childhood music and general music to musicians ages infant-102. Since 2015 she has taught at MacPhail Center for Music where she is a Sing, Play, Learn with MacPhail®, School Partnerships, and MacPhail Music for Life instructor. Caitlin is also a frequent children’s music presenter, providing engaging percussion workshops/camps that focus on world music, literacy and environmental stewardship.

Caitlin has performed with various artists and arts organizations including Celtic Woman, Lorie Line’s Pop Chamber Orchestra, The Chanhassen Dinner Theaters, The Children’s Theatre Co., Youth Performance Company, The Phipps Center for the Arts, Lyric Arts, The Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, and various other organizations in the Twin Cities and Hartford, CT area. She is excited to join the team for Light in the Well!

Caitlin holds a M.M. degree in Percussion Performance from The Hartt School of Music and a B.M. degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She holds a MN teaching license in K-12 Instrumental/Classroom Music Education from the University of MN-Twin Cities. In 2018, she was awarded the James. E. Ericksen Professional Development Grant in conjunction with MacPhail Center for Music. Caitlin utilized this award to study jazz improvisation, world music, and drum set at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Dr. David Hagedorn.

Caitlin is also active in her church community at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, MN where she plays marimba and drums/percussion. When not performing or teaching music, Caitlin enjoys traveling, hiking, biking and exploring the outdoors with her husband and twins.

Carlo Yao is a retired professional dancer now turned Financial Analyst and Videographer here in the Twin Cities.

Since an early age doodling Spider-Man on chalkboards and book covers, he’s always been in love with creating things. There’s just something so amazing about creating something out of nothing with just your imagination. This is why he eventually fell in love with dance. After an accomplished professional dance career in hip-hop, he’s stepped away from it, but he’s found a new creative outlet in videography. Carlo works for Lyon Motions as a videographer, he’s worked with the Landmark Center in St. Paul, and he also works with local Minnesota businesses in the fitness industry.

When he’s not doing videography work, you can catch him at one of three places. You can catch him at home dancing in the kitchen while he cooks for his wife and two kids. You can catch him back-seat coaching his kids basketball games from the stands. Or you can catch him in the gym, again, trying to create something amazing out of nothing. This is Carlo in a nutshell, and he’s excited to be a part of this experience!

When I started studying at the University of Puerto Rico, I planned to pursue a career in science. It was at that time that I realized that photography is an amazing tool…for artists, scientists and especially journalists. That is when I decided to enroll in the School of Communications and Journalism at the university. After completing my Bachelor’s degree, I started working in radio and TV, but also did some freelance photography for advertising firms and newspapers. I was then hired as a Staff Photographer for The San Juan Star, a daily, bilingual newspaper. I covered all types of assignments, but mainly focused on entertainment, sports, restaurants, and travel. Five years later I was appointed Photo Editor and two years after that, Photography and Graphics Editor. Besides covering all kinds of assignments, I had the opportunity to design and develop “Scene Magazine,” a Fashion-Entertainment publication that ran in the same newspaper. Four years later I also worked on the “evolution” of that project, “San Juan City Magazine,” a high-end, multi-topic magazine. What I loved most about photojournalism is that I was able to tell a story with my camera and at the same time continually learn new things. After 27 years as a photojournalist and editor, I moved with my wife and son from Puerto Rico to Minnesota. I currently work for Minneapolis Public Schools as an Interpreter for Early Childhood and Special Education. I also teach photography at Jefferson School Community Education Program for adults.

Carolyn first met Wu and Philip as a clarinet player in 2019’s Curse of the Vampire Orchestra. A student of theatre, music, and the Bible, Carolyn considers herself an artist in many fields. She currently lives in West Des Moines with her husband and two sons, and serves as Youth Pastor of Imani Family Church, while enjoying the occasional design project on the side.

Carter Andreasen is a violist originally from Moorhead MN, now a Freshman at the U of M, Twin Cities. He started playing viola in elementary school, and has since gained lots of experience in orchestra, chamber, solo, pit, and gig settings. Carter played in an auditioned regional orchestra throughout middle and high school, as well as participating in multiple orchestras, required and extracurricular, through Moorhead High School. During his time in high school he picked up violin and performed in various pit orchestras for musicals on both violin and viola, alongside leading a quartet that performed throughout his community. Carter also participated in all three years of his MN All-State HS Orchestra eligibility, earning principal chair his senior year. He continues to be active in chamber settings and orchestra in college, and takes lessons under the violist Nicole Swanson.

Charlene Hess started playing violin at the young of age 5 when the Suzuki method was first being introduced to American string pedagogy. As she furthered her instruction, she studied at the University of Nebraska with Arnold Schatz, a former student of Ivan Galamian. After high school she went on to study violin as a career and graduated with a B.A. in Violin Performance from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN and later received a Masters in Violin Performance from the University of Minnesota having studied with world-renowned teachers, Roland and Almita Vamos. She has since performed in the Twin Cities for almost 25 years, free-lancing in a variety of settings with chamber orchestras, string quartets, duos, as well as solo violin. She has performed in parts of Europe and throughout the United States during her career and played in churches and concert halls as well as venues for weddings, receptions, and studio recordings. She also works at North Central University in Minneapolis, MN where she teaches private violin and viola and coaches the string ensemble. She is very grateful to have had music as a career while also being able to have a family. She and her husband live in the city of Minneapolis with their 3 daughters and dog, Percy.

Christine Yaeger is a creative artist and poet specializing in watercolor and calligraphy. Inspired by nature, color, and emotions, she creates art for connection and encouragement. Find her online at LoveOutrageously.com or Instagram @Love_Outrageously

Hi! My name is Dave Fallon. I am a photographer and painter who celebrates the human form while also challenging destructive narratives about beauty, gender identity and race. I believe beauty is all around us. In my art I show people that.

I work primarily in black and white photography and abstract painting. I use my camera to capture a moment, I use my brush to explore the mysteries of the moment. I also experience Synesthesia, a neurological phenomenon that allows me to hear music in color. When I paint, I use my synesthetic experiences to create my color palettes.

My art reflects my life experiences. My struggles and successes, and everything in between. Whether making art or living life, my mantra is ‘trust in the process’. Life is a process; the only constant is change. Art is a way for me to affect positive change. That gives me hope, and that is why I make art.

Photo and website links:
Davidfallonart.com
Bamphotography.org

Hi! I’m DONNA RAY — Ceramic/potter/sculpture artist. I am a part of the 21st century artist leadership movement.

Throughout my career as a differently abled artisan, community engagement activities & projects have first educated than inspired me to create more social justice worldly art. Using the process of writing/creating vignettes I give life expression to my art. The work presented in this show is about musical instruments rattles & rain sticks and one magical creature Komodo Dragon Fly.

I have been a ceramic artist for over 20 years. As a curatorial student member of The Fearless Artist cohort 4. I was able to successfully curate my 2nd solo show through a residency sponsored by the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery. The title Women’s Equity and Gender Fluidity (3A’s) Education, Finance , and Real Estate. The very first solo show I had & did not curate titled Black & White with a touch of color was through; Art for all Stephanie Evelo art.ici.umn.edu

Currently I am a resident studio artist at Northern Clay Center located in south Minneapolis.

Drew Kinkade is founder of Flavor World, a Creative Brand operating out of the Twin Cities. They make clothing, videos, music, and visual art. They have recently expanded the brand into a record label, capturing audio and video recordings of many Twin Cities bands performing in the Flavor World studio. Because of Flavor World Records, I have been spending a lot of time around musicians, quickly growing a love for all that music can do for individuals and a community!

Elisa Berry Fonseca is an artist and an educator.

As a visual artist, Elisa creates large-scale immersive installations that playfully facilitate an encounter with nature, from which we are so often estranged. Having spent several years primarily invested in the “art” of raising two children, Elisa is currently working to cultivate communities in which All People gather to experience an encounter with the presence of God.

Elisa graduated with a BA from Macalester College, an MFA in Sculpture from the University of Minnesota and an MA in Religion and Art from Yale University. She has taught studio art and art history at the University of Minnesota, the Blake School, the University of Saint Thomas, Pratt Institute, and Pfeiffer University. Her work has been showcased across the U.S. and at the Beijing film academy. She has received grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte, NC, and the Louisville Institute.

Emily is a cello player, a physical therapist, and a PhD student studying treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders at the University of Minnesota. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Minnesota Program in Physical Therapy after receiving a Bachelor of Arts in music from St. Olaf College, and has a passion for treating performing artists. In her free time she enjoys time with her husband and two kids as well as baking and decorating elaborate cakes.

Ethan had a rough start in life, born weighing less than a pound. In 2000, he had the honor of being the smallest baby born to survive at Fairview Hospitals. The struggles of such a tiny baby left him with disabilities. He is blind and autistic; and has cerebral palsy, hearing loss and a stutter. In spite of his challenges, he is genuinely happy. He is drawn to laughter, crowds and music. Even when he was a preemie in the hospital, he’d bounce his arms and legs when he heard music with a good beat. Ethan’s grandmother introduced him to the piano at age 2, and he’s been playing ever since. Today, he plays keyboard in two rock bands—3 Strings in Minneapolis and Macphail’s own Rock On. He likes almost every genre of music from K-Pop and Afrobeat to Schubert and Broadway. There’s only one genre he avoids, but you’ll have to ask him to find out what it is.*

*It’s country music.

Eva Reed is 23 years old and lives in Bloomington. She spent ten years dancing with the Young Dance school and Company. In 2019, an original work of Eva and a friend/collaborator was chosen to be featured in the Walker’s Choreographer’s Evening. She also enjoys creative writing and spending time with family and friends. Eva works for the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota.

Ferol Jeanne Grode is a 28-year-old young lady.  She was born with a chromosome mutation called Partial Trisomy 13.  Ferol loves her brother Kegan and has many wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins and grandparents.  Ferol loves to go to her day program at Chisago Lakes Achievement Center.  She also enjoys horse therapy, music therapy, riding her bike, being on the computer and going on pontoon rides.  Her favorite time is spent with her Aunt Laurie watching Blues Clues.

Ferol has had multiple surgeries to repair her cleft lip and palate, two cranial surgeries, a major jaw surgery and foot repair surgery.  She has regular occurring seizures and is developmentally delayed.

Despite all her disadvantages, Ferol is a very happy, fun loving, try anything kind of person. She loves to laugh and be silly.  Ferol’s family has been very blessed to have such a wonderful person in their lives.  She has shown us that with God, everything is possible and to never give up.

Hi! My name is Flora Sida Sebit. I love to paint, sew, garden, and dance. My favorite music is afrobeat for workout. I was born in Africa and came to the USA in 2019. I would like to help orphan children. I am an orphan too but not anymore.

Garrett Young is a photojournalist, videographer and producer.  He has worked in the Twin Cities for over 30 years filming stories for local and national television networks. While he has won multiple awards, he feels he knows a little bit about everything but is an expert in nothing.  Garrett’s favorite stories are about everyday heroes overcoming challenges in their life.

In addition to his film & video projects for non-profits, he is currently filming a documentary about Music Therapy and how it can make a difference for individuals and their families.

Gavin is a 13 and an 8th grader at Providence Academy.  He has studied percussion for the past 5 years with Derrick Raiter.  He’s an All-State percussionist and a member of the Minnesota Youth Symphony (MYS) Philharmonic Orchestra as well as Providence Academy’s Middle School Band and Jazz Band.  He loves academic learning (including Latin!), hockey, lacrosse, and has his black-belt in Kung Fu.  Gavin performed last year in The Kid production and is excited to be making his orchestral debut in Light in the Well!

Light in the Well has a very special place in my heart. My name is Grace Koch Muchahary and I am originally from India. I am currently pursuing my Master of Arts in Leadership program at Augsburg University. I have been involved with Light in the Well since 2021 and I am looking forward to being part of this amazing project every year. I love how this project portrays the life stories of our wonderful friends who have disabilities with amazing music. Every time I talk and share about this project, I feel very blessed. Sharing their stories through music is a truly life changing experience for me. God bless!

Hannah is a freelance American Sign Language interpreter and a Support Service Provider (SSP) for DeafBlind Services of Minnesota (DBSM). She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in ASL Interpreting last May from North Central University and is currently pursuing certification. Her Minor is in Intercultural Studies. In Hannah’s free time, she enjoys hanging out with her close friends and family, watching movies, and going on walks.

Ivory Doublette has performed regionally with MainStreet Theatre in Rancho Cucamonga, CA; The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, IL; and locally with Frank Theater, Jungle Theater, Theater Latté Da, Penumbra Theatre, Ordway Center, Park Square Theatre, The Playwrights Center, History Comes to Life, Intermedia Arts, Children’s Theatre Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Old Log Theatre, Nautilus Music-Theater, Interact Theater and Illusion Theatre. Ivory is a Faculty member at MacPhail Center for Music. She also sings with her family’s Gospel Quartet, SeVy (Say-V) sevygospelquartet.com. Ivory has a Bachelors in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She is an AEA member.

James Johnson, born in October 1999 in Maryland, now lives in Elko, Minnesota. He graduated from the Lakeville South High School in 2018.

James was diagnosed with classic autism at age 2. He showed inclination towards music and began taking piano lessons at age 4.  His first teacher identified him as having absolute (perfect) pitch. Even with this ability, James has required many hours of lessons, daily practice, and support to become a public performer.  At age 16, with support, he began volunteering his piano performances at local senior homes and hospitals.  Since completing high school, James has been performing weekly at the MSP airport, senior homes, and on occasion, weddings and special events. His business AbiliKeys in Autism advocates for those like him – on their ABILITIES.

Since 2018, with support, James has also been taking music classes at Normandale Community College. He likes being busy and having a routine.

Jane was moved when she first heard about the vision behind Light in the Well: to honor and celebrate the rich stories of individuals who live with a disability. As a pediatric Physical Therapist, she feels grateful to work with amazing children who, along with their loving caregivers, bring such remarkable joy and inspiration to those around them. Jane loves music and plays the flute and piccolo in Light in the Well.

Jane is a native of Great Britain and has resided in Minnesota since 2003. She earned her bachelor’s of music with an emphasis in piano performance from the University of Saint Thomas. Jane earned a master’s degree in music therapy from Augsburg University. She currently works in inpatient psychiatry. Jane has published several teaching pieces for piano as well as a collection of Celtic-inspired piano music. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her four kids and husband

Jeremy Swider is an active violinist in the Twin Cities area. He performs regularly with his wife, violinist and violist Krista Broadway Swider as the Broadway-Swider Duo and in the Sonorous String Quartet. Jeremy and Krista also perform string parts as members of the Americana-Pop band, The Blacksmith’s Daughters, with whom they recently released a Christmas album, Forged at Christmas.

Jeremy has given several recitals with pianist Luke Swanger as the Swider-Swanger Duo. Jeremy can also be heard performing regularly on the worship team at Bethel Christian Fellowship in Saint Paul.

Jeremy Swider has been teaching violin and viola at the MacPhail Center for Music for over 19 years, where he has performed in a number of Spotlight Series concerts and Faculty Recitals. In addition to his private teaching at MacPhail, Jeremy also coordinates the chamber music program there and is the lead teacher for the Adult Chamber Music Camps each summer. Jeremy’s instructors on the violin have included Andrzej Grabiec, Young-Nam Kim, Judith Ingolfssohn, David Russell, Helen Richards, and Mary West.

Jessica feels honored and blessed to be able to use her gifts to spread love and joy to others. A graduate of Luther College with a degree in music and arts administration, Jessica juggles her time between being a wife, mothering her three middle & high school kids, filling her house with good food, volunteering at school and church and teaching private cello, piano and voice lessons out of her home. Connecting with Wu and Philip in 2019 as a part of the Curse of the Vampire Orchestra has led to all sorts of wonderful collaborations and she’s so happy to continue that connection as a part of Light in the Well this year.

Jon D’Arpino is communications/marketing professional with top level skills in writing/editing, graphic design, public/media relations, copy writing, speech writing, digital/print marketing, social media marketing, web content management, and presentation development. He has more than 20 years’ experience in producing a wide variety of cost-effective, customer-focused communications, marketing, and print/digital advertising material for audiences on all levels. He brings a passion to his craft and is skilled at creative compelling narratives.

https://www.falconmarcom.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-d-arpino-48390910/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buteo1959/

Jonathan is a sound engineer and has owned his own production company since 2017. He is also on staff at Substance Church in worship ministry. He works in venues all across the Twin Cities and is passionate about using music to help people.

Joseph has cerebral palsy but has never let it stop him from enjoying music. He was in choir throughout his school years. Currently he’s sings with the Glee choir with Highland Friendship club. Joseph also plays the acoustic guitar. He was originally self taught by watching YouTube videos. Now he has a great guitar teacher. A fun fact is due to his vision, Joseph can’t read music so he plays by ear. He’s excited to be part of Light in the Well.

Julian Malaby is a string bass player, electric bass player, and singer who recently graduated from St. Olaf College with a BA in Music and Russian Language. Due to his passion for music in any form, Julian was active in concert band, choir, jazz, orchestra, and many more musical scenes at St. Olaf. Having moved properly to Minnesota from California after graduation, Julian began working on the MacPhail Setup team in June and is eager to explore the Minnesota music scene in all capacities. He has always been an avid believer in the power of music to uplift voices, and as such is grateful and excited to participate in Light in the Well!

Justin has 12 years of experience playing the violin and is also a violin instructor. He has studied under Dragon Stokavic, Maureen Nilson, and Elise Parker.

Karen is a Santa Barbara-based illustrator and commissioned portrait artist. Her work includes several children’s books and promotional material as well as music, book, and magazine illustrations and covers. She wrote and illustrated “The President’s Pet.”

Her concept and editorial work have been for clients in entertainment, hospitality, institutions, foundations, and private ventures.

She is a member of The Society of Illustrators Los Angeles (SILA) and The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Kathryn Wehr is a Catholic creative artist, musician and scholar.  She has recently completed a year-long video collaboration series on a variety of faith and art topics on her YouTube channel (search Kathryn Wehr).  She has recorded three solo albums, the most recent of which is And All the Marys: Women Encountering Christ in the Gospels (2018). Her research specialty is the radio drama of Dorothy L. Sayers and has a forthcoming book about Sayers’ 1940’s radio series The Man Born to be King (IVP Academic, Summer 2022).  She has a PhD in Divinity: Theology, Imagination and the Arts from the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

Katie is a singer and educator who recently graduated from St. Olaf college. She is currently teaching elementary and middle school general music at The World Learner School in Chaska, MN. She has sung in several choirs throughout her life, including the St. Olaf choir for three years. Once she graduated college, she was given the eye-opening opportunity to be the music director for “Camp Under the Starz”, and musical theatre camp for kids with special needs. It was there that she discovered her love of working with the special needs community, and she hopes to continue that work in the future!

Katie Henry is a singer, songwriter, composer and piano instructor residing in Alma, Wisconsin where she and her husband operate the Big River Theater. In 2020 she attended Berklee College of Music online and graduated from Metro State with a degree music education. Along with writing and performing her own original music Katie has been playing a super creepy accordion in the Curse of the Vampire Orchestra since 2021.

Lester is a retired music teacher, a National Behavior trainer and consultant, an active volunteer with Special Olympics and Past President of the Arc of Minnesota and Arc Southeastern Minnesota. He has been a board member of a rural Disability Provider for 17 years and has been a constant advocate for people with disabilities for more than 40 years. His advocacy work has been with local, state and federal legislators in Minnesota and Washington D.C. He was on a number of committees at the Minnesota Department of Human Services and he spent 6 years as a member of the Minnesota State Quality Assurance Council. He is presently a member of the Institute on Community Integration Advisory Counsel at the University of Minnesota.

My name is Lillian Keliher. I like to swim, make stories, and read graphic novels. It is important for me to express myself in writing as my speech is not perfect. I can type. When I swim, I feel great, because my body listens to me. Other times my body doesn’t really listen to me. For example, I want to skip across the room, but end up galloping. I feel confident, free, and better when I swim. Another thing that makes me feel this way is blowing balloons.

Masha is my emotional support cat. She came to our family at the same time as Stella, my sister, was born. She always helped me when I was scared. I lay down with Masha, as she makes great healing for my tummy.

When I was 4 years old I got sick. First, my stomach was in pain. Then I got a sore throat. Then I could not open my mouth. My body went out of my control. I could not hold objects. I could no longer go downstairs without falling. Clothes felt horrible like thousands of tiny insects crawling on me. I felt like I was outside of my body and desperately trying to make this puppet move. I am still recovering from the sickness, but it does not define me. I still can create no matter what life is going to pour on my head.

Lily, a happy, energetic and brave 12-year-old girl, came home to Minnesota from China at age 3. She loves her Mom, Dad, sister Bethany and friends at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Hand in Hand Christian Montessori and Parkview school. Her favorite sport is Miracle League T-ball. She also participates in Special Olympics gymnastics. She has a love for swimming, all things outdoors and french fries. This is her first year of music therapy with Ms. Wu and she is learning to play the drum. Her middle name, Joy, sums up her personality. Her energy and enthusiasm for all of life is contagious.

Lisa Anderson Fratzke grew up in central Wisconsin spending weekends at the family cabin up north. Born into a family with a strong history as stewards of the environment she gathered an appreciation for nature and navigation of the forest. Lisa attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Her junior year she was given the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Nottingham, England, furthering her studies in Art Theory, Art History, and Photography. Upon returning to Luther, her main area of study was the human figure and oil painting, graduating with a BA in Studio Arts. Her travels both abroad and at home have fueled her passion for understanding the human experience, the human form, and our relationship with the landscapes we inhabit. She has had a number of local exhibitions both group and solo including the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, the Katherine E Nash Gallery and the MN State Fair. She currently lives in Minneapolis with her husband and daughter.

My name is Liv Peterson, I am fourteen and I am an eighth grader at south view middle school in Edina, Minnesota. My hobbies are volleyball, playing trumpet, and making art. I make art to inspire people and spread creativity. I feel so honored to be involved in this project!

Madelyn Herbrand has been a Board-Certified Music Therapist since January 2020. She currently works in adult inpatient mental health at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Madelyn works from a humanistic perspective, striving to meet each person where they are at to help them reach their goals through music. Madelyn had the opportunity to conduct music therapy research at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Her research can be found in the Psychology of Music Journal.

Madelyn has always had a passion for music and people. Having the opportunity to see how those passions can work together as a career is a blessing and privilege. Madelyn is so grateful to be a part of Light in the Well and hopes you find hope in the stories shared.

Mark Burnett joined MacPhail’s Music Therapy faculty in 2019. His practice and approach to music and music therapy is centered around the individual experience with a focus on happiness.  This requires a large toolkit of skills and methods which produce achievement of goals, objectives, and outcomes. His experience from 30 years of practice informs humble work toward the opportunity for growth, and a compassionate focus toward others.

Foundations of practice come from receiving a degree in music and music therapy from Radford University with board certification / concurrent from 1992. His experience is reinforced through a significant range of specialized training in sensory, neurologic, developmental, educational, behavioral health, and physical medicine and rehabilitation.  Mark’s skills are recognized through national and international presentations in music therapy and performances in various genres of music and theater on bass, euphonium, guitar, piano, trombone and voice. He has composed music for various artists, theater, film, and special education instruction.

His approach is humanistic, often supporting the discovery of music comfortably, with attention to the person and process experience. This approach helps create wonder, potential, and a purposeful result such as learning a lifelong skill through improved attention and sensory regulation; both strengths that go beyond the music and open up new possibilities. Sometimes these experiences translate into learning to walk, or move through music interventions that generalize to everyday skills and activities which can optimize functionality. Frequently music and music therapy sessions involve empowerment through musical communication and expression that connects, develops and validates growth and healing.

Mark Yannie has been playing Sax, Clarinet, and Flute in the area since 1999, has played professionally in the settings of jazz, symphonic, pit orchestra, and general business entertainment freelance as a woodwinds specialist. His groups: the Swing Trio, Jazz Quartet, Small Big Band, and Classical Duo can be heard locally in a variety of settings. www.livemusicjazz.com. He is also a member of the ACME Jazz Company Big Band and Chino Latino Latin Jazz Project. 

In the past, Mark played for many national acts, toured, freelanced for years in the Orlando/Tampa, area, and Cleveland, has toured with Melissa Manchester, the Glenn Miller, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestras and has had steady engagements with Norwegian, Princess, Scandinavian World Cruise Lines, the Grand Floridian, and Seaworld Renaissance Hotel. He has also backed-up acts including: Rosemary Clooney, Vic Damone, Lou Rawls, Patti Page, The Temptations, and Jack Jones. As an instructor he has been an adjunct at Crown College, North Central University, and College of St. Benedict/St. Johns University, and at Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Southwest Christian High Schools. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Music.

MAURICE JACOX is a bona fide legend in the Twin City music scene. He progressed from to flute to saxophone to vocals in his career starting out as a member of the iconic Willie and the Bumble Bees for 15 years. Then onto the R&B powerhouse, The Butane Should Review and fronting The Soul Tight Committee for 16 before moving out on his own to be front and center in the Nat King Cole tribute show, Straighten Up and Fly Right which took him all the way to Cuba to sing with the 350 member Cuban National Symphony Orchestra with Nachito Herrera. This multiple award-winning artist brings an organic blending of jazz, blues, R&B and soul to everything he’s a part of whether it’s “Stripped Down” with one of his trios/quartets or cranking his “sanctified” satisfying vocals or horn licks with his band MAURICE JACOX & We Still R. He is an eclectic mix of all these years of experience. To quote John Bream of the Star Tribune, “Mr. Everything”.

Melissa Wenszell Samborski, MacPhail Music Therapy Co-Founder, Senior Music Therapist, joined MacPhail Center for Music in 2001 as a board certified Music Therapist, becoming director in 2008.  She earned a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and earned a Masters degree in Music – Neurologic Music Therapy from Colorado State University.  She is a Fellow of The Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) and a trained neonatal intensive care unit music therapist (NICU-MT).

She has worked as a music therapist in a variety of settings, including health care units, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, schools, camps and correctional facilities.  As a music therapist at MacPhail Melissa works in individual sessions, groups, classes, and partnerships with clients of all ages and diagnoses.  She is experienced in team leadership, curriculum design, program development and supervision.

Melissa is also the clinical director of a university affiliated music therapy internship with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and serves as a practicum supervisor for Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota music therapy students.  Melissa has taught in keyboard, piano, guitar, basic percussion, accordion and vocal performance as adaptive lessons through MacPhail.

Melissa has presented at international, national, state and community conferences and for various community service and health organizations.

Melissa is a graduate of University of Northwestern, St. Paul, with several degrees including Elementary and Pre-Primary Education. During her time at Northwestern, she studied flute under Michelle Frisch, and toured as principal flute with UNWSP
ensembles around the midwest, England, Ireland, and Japan. She now plays with the Wooddale Church Orchestra and the Curse of the Vampire Orchestra.

Melissa enjoys spending time with her two young children and wonderful husband. When not playing the flute she can be found gardening, reading, or enjoying a cup of hot cocoa.

Murah is a recent graduate of University of Minnesota, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Viola Performance. She loves playing chamber music with friends and joining new and innovative music projects. Currently, Murah is the Head Music Librarian of Minnesota Youth Symphonies where she enjoys preparing music for the orchestras, coaching sectionals, and teaching lessons. She is a freelancing performing violist and has a passion for traveling, hiking, and cooking.

Nathan was born with Down Syndrome in Rochester MN on April 18 th , 1978. He grew up in Zumbrota MN and graduated from High School in 1997.

While in school, Nathan was active in band and choir and continues to enjoy music, dance movies and travel. He took dance lessons for a number of years and was a cast member in a local production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”.

Nathan was a member of the 1st adaptive cheer program in Minnesota that was featured on the Big Ten Network in 2009.

He has been involved in Special Olympics since the age of 8. In 2005 he was named the Special Olympics Minnesota Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year.

As a trained Global Messenger for Special Olympics he has given over 100 speeches across Minnesota about his Life with Down syndrome.

He has been an active interviewer for the Quality Assurance Licensing program for group homes in SE Minnesota, and a board member of Arc SE Minnesota.

Advocacy for the disability community has been a big part of his life working with local and national leaders to improve laws and regulations to give opportunities for more independent lives for people with disabilities.

In the last few years he has been writing and publishing poetry with the Cow Tipping Press. CTP gives people with disabilities an opportunity to express feelings and emotions about their lives. He has also been an apprentice and co-teacher for Cow Tipping Press. Recently he has been part of the interview team for new apprentices.

He lives in Richfield MN in a duplex apartment owned by his parents. He enjoys a more independent life with some staff assistance.

My passion for photography began during my trips to Africa, Turkey and Israel. From the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro to the halls antiquity, my desire to document the power of the world around me was forged.

In 2012 I graduated with BA in Islamic studies, and began working full-time at Leather Works Minnesota. It is here that I honed my skills in Editorial & Commercial Photography, design, and writing.

Make Well Company (http://www.makewellcompany.com) is designed to live in between the balance of the imagery that I create and the story we tell together.
It would be an honor to meet you, have a cup of coffee, and dream big.

Noah once asked if he could learn 50 instruments and have 300 hobbies. His family said, “Let’s start with a few and see where it goes.” Noah is blind and autistic, and has epilepsy. His disabilities haven’t slowed him down. Noah began piano lessons at Macphail a decade ago. He loves to play medleys from musicals and classical duets with his twin brother. He recently began learning the stand-up bass, which he calls his new favorite instrument. Noah is an actor at Interact Theater, and he loves being on the stage. He belongs to a tap dance company with performances at nursing homes and senior centers. He loves downhill skiing in winter and tandem bike riding in summer. Next on his list is to learn to ice skate and
water ski.

Paul Babcock has over 25 years experience teaching percussion/drum set. He enjoys working with students of all backgrounds to discover their passions for music and percussion to see how far they can go on this exciting journey.

Paul developed the MacPhail percussion ensemble Rimshots!, who have performed across the United States and abroad.

He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Music Performance at Monmouth College (Illinois), and a Master’s in Music Performance from University of Minnesota.

Philip Shorey, graduate of The Institute of Production and Recording in Minneapolis, is the composer and conductor of Light in the Well. He has been a composer in Minneapolis with theatre and film since 2003 and he sees himself as an activist for healing the human heart and strides to work his compositions for that purpose. His composition style reflects his classical piano background, traveling puppet show upbringing, and vast globe-trotting. He has traveled the world extensively with his toy theatre and has gained a wide understanding of art, music, culture, and the human condition. 

Rebecca is in the middle of a gap year and this upcoming fall will attend a school for violin performance. She enjoys playing/performing with her String Quartet through Artaria Chamber Music School. With her quartet they have played at the State Fair, ProMusica concerts, weddings, masterclasses, and most recently collaborating with Schubert Club to premiere a new work by/with Stephen Prutsman to a silent film. Over the years Rebecca has competed in YPSCA, MAM, and Mary West solo competition and has performed concertos twice with the Minnetonka Orchestra. Lately, Rebecca’s time is spent auditioning around the country and teaching violin and piano in her private studio. One of her missions in teaching and performing is creating moments of joy and exploration in finding one’s musical voice and a curiosity in the storytelling that artists and young musicians have. Outside of music, Rebecca enjoys time spent with family, friends, and playing hockey!

Rebekah is a 15-year-old pianist, dancer, worship leader and baker extraordinaire. She is a student of Yue Wu and has been playing piano since she was 7-years-old. Rebekah is excited to be making her orchestral debut in Light in the Well!

Sean Tsai was born in Taiwan, and moved to the United States when he was 2 years old. He is a Taiwanese-American product designer and illustrator. His work aims to tell stories of how people are valued in their own unique ways. Ever curious, his experiences growing up as a 2nd generation immigrant is a large influence in his pursuit of personal identity in America.

A native of Minneapolis, Shari Latz Rothman, harpist, has performed with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Celtic Thunder, the Los Angeles Master Chorale Sinfonia Orchestra, Josh Groban and Johnny Mathis. She has recorded with Prince, the National Lutheran Choir, and the Los Angeles-based rock band, The Velvet Chain. Shari has taught harp for over 25 years. She is on the faculty of The College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University and MacPhail Center for Music, where she teaches individual lessons in the studio and on Skype, co-directs the Arpeggio Harp Ensemble, and leads a summer harp camp for beginners. Ms. Rothman performs regularly throughout the Twin Cities with choirs, orchestras and chamber music ensembles, as well as at weddings, parties and community events.

Shari holds a Bachelor of Music degree in harp performance from the University of Michigan and the Master of Music degree in harp performance from the University of Southern California, where she was the recipient of a USC graduate teaching fellowship. Her primary teachers were Lynne Aspnes, Frances Miller and JoAnn Turovsky. Ms. Rothman helped revitalize the Weiger Lepke-Sims Family Sacred Music Award and created the ARCH Award for arrangements and compositions for the harp. She is a past President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Harp Society.

Sheryl grew up in a family of music.  She started studying piano at 4 and the bassoon at 8.  Her love of music and her instruments’  discipline has been a foundation of her life! Sheryl graduated from the University of Minnesota in Engineering and Music.  Her love and joys are her husband Steve, parenting her 3 teenage boys, and her music.  She is beyond blessed to be part of the Wooddale Orchestra and Woodwind Quintet and various ensembles within the Twin Cities.  She connected with Wu and Philip years ago and loves being part of their productions’ messages of Hope! She is so excited to be part of Light in the Well’s wonderful experience and tribute!

Influenced by her love of fairy tales, Tolkien, and the world music section at her local library, 2018 US National Scottish Harp Champion Stephanie Claussen plays concerts filled with Scottish tunes, Bach preludes, and sundry pieces either medieval or French. Claussen obtained her B.M. in harp performance from the University of Minnesota and now teaches and performs throughout the Upper Midwest.

As a recipient of the 2014 Arts Tour grant, Claussen toured outstate Minnesota with a program entitled “Eclectic Harp,” sharing music most people don’t expect to hear on the harp. In 2018 Minnesota Regional Arts Council’s Next Step Grant sent her to Scotland to attend the Edinburgh International Harp Festival. A two-time winner at the Master level in the Minnesota Scottish Harp Competition, in 2018 she competed at the Edinboro Highland Games in Pennsylvania and won the title of 2018 US National Scottish Harp Champion. Claussen has released five solo albums and two books of harp arrangements. When not making music, she enjoys repainting her walls and drinking English Breakfast tea out of a real teacup.

Thomas grew up in Minnesota. He enjoys music, and helps with the Light in the Well website.

Tina Marie Bevan is a professional artist who specializes in portraits and figurative work. Her primary mediums are Pastels, Watercolors and Oils. Inspired by the likes of Mucha, Klimt and a splash of Peter Max; Tina’s unique style is infused with color, flora, fauna with a touch of whimsy. A traveler at heart of both time and place… her desire is to capture the wonders and harmony of the world in her fluid, vibrant artwork. Please check out her website: https://www.tinabevanart.com

Yue Wu is the Founder and Executive Director of Light in the Well. She is a Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow and holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Minnesota Medical School. Wu is originally from China and has lived in Louisiana, Colorado, and Minnesota, where she met wonderful people who loved her and became her American family. Right now, she is working as a board-certified music therapist at MacPhail Center for Music, one of the nation’s oldest and largest community music schools, while completing her Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration. Her clinical practice goal is to enrich the lives of individuals with neurological disorders, terminal illnesses, and other medical conditions by building therapeutic relationships through music. Her research goal is to conduct and participate in innovative research and apply the findings to practical issues that matter.

Yuffie Hu joined the MacPhail Music Therapy faculty in 2019. Trained in guitar (acoustic and electric), piano, ukulele, and voice, she completed a clinical internship at Children’s Hospital of Minnesota and worked with children with ASD at Fraser. She has also worked in higher education and student leadership.

She believes that music is an extremely malleable modality that can provide significant sensory, neurological, and emotional impact on individuals. With her clinical training and experience, Yuffie is committed to helping children, young adolescents, and adults achieve their musical and/or non-musical goals.

She initiated a project on pronunciation guide on Hmong, Somali, and Spanish, three of the most commonly spoken languages in Minnesota other than English, to help staff and faculty members better serve their patients and clients, and to promote diversity of inclusion. She was also involved with Minnesota Chorale, Voices of Hope, and other community musical performances.

She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy Degree from the University of Minnesota.