Zionsville Monthly-August 2021 by Collective Publishing

MONTHLY

MATT ANDERSON

COLLECTIVE PUBLISHING PUBLICATION

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AUGUST 2021

ZIONSVILLE’S OLYMPIAN ON GETTING TO TOKYO AND BEYOND

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© 2021 Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

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Matt Anderson: Zionsville’s Olympian on Getting to Tokyo and Beyond We are proud to feature on this month’s cover Zionsville resident and USA Men’s Volleyball Olympian Matt Anderson. Anderson, an opposite/outside hitter, made his third appearance at the Olympics last month. Unfortunately, the U.S. Men fell to Argentina in the quarterfinals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. However, that result in no way lessens the spectacular career that Anderson has enjoyed which makes him one the sport’s greatest nor has it deterred Anderson from thinking about the next Olympics in Paris, France.

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Cover photo // Courtesy of USA Volleyball

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The Center for the Performing Arts Welcomes Zionsville Resident Ana Hammersley American Cabinets and Closets: Experts in Custom Cabinetry and in Building Up a Community Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael Presents Comedian Todd McComas! Discovering Broadway Inc. Features Local Talent in Season Finale Local Author Rob Harrell to Be Featured at The Guilded Leaf 17th Annual Book & Author Luncheon Carmel Welcome’s Osteria by Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani

ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY PUBLISHER / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803 PUBLISHER / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418 DIRECTOR OF SALES / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418 HEAD WRITER / Janelle Morrison janelle@collectivepub.com / 317-250-7298

ZCHS Grads Release Debut Album Created During COVID-19

AUGUST WRITERS / Janelle Morrison

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The Center for the Performing Arts Welcomes Zionsville Resident Ana Hammersley Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // The Center for the Performing Arts

Please join us in welcoming a new Zionsville resident and the new development officer for the Center for the Performing Arts and the Great American Songbook Foundation in Carmel—Ana Hammersley.

ecognizing that Hammersley brings a wealth of experience in performing arts fundraising, the Center for the Performing Arts and the affiliated Great American Songbook Foundation recently appointed her to serve both organizations.

MEET ANA HAMMERSLEY Hammersley has served previously in key fundraising positions at the Orlando Science Center and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, both in Orlando, Florida. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Rollins College and received training through its Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. She and her Hoosier husband recently relocated to the Zionsville area to live near family.

“My husband’s family is from the Danville area, and this job was precisely what I was looking for,” Hammersley shared. “We had our first child last June, and we had this urge to come ‘home’ to have grandma and grandpa nearby. We had been looking at the Zionsville, Brownsburg and Carmel areas, and Zionsville was a perfect blend of everything that is ideal for us. We’re in the Royal Run neighborhood, and it has the friendliest people I’ve ever met. ‘Midwest nice’ is real! And we have everything nearby— it’s amazing how everything has fallen into place for us in so many ways. We feel very fortunate.”

SETTING IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM GOALS In her new position, Hammersley will develop and manage fundraising campaigns focused on individual donors,

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including the annual fund and the planned giving program. She will forge new relationships locally and nationwide to expand the donor base for the Center and the Songbook Foundation. Hammersley shared some of her personal and professional goals as she settles into her new community and new role. “My personal goals are to get more entrenched into the Zionsville community where I live and the Carmel community where I work,” Hammersley said. “One of my immediate [professional] goals is to learn more of the history of Carmel and all the spaces that immediately surround the Center in order to really understand how we fit into the community.” Hammersley continued, “Of course, I’m on the development team, so my goals are always connected to supporting this

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THEATER AND FUNDRAISING GO HAND IN HAND In addition to being successful in the art of fundraising and arts development, Hammersley is also an accomplished performing artist as well. “I love being on the stage and being a performer,” Hammersley expressed. “With my chosen art form being improvised comedy and luckily having lived in Orlando, Florida, there is a fantastic improv theater called SAK Comedy Lab. That’s where Wayne Brady got his start, and it’s been running for over 25 years.”

Hammersley studied improv in college and has been a part of SAK’s professional ensemble since 2010. When asked how her improv abilities have helped her develop her abilities to fundraise and advocate for arts organizations, she replied, “Improv is a fun art form, and I’ve been lucky to do that throughout my adult life. It connects with what I do, and I joke about it all the time, but fundraising and theater have a lot of shared qualities that you wouldn’t expect. Every time someone asks, ‘How do you ask someone for money?’ I tell them that I’ve been in theater all my life—I’m not afraid of rejection.” Hammersley added, “I do think my improv work has made me a stronger fundraiser and development team member. It’s a strange marriage, but I really enjoy it.” The Center for the Performing Arts CEO/President Jeffrey McDermott shared his thoughts on what Hammersley brings to the team.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Ana’s track record and industry experience on our team,” McDermott stated. “Working with individual donors means a lot more than asking for money. Our donors provide wise counsel and serve as key community ambassadors, sharing our message and providing feedback that keeps us in tune with the needs of our patrons. Maintaining and building these relationships is vital to the health and strength of the organization.” For more information about the Center for the Performing Arts, visit thecenterpresents.org.

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beautiful Center for the Performing Arts that also includes supporting the resident companies and other community partners throughout the year. In order to continue the vision of elevating the arts and giving Central Indiana an opportunity to see incredible shows and engage in the educational and outreach programs that are available, we need financial and volunteer support as well.”

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AUGUST 2021

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American Cabinets and Closets:

Experts in Custom Cabinetry and in Building Up a Community Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Laura Arick

As anybody looking to do any kind of new construction or remodeling project knows—cost, quality and lead times are the most important factors, especially when people are having to choose between cost and quality in order to complete a project in a reasonable time frame.

ne locally owned and operated company, American Cabinets and Closets, doesn’t want you to have to choose between those factors anymore—they offer quality, competitive costs and reasonable lead times compared to their competitors. EXPERIENCE IS KEY American Cabinets and Closets Owners Melissa & John Adams have a family history in building and decades of professional experience in process

improvement for companies. Adams and his team are experts in “blending the best of the old and the new.” American Cabinets and Closets uses quality materials and high-end wood products—locally sourced—to build custom kitchen cabinets and organizational spaces. Adams and his team apply old-fashioned craftsmanship along with an incomparable work ethic and a high prioritization on customer service and satisfaction on every single job. He and his team also incorporate modern technology and specialized software that allow

them to be more efficient, cost-effective and to cut down on lead times. They also specialize in refacing existing cabinets for those looking to update their “look” rather than to completely remodel their living/ workspaces. “Because we own our own shop, we’re able to do any necessary adjustments in real time,” Adams shared. “As many people know, when you have custom work done in your home, things may fit exactly as planned or an item might get dinged or scratched in the installation process. A business that sells prefabricated cabinets will have to wait while a replacement is made and shipped—which could run a six to eight-week lead time. We can make the adjustments or a new door in our shop and delay the project only a day or two. That is one of the biggest advantages that we can provide designers, contractors or remodelers.” OPEN TO THE PUBLIC American Cabinets and Closets sells to the general public as well as to professional designers and contractors. Its showroom is open to the public as well, but appointments are strongly encouraged to ensure exceptional customer service. “In the showroom, customers will see samples of the different types of cabinets that we make, learn about how they’re constructed, as well as see a variety of samples of our high-end cabinet refacing options,” Adams stated. “They will see the difference between some of the franchised brands that do refacing and our refacing work. Additionally, customers can view doors styles, stain samples and color options right here in our showroom.” Adams added, “We carry five or six different lines of hardware for them to look at as well. We are more than happy to show people our workshop and walk them through our design/build/finish processes. We have customers who come in while we’re actually building their cab-

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inets, and they love to walk through and see their cabinets, etc., being built.” A COMMUNITY-MINDED COMPANY In addition to making everything locally, American Cabinets and Closets sources everything locally—either in state or from within the U.S. and Canada. “Our hardwood supplier, our trim and millwork supplier are local to Indiana,” Adams explained. “We use domestic plywood, and our finishing company is headquartered here locally. When somebody

is buying from us, they’re doing business with other local businesses as well. There are tons of ‘local’ cabinet shops, but they’re just dealers for mass-produced brands that may be produced in the U.S. or Mexico or China, whereas we make everything and use locally sourced materials and supplies as much as possible.” American Cabinets and Closets also prides itself on being a member of its Hoosier community in addition to being a reputable member of the local business community. Adams and his team support Magical Meadows, a therapeutic horseback riding center to help children and adults with physical and mental challenges, as well as sponsor Freedom Week. Freedom Week is an annual event for veterans and first responders. Each year over the 9/11 commemoration, Adams and his fellow hosts take a group of veterans and first responders on an all-expenses-paid fishing trip in Minnesota. “We take our boats up to Minnesota and take a group of guys out fishing ev-

ery day on the lakes,” Adams shared. “It’s a chance to decompress and relax. Last year, we had 17 guys on the trip with us. To see their reactions and what it means to these guys is unbelievable. It becomes addictive and makes you want to do it more and make it bigger every year. We’re looking for more guys with boats so we can take more [veterans and first responders] up.” So, if you’re looking to work with industry experts on your next cabinet, closet, wet bar, garage storage or custom built-ins project and would like to support a local business with a passion for customer satisfaction as well as for giving back to the community, please contact John or Melissa Adams at American Cabinets and Closets to schedule your visit to his showroom. Be sure to follow them on Instagram at american_cabinetry and call (317) 875-7453 or visit americancabinetsandclosets.com for location, hours of operation and to schedule your appointment!

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World Class Cabaret at Carmel City Center

September 2

September 9

“All the Way” A Frank Sinatra Tribute with Don Farrell Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael presents “All The Way” A Frank Sinatra Tribute with the talented Don Farrell

(See story our interview with McComas on next page!) Todd McComas is a former Marine and retired police detective who now makes his living as a standup comedian, podcaster and radio personality.

September 12

September 10 & 11

DON FARRELL

PHELPS CONNECTION

Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael is excited to premiere a Jazzy Brunch featuring the talented Phelps Connection! Gather and dine on a Creole inspired buffet brunch while taking in the sounds from some of Indy’s finest musicians. Kenny Phelps is known for his explosive groves and intuitive sense of musicality and has influenced countless musicians around the world of all ages. Kenny’s twenty-five years’ experience of playing and touring has allowed him to masterfully adapt to a wide range of musical styles. He has performed with an elaborate list of artist from Wynton Marsalis, Eartha Kitt, Michael Brecker, The Debarge Family, to Slide Hampton, Wycliffe Gordon, Chuchito Valdes to The New York Voices. Currently Kenny is a member of the Dee Dee Bridgewater Quintet.

TODD MCCOMAS

BULLETPROOF SOUL BAND Indianapolis native trumpeter, singer, song writer, Derrick-Droq Muncie, has been a major driving force behind the original, jazz and soul scene. As front man for the Bulletproof Soul Band, his soon-to-be-released premier album, recorded at Pop Machine Studios Indianapolis, by Grammy nominated producers, Marc and Eric Klee Johnson, has already garnered international attention.

September 24 MARISSA MULDER

September 25

“I’ll Follow the Sun” – The Songs of Lennon & McCartney featuring Marissa Mulder Stephen Holden, Nightlife Critic for the New York Times wrote, “a sparkling, perfectly pitched vocalist...Ms. Mulder sang as if the songs were torn from inside her and reduced the room to a hushed silence. Far and away this year’s best cabaret show.”

NICOLE HENRY

“Feeling Good” featuring Award Winning Vocalist Nicole Henry Award-winning jazz vocalist Nicole Henry follows up her Cabaret Award nominated show I Wanna Dance with Somebody: The Songs of Whitney Houston with a fresh and reviving line up of songs to celebrate her new single release, “Feeling Good.” Songs from Broadway, jazz standards and 1970s pop will take you on a journey through life, love, self-discovery and acceptance.

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1 Carmichael Square, Carmel, IN For tickets go to feinsteinshc.com or scan QR

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Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 Doors 6:00 p.m. Showtime 7:30 p.m.

Presents:

Comedian Todd McComas! Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted

Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael is proud to present comedian Todd McComas! Todd McComas is a former Marine and retired police detective who now makes his living as a stand-up comedian, podcaster and radio personality. Many people know him from his time hosting Heartland Radio, as a member of “The Pat McAfee Show,” “Barstool Heartland” and his frequent appearances on “The Bob & Tom Show.” Todd now hosts the popular true crime podcast “10-41 with Todd McComas” and the comedy podcasts “Doc Heads” and “FUNTOWN.” His comedy album “Cop Stories” is available on Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify and Pandora. Todd can also be heard regularly on “Raw Dog Comedy” on Sirius XM.

njoy a prix fixe menu before the show. There is a $25 food and beverage minimum per person. Tickets are available at feinsteinshc.com. Janelle Morrison: I’m curious about the evolution of your career. You were a Marine and police detective for 21 years before you became a comedian and professional podcaster. Let’s start from the beginning— where are you originally from? Todd McComas: Originally, I am from Decatur County—just outside of Greensburg. I was raised in the country. We ended up living on my grandfather’s farm, and I would have to ride my bike probably 45 minutes to my nearest friend. We were out in the middle of nowhere, and I was not a “farm” kid. It just wasn’t in my DNA. I was a city kid plopped in the middle of a gigantic family tree that was meant to live in the country. They loved to hunt and fish and skin things, and I was a mild-hearted little kid that fell immediately in love with animals and didn’t want to eat them.

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JM: Is this when you started to develop your sense of humor—as a survival tactic? McComas: I embraced the fish-out-ofwater part of myself, and to do so, you have to be self-deprecating. I had to accept that I wasn’t as tough as my cousins, and I wasn’t going to grab this chicken and hold it down while somebody cuts its head off. But I’ll sit in the background and make jokes about it. So, yeah, I think that’s how it all started. JM: What made you decide to join the U.S. Marine Corps and then join the Indiana State Police Department? McComas: I was a good athlete. I mean, I wasn’t going to go pro or anything, but I was going to play college basketball in Vincennes University, but I just blew it off because I had zero discipline. I decided to join the Marine Corps. My dad was a Marine, and what better place to learn how to be disciplined? I became a Marine, and by the time I left there to go back to school, I was a hard worker and knew how to devote myself to projects and became obsessed with completing things. I was a military policeman in the Marine Corps. I was actually a Marine Corps reservist but was activated during the Gulf War. And when you’re a very elite member of the Marine Corps like I was, something that they do in every war is take a group of people like me and put them as far away—geographically—as possible from the actual war. So, they put us in Norway. In case Saddam Hussein was going to take a turn and come at us from the very far north— like the North Pole. JM: Did you decide that you wanted to be a cop based on your experiences as an MP?

McComas: I worked on a base for about a year because they had frozen rotations for the Marines [in the Gulf] to come home, and so we were fulfilling active-duty roles, and I ended up in South Carolina. Being an MP was not really police work. It’s more like you stand around a [military] plane and make sure nobody messes with it or you are standing at a front gate and wave cars in. When there’s an officer in the car, you salute them. That’s your job, and it was boring. I had all these members in my units that were police and state troopers, and they would tell these awesome stories about car chases, bank robberies, and I was like, “Wow—I want to do that!” When I got out of the Marines, I applied at every big police department in the Midwest—probably 12 different departments, including Indianapolis, Carmel and Indiana State Police. The Indiana State Police hired me, and the rest is history. JM: You weren’t in uniform long before you became an undercover cop. McComas: I only spent 15 months in unform. I became a detective very quickly. That was another point in my life where humor was very important. As a cop, you’re in competition with some of the greatest storytellers that walk the planet. There are cops that are amazing storytellers. There’s always competition for who’s going to tell the parts of the story [from a big raid or chase that happened], and eventually, everybody would leave it to me to tell the story. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was practice for how my comedy would eventually end up.

JM: Where does Pat McAfee come into your story? McComas: I started [my comedy routine] with short little jokes and observational stuff like, “Don’t you hate this at the airport…”and stuff like that. Eventually, a buddy of mine was like, “Hey, you’ve got all these cool stories that you tell us from back when you were a cop. You need to tell those stories.” That person was Pat McAfee. He had heard me tell these on open mic night. They weren’t part of my hourlong set yet. And I wasn’t allowed to talk about [being a cop] for a long time. The fact that I was [actively] undercover, on a stage in front of a group of people, doesn’t lend itself well to “Hey, you guys wanna hear about me being a cop?” When I left undercover [duty], I was allowed to start talking about being a cop and incorporated those stories into my headlining set. I work so hard in comedy, and thankfully when Pat McAfee gave me an opportunity to do radio and podcast shows and standup comedy, I jumped at it. JM: Was there a moment or moments that impacted you so greatly that it helped develop you as the person you are today? McComas: There are a couple of moments in my career that were real milestones, that gave me a sense of why I was put on this earth. There was a case where me and another large group of detectives rescued a woman who was kidnapped and held for ransom. It was just like the movies—she was taped up in a hotel room with a person holding a gun. We were able to covertly find her, kick in the door and save her. That was a moment where I was like, “OK—this is real. There are lives at stake.” I had worked a variety of crimes—everything from check fraud to murder—but that was one of the moments that was intensely real for me. As far as who I am as a person, I went into the world of undercover for so long, I really developed an appreciation for who was on the other side of this. There is evil walking the planet. I’ve seen it. I’ve looked it in the eyes. But there are also people who commit crimes who are otherwise good people. They came up

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me a broad familiarity with the world. No matter where I’m at, I can always relate to people.

under different circumstances or fell into a desperate situation or were weak in a moment. It’s so easy to develop an “us vs. them” mentality, but when you go undercover and you’re spending time with people, I saw more causation of crime— environmentally and situationally. It really changed my mindset, and it gave

JM: Throughout 2020, the entertainment industry took a big hit not being able to perform live shows. We lost these outlets at which we could come together and explore and create humanity. What are your thoughts on the pandemic’s impact on comedy and on our society? McComas: When we lost our ability to travel and to mix with strangers, we went to our primal instincts. The world developed an “us vs. them” mentality because we weren’t mixing with people with different opinions, religions and backgrounds. We were locked down in our own little neighborhoods. This will make an interesting behavioral analysis study at some point. As far as comedy was affected, if you can get everyone to laugh at the same thing, which is not as easy as it looks, you see people start to relax and let loose

with laughter. I’m still seeing crowds take longer to let their guard down, but it’s my job to make sure this happens, and it’s super rewarding because you see their mind’s eye go back to a time when they didn’t have to worry so much about things, and it feels really good. JM: What can people expect to experience at your show when you come to Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael? McComas: I love nothing more than an intimate show. I will tell my story through my experiences as a child, a Marine, a cop and a father. I’m sharing the funny moments that shaped me. They weren’t necessarily funny when they were happening, but in retrospect— they’re hilarious. Follow Todd McComas on social media @ToddMcComas and check out his website at toddcomedy.com for a complete listing of his appearances, comedy schedule and documentaries. And be sure to check out his project involving the pop culture phenomenon “Tiger King.”

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Kelly Krauter

Joel Kirk

Kyle Caress

Season Finale D iscov er ing Br oa dway In c. F e at u re s Loc a l Ta le n t in

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of Discovering Broadway and staff

This month, the creative team of the new musical “Hamlet” participated in Discovering Broadway Inc.’s writers retreat program in Central Indiana. Discovering Broadway premiered songs in concert from the new musical, starring Jordan Donica (“My Fair Lady”) as Hamlet, Samantha Pauly (“Six”) as Ophelia, Adam Pascal (“Rent”) as King Claudius, and Bryonha Marie Parham (“Prince of Broadway”) as Gertrude in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre at the Indiana Historical Society. “Hamlet” is the third show to participate in Discovering Broadway Inc.’s writers retreat program, following May’s “Ever After” and February’s “The Devil Wears Prada.” The new musical is the final show of the nonprofit’s inaugural season.

A LOCAL POOL OF TALENT

ounded by Carmel native and CEO Joel Kirk, Discovering Broadway Inc. hosts Broadway creative teams in Indiana so they can develop their Broadway-bound new musicals and offer the public educational opportunities to learn about the process of making a musical. Discovering Broadway’s “Hamlet” featured eight performers and musicians from Carmel and Zionsville. Indiana cast members include Eric Wiegand (“Plaza Suite”), Kelly Krauter (“Waitress” second national tour), Christina Barnes (“Frankenstein”), Kyle Caress (“Cinderella” national tour), Jenn Maurer (“Elf the Musical” national tour), Sophie Miller, Jack Ducat and Jake Letts. When asked what the likelihood is

of some of the Carmel cast members to end up in the finalized production of “Hamlet”—on Broadway—Kirk shared, “Discovering Broadway is a launchpad for shows, and it’s also a launchpad for talent,” Kirk stated. “Most casting comes down to availability, and it comes down to what the writers of the characters envision their characters to be. This is really our first examination of what the music that has been written for those characters and what these actors do with the characters that they are given. I’m a kid from Carmel who’s directing a Broadway-bound show, so I believe that anything is truly possible.”

MEET SOME OF THE CAST FROM CARMEL AND ZIONSVILLE CHS Director of Choirs Kathrine Kouns shared her thoughts on what it

means to Kouns and her fellow directors to see seven of their former students continuing to develop their talents and follow their dreams. “We are so excited to be able to have so many of our Carmel Choir Alumni involved with Discovering Broadway and this current ‘Hamlet’ project,” Kouns stated. “In addition to the actors [highlighted in this article], Grace Plaskett and Elie Anania [CHS Choir Alumni] are also interns with the [Discovering Broadway] organization. This is such a great way to recruit young talent, try out exciting new projects and bring a bit of Broadway to our hometown here in Indiana. We are so grateful to Joel Kirk and the entire team of Discovering Broadway for their willingness to maintain their connection to Carmel High School and this entire community.”

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JAKE LETTS—CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL (2017) I love the idea of taking classic pieces like “Hamlet” and making them into more modern adaptations that would get younger audiences interested in the stories. I am very excited to work on this show with Discovering Broadway, not only because it is giving an opportunity to get back into a performing space but also because it allows me to meet and work with artists who I had always hoped to. For example, Cody Fry is one of the writers for the show, and I love his music, especially the song “Underground.” And Adam Pascal, who I’ve heard on so many albums and seen in videos, is playing Claudius, and he is such a respected performer in the Broadway community, so I am very honored to work with him. This place gives big opportunities to young performers, and that is really awesome. Just another way Carmel supports the arts!

college to New York. But my mind goes back to being in “Les Miserables” at Carmel High School in 2012. Joel Kirk played Thenardier, my brother Ryan played Jean Valjean, and it felt like every friend I had was in the show. It was a huge example of how magic a production can be when everyone pours their love and commitment into it. I’m so grateful and excited to work with Discovering Broadway. It’s such a privilege for any group of artists to get to gather in a room and dig into a piece, not just to make it to a curtains-up deadline but to be curious and discover how to get it to its fullest, most beautiful potential.

JACK DUCAT—CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL (2021) Since I learned about Discovering Broadway, I always wanted to do a show with them. I am more than overjoyed to be working with Discovering Broadway. To have a place like Discovering Broadway right here in Indiana is something that I have never seen before. The incubation process of art is brand new to me, and I think that Discovering Broadway’s creation and support of new works will open more students up to all the possibilities in theater, whether that is on the stage or behind it. I feel so lucky to get to work for this nonprofit. Not only will it be benefiting and educating students, but it will also support actors and writers, and it will be giving a space for artists to interact, meet and create something bigger than themselves.

JENN MAURER—CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL (2010) I’ve auditioned for a few of Joel’s shows before, but this is the first time we are working together in a professional setting. I grew up in Carmel, and when I heard about Discovering Broadway, I knew the city of Carmel would love an opportunity to support Broadway shows and performers. I think Joel is doing a wonderful thing bringing Broadway shows to Carmel. Without Discovering Broadway, Carmel has a booming performing arts culture. But with this addition, it can really bring some of the nation’s top talent to the city. Carmel has obviously already welcomed this endeavor with open arms, and I’m very excited to be a part of it all.

ERIC WEIGAND—CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL (2014) I’ve been so fortunate to have a lot of wonderful experiences in theater, from

SOPHIE MILLER—CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL (2018) This show caught my eye as Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is already one of my favorite pieces of theater. I love the story and think that each of the characters has depth and a unique outlook on life.

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I was intrigued by the pop musical take on the story and really thought it would be amazing to take part in this new work, written by a team of incredible artists. Working with Discovering Broadway has been a dream and continues to provide me with so many opportunities to learn from and perform with some of the best and most hardworking talent in the business. Artists can truly benefit from working with this nonprofit organization, while collaborating with a greater community of fellow performers and artists. Zionsville Showchoirs, Inc. Co-director/ZCHS Vocal Instructor Deana Broge shared her thoughts on Christina Barnes. “Christina was an enthusiastic and talented vocal music student of mine at Zionsville Community High School,” Broge said. “It was clear that she had a passion for performing at a young age, and it has been a pleasure to watch her follow her musical theater and acting journey. The tenacity, continued growth and patience it takes to be an actor in the middle of a global pandemic cannot be understated. I

am thrilled that Christina has connected with Joel [Kirk] at Discovering Broadway to continue her dreams in NYC. I am anxious to see what will be next for this amazing young woman!”

ately. Young artists become professionals, so without community support for young artists, there are no professional artists and no future for this industry! It is a NECESSITY for the community to support our young artists. I think Discovering Broadway is the greatest thing to come to the Indiana theater community. It has brought so many artists of all types/abilities/experience levels to Indiana and has really put our state on the map in the Broadway community. For artists like me, it creates amazing opportunities and connects us with these extremely successful, talented theater professionals. For more information about Discovering Broadway and its programs, visit discoveringbroadway.org.

TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEWS SCAN QR OR GO TO CARMELMONTHLYMAGAZINE.COM/ DISCOVERING-BROADWAY-HAMLETCARMEL-ZIONSVILLE-HIGHSCHOOLSGRADUATES/

CHRISTINA BARNES—ZIONSVILLE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL (2015) The first time I ever met Joel, he told me about this project, and I remember being obsessed with the concept immedi-

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The Guilded Leaf 17th Annual Book & Author Luncheon

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted

The Carmel Clay Public Library (CCPL) Foundation and its dedicated guild are pleased to be hosting The Writers at the Pavilion event on Oct. 6 at the Ritz Charles Garden Pavilion and The Guilded Leaf 17th Annual Book & Author Luncheon on Oct. 7 at Ritz Charles.

he Guilded Leaf events are the foundation’s signature annual fundraiser and help support the library’s expansive catalog of programs for all ages.

An Accomplished Author and Illustrator In addition to being a witty and likeable guy, Rob Harrell is an accomplished author and illustrator. Harrell resides

in Zionsville with his supportive wife, Amber. We had the pleasure of featuring Harrell on our cover of Zionsville Monthly back in October of 2018. Since that time, Harrell has published “Wink” (2020)

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I turn off my critical writing brain, and I get to let my imagination completely off the leash. It’s been so ridiculously fun to write and illustrate.”

and his latest release, “Batpig: When Pigs Fly.” The accolades are pouring in and are much deserved for this author’s unique ability to make his children’s books relatable to all ages and for being to transfer his talents as an illustrator/comic strip creator to writing and illustrating books for children. His book “Wink” has been

published in over 10 languages. A native Hoosier and DePauw University graduate, Harrell has previously shared his remarkable story of surviving an incredibly rare form of ocular cancer in his right eye that cost him his sight in that eye but has led him on an incredible journey as an author and artist.

Harrell’s past and current works include illustrator and creator of the syndicated daily comic strip “Big Top” and the creative source behind the long-running daily strip “Adam@Home,” which runs in more than 140 newspapers across the globe. He is the author and creator of the popular kids’ series “Life of Zarf.” His first hybrid novel, “Monster on the Hill,” was published in 2013 and was picked by Paramount and ReelFX and inspired a CGI animated film, “Rumble,” that is in production and slated to be released in 2022. Rob Harrell’s book “Wink” has gained critical acclaim nationally and was named by Time magazine as one of the 10 Best in the Young Adult & Children’s category. His latest novel, “Batpig: When Pigs Fly,” features a super-swine hero fighting for justice.

Meet Batpig—A Middle School Super-Swine “This graphic novel is the first of the Batpig series, which is sort of a spin-off

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from my novel ‘Wink,’ which featured a lot of cartoons drawn by the main character [a young middle school boy] that he dubbed ‘Batpig,’” Harrell shared. “The character worked through some of the things he was going through, like his cancer diagnosis, by drawing this superhero pig.” When “Wink” came out, Harrell said he received a huge response to “Batpig,” and his publishers asked if he’d have any interest in pursing a series on “Batpig.” “Of course, I had interest, those pages were so much fun to write,” Harrell expressed. “I turn off my critical writing brain, and I get to let my imagination completely off the leash. It’s been so ridiculously fun to write and illustrate. I’ve completed two [books in the series], and I’m about to do a third. There are a few lessons dropped in here and there, but more than anything, ‘Batpig’ is just ridiculous fun!”

When asked what it means to be invited as one of the six authors attending the The Guilded Leaf 17th Annual Book & Author Luncheon, Harrell said, “I can’t wait! Authors are some of my favorite people, and I love hearing them talk and hearing their stories. I am incredibly excited, and there’s something about being recognized in your home area. It’s really cool to be included [in these events] with the other authors.” Be sure to get your tickets to the The Writers at the Pavillion and The Guilded Leaf 17th Annual Book & Author Luncheon events! For more information, call (317) 814-3984 or visit carmelclaylibrary.org/guilded-leaf. And keep up with all the exciting news and official releases on Rob Harrell’s website, robharrell.com.

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Fabio Viviani Carmel Welcome’s Osteria by Celebrity Chef

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted

Carmel Market District is reimagining its restaurant space and is collaborating with renowned chef Fabio Viviani to open a new vibrant Italian restaurant—Osteria by Fabio Viviani. Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group expects to hold its grand opening in Carmel, Indiana, this fall. Chef Viviani is excited to share his rustic-yet-refined food-forward menu and restaurant that will exude a communal, neighborhood appeal. About Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group

hef Viviani is a celebrity chef, hospitality developer, bestselling cookbook author and TV host, well known for his appearance on the reality television competition series “Top Chef.” In 2005, chef Viviani moved from Italy to California where he opened his first U.S.-based restaurants and hospitality

ventures, all in the Los Angeles metro Area. In 2013, Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group decided to expand the hospitality business to the Midwest, Northeast and South, teaming up with several local operators to open several more restaurants in Chicago, Florida, Detroit and Oklahoma. Today, Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group owns and operates 40 food establishments across 28 different concepts in venues

including hotels, airports and casinos, plus fine dining restaurants. With over 10 million meals served each year, Fabio Viviani Hospitality is one of the leading restaurant groups in the U.S. “We’ve had a long-lasting relationship with Market District and Giant Eagle,” Chef Fabio shared. “They have several restaurants associated with their venues and are in need of operators. We are ex-

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We’re always trying to keep it traditional and keep it really truthful to the region where I grew up.”

panding, and it was just a good fit. Carmel is a great demographic for us. And the ability for us to be associated with such a great grocery store—as a restauranteur in the food and wine business—is like having Disneyland in our backyard.” Carmel Market District will serve as Osteria by Fabio Viviani’s largest pantry of fresh products with additional sourcing from chef Viviani’s most trusted partners, both domestic and overseas. In collaboration with the incoming executive chef team, Osteria’s menu will be carefully curated by chef Viviani and include a variety of authentic Italian flavors mixed with Indiana-inspired staples.

A Return to Rustic Italian Roots Chef Viviani and his highly skilled team have completely transformed the former Table by Market District located at 11505 North Illinois Street, adjacent to Carmel Market District. This fall, guests of Osteria by Fabio Viviani can expect to enjoy an upgraded restaurant layout, updated stone-edged bar top, clean and crisp

design elements and elevated artwork capturing Osteria’s rustic Italian roots. “Italian cuisine is Italian cuisine, after all,” Chef Viviani stated. “Every new chef, every new person who opens an Italian restaurant brings their perspective, their culture and their taste to the table. We have vast knowledge of Italian food, not only because I was actually born and raised there—which gives me the [home] field advantage—but because we already operate several restaurants in the genre in many different communities.” Chef Viviani continued, “We always try to bring the better mousetrap to the table. How many meatballs can you possibly do? We’re always trying to keep it traditional and keep it really truthful to the region where I grew up. We also implement what the local communities have to offer and shop local. We’re going to include the [local] players in the community and bring their elements to our table.” Chef Viviani is known for continually developing new flavors and sharing recipes that inspire a seasonally charged

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menu. Guests can expect to find robust dishes on the Osteria menu like Fabio’s famous meatballs, refreshing and crisp chopped salads, savory Italian pizzas, sizzling steaks and seafood cooked to perfection and more. “Everything is made from scratch and is made according to a traditional method of cooking,” chef Viviani said. “What we’re trying to do is provide a dining experience that pleases different aspects of the

community. Whether you’re a family with kids that want to come in for a quick pizza and good food, or you want to have meal to impress your loved ones and friends, or [you want to] come in for a business lunch or dinner, Osteria will wear many hats based on the time of day, the day of the week and the occasion.” To accommodate the grand opening, Osteria by Fabio Viviani is actively recruiting servers, cooks, hostesses and other

positions for the restaurant with plans to have a staff of at least 50 employees. To view current openings, please visit bit.ly/ OsteriaJobs.” To learn more about Carmel Market District, visit marketdistrict.com. For updates on Osteria by Fabio Viviani, connect with the restaurant on Facebook and Instagram.

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ZCHS Grads Release Debut Album Created During COVID-19 Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Michelle Boulos

Zionsville Community High School 2021 graduates Jack Schrepferman, Cooper Davenport and Evan Emsley recorded and professionally distributed/released their self-titled debut album under the name “Arboretum” on June 11, 2021. The self-described indie rock, pop and folk album has been streamed 26,000plus times across all major streaming platforms and has been picked up by several official Spotify playlists.

spoke with these incredibly talented and thoughtful young gentlemen about the genesis of their friendships, the creation of their band and what their futures might hold. The fact that this album was a total DYI project—produced and mixed entirely by Schrepferman in his basement storage room/studio—and was written and recorded over the course of a year by these three artists without professional assistance makes for interesting story worth celebrating.

cess to this quality education remains a very strong part of their musical identity even though the majority of the album is filled with loud drums, screaming guitars and synthesizers. The musicians do retain their roots, however, with moments such as a pop tenor saxophone solo on the album’s first track, “Grace.”

The artists are pleased with the exceptional streaming statistics and community support; however, they are by no means satisfied. They are already knee-deep recording a new project, running outside ad campaigns and seeking management as they begin college. Schrepferman shared, “Me and Cooper have been friends since first grade, and Evan I became friends our freshman year of high school. We’d all been friends and musically connected for a very long time. A little over a year ago, we came together after realizing that we had all been working on fun little projects, and we began writing contemporary music.” The three came together in 2020 and created their own creative outlet that provided a productive and positive release from what was happening in the community and the world around them.

AN INSPIRED TRIO The talented musical trio are all products of Zionsville Community Schools music programs and cultivated their musical theory and performances on concert band instruments. Ac-

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“When we were writing the album, we liked to go to Zion Park down by the water,” Davenport said. “We would bring our guitars and set up a hammock and create music together.” Emsley added, “I remember coming out of lockdown, and we hadn’t seen each other in a while. It was one of the first times that we were able to hang out again, and we decided to start working on the album, which was kind of cool.” When asked how much their experiences throughout 2020 played a role in developing the track list, Schrepferman replied, “The track list itself wasn’t planned out specifically. We would bring individual songs to each other, and the [track] list fell into place. Looking back, I can see most of our high school experiences summed up in an album. Which is cool because it wasn’t super intentional.”

you look at Zionsville itself. It means a lot to the three of us.”

SHOUT-OUTS TO SUPPORTERS The three young men expressed their sincerest gratitude to their families and friends for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout their musical journey that has only just begun. “One friend who helped us immensely on tracking bass for the album is Ronin Kiekbusch,” Cooper shared. “He is an amazing bass player in the jazz band and is a senior at ZCHS. He also plays in the local band ‘The Papercuts.’” The trio also threw a lot of love at their former teacher and mentor Aaron Coates, who instructed these three in AP Music Theory class as well as in Show Choir Combo. “He is one of the most charismatic teachers and people I’ve ever known,” Schrepferman said. “He’s incredibly talented, and to be in a class where your teacher actually does what they’re teaching was definitely inspiring to all of us.”

THE DYI MUSIC GENERATION The Gen X and older generations created several “garage-band” phenomena, and the younger generations are certainly taking advantage of modern technologies and have created new genres and techniques from their parents’ basements that, in the case of “Arboretum,” rivals the quality of any professionally recorded studio album. “Essentially, all of the recording process was done through the DAW Logic Pro Apple program,” Schrepferman explained. “It was all recorded, mixed, programmed and produced in the setup of our basement studio. I have a little storage room in the back corner. We’ve definitely been upgrading the equipment as we’ve been working. We recorded everything through a two-channel interface and layered every single layer on top of each other that had been recorded individually.” Schrepferman is currently studying audio engineering at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Cooper is attending the University of Virginia where he is studying engineering, and Emsley is at Purdue University where he is studying computer science. Though the three are at their respective universities, their work with their debut album and future albums is far from over. Schrepferman said, “We want to use everything that we’ve gained from this album, and we’re definitely not finished yet. We’ve been recording and have got some material that we’ve been working on. We will find chunks of time on breaks and in the summer to work on stuff remotely, writing individually and bringing it to each other. People can definitely look forward to more to come!”

Be sure to check out “Arboretum” on Spotify and iTunes and for all the band’s information/announcements, follow them on Instagram @arboretumcollective.

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THE MEANING BEHIND THE ALBUM TITLE “ARBORETUM” “We wanted to tie [the album title] to Zionsville because it shows our appreciation for the community and how living here has shaped our childhoods,” Cooper stated. “The single word ‘Arboretum’ is subjective and is widely appliable as a stand-alone word. But the meaning becomes a little more apparent when

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Matt Anderson Zionsville’s Olympian on Getting to Tokyo and Beyond Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of USA Volleyball

We are proud to feature on this month’s cover Zionsville resident and three-time USA Men’s Volleyball Olympian Matt Anderson. Anderson, an opposite/outside hitter, made his third appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, last month.

he U.S. Men fell to Argentina on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in the quarterfinals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, finishing with a 2-3 record. Obviously, not the finish the team worked for, but nonetheless, their nation and their supporters are immensely proud of their accomplishments, dedication to the sport and for representing the USA so honorably. We spoke with Anderson about his career and what it takes—in his words— to make it to the Olympics, not once but three times.

THE ROAD TO BECOMING AN OLYMPIAN Anderson was born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in West Seneca. He graduated

from West Seneca High School in 2005 and went to Pennsylvania State University. Anderson left college following his junior year to play professionally with the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers in Korea. He has also played professionally in Russia and Italy. At 25, Anderson was the youngest player on the 2021 U.S. Men’s Olympic Volleyball team. “I played a multitude of sports growing up,” Anderson shared. “When a family friend suggested that I try out for volleyball, it was something that I really liked, so I just kept playing. I was told that I was good, but if I wanted to get better, I’d have to start playing travel [volleyball]. My parents scraped together some money, and I started playing travel and

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got a little better in high school. Then I tried out for some other U.S. high-performance stuff, and I made a training camp one year as well. When I made the youth national team, I started getting recruited by colleges.” When asked about his decision to leave Penn State to go pro, Anderson replied, “I realized that professional [volleyball] was the next step for me, and if I wanted to potentially become an Olympian that playing pro was what I needed to do. So, I made that decision after talking with my college coach and my family about what it would take. Could I deal with being away from my family in a different country for eight months, and did I understand what it actually means to be a professional

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PLAYING AMID A PANDEMIC

athlete? It turned out that I didn’t, but I quickly learned.” Anderson was only 21 years old when he began his professional volleyball career. “The doors just kept opening, and I just kept walking through them,” Anderson reflected. “It was wild and fun and really hard work, but the joy that I got out of it was amazing.”

LIFE AS A PRO ATHLETE OVERSEAS After playing in South Korea and Italy, Anderson went to Russia to play pro volleyball for seven years. He reflected on what it was like being a young American athlete in Russia. “At first it was really tough,” Anderson said. “I think Russians—in general—are a little closed, culturally. My teammates have a lot more international experience, therefore, they’re not as closed, but still to be accepted into the group was difficult at first. One of the things that I’m proud about with the way that I carry myself as an athlete is my work ethic. I just put my head down and worked hard. It took about a year and a half for them to welcome me with open arms and not have that skepticism about me. I did a lot of growing up in those seven years, as an individual and as a player. The guys that I played with were there for that part of my journey, and some will be lifelong friends.”

REALIZING THE DREAM OF PLAYING IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES Anderson graciously shared some of his thoughts on all three Olympic experiences and how he evolved over the years as

an athlete and as a young man at the peak of his career. “My first time at the Olympic Games was in 2012,” Anderson said. “I was the youngest guy on the team there in London, and I was a starter. It was an amazing experience, and I was really happy to be there and excited to compete. The second [Olympic appearance] was in Rio.” When asked what was different about that experience from his experience in London, Anderson said, “A lot of different. The team consisted of a lot of different players—a lot more youthful ones. I went from being the youngest to a bit more of a veteran and more experienced player. I was 29, which is a really good age for athletes in our profession. You still have a lot of youth in your body, but you have more experience. We played Russia for the bronze.” Anderson continued, “Ultimately, it was a great experience. We walked away with a medal, which is something a lot of people can’t say as Olympians. We were very grateful for the experience.”

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In his previous Olympic appearances, Anderson had the support of his family— in person. This year’s Olympics did not allow for fans and family to be present. To add to that disappointment, Anderson has married and had a son since his last Olympic run, and it was hard for him to be separated from them. “The hardest thing for me was just the distance and knowing that I wasn’t going to see them for that whole time,” Anderson said. “FaceTime is great, but physical contact and being in the same room is huge for me and my family. It sucked, plain and simple. But for the sporting and competition part, I didn’t necessarily have a bad experience with no fans—I was able to keep a level head and be calm throughout, but it didn’t have the full feel of the Olympic Games without the fans and because of all the restrictions. But again, I am just grateful for the experience.” Anderson shared his disappointment for not fully realizing their goals in Tokyo but emphasized that he’s not done—yet. “I can rest easy knowing that I don’t have regrets in the training,” Anderson stated. “Now, the execution and how it all came out is going to be a tough pill to swallow. Our team, when we’re all healthy, is a really hard team to stop. I’m definitely sad that the result wasn’t what we wanted, but I am grateful for the overall journey and—I’m going to try again.”

SETTING ROOTS IN ZIONSVILLE, INDIANA Anderson’s wife, Jacquelyn (Jackie), grew up in Indianapolis, and when the couple decided it was time to find some property and set up their “forever” homestead, the couple found six acres that they immediately fell in love with located in Zionsville and were married on the property. “We stumbled upon this house [and property], and I was like, ‘We don’t have to look any further.’ It’s been really awesome [living here], and the downtown area is a great place. It reminds me a lot of my hometown in New York.” Anderson jested, “I’m still a diehard Buffalo Bills fan and am still a season ticket holder.”

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*Offer valid November 14–December 7, 2021, at participating retailers only. Maximum savings of $800 requires purchase of a Reserve or Lux Estate Hybrid mattress and a TEMPUR-Ergo® Extend Smart Base or TEMPUR-Ergo® Smart Base. Save $600 on Reserve or Lux Estate Hybrid Stearns & Foster® mattresses. Save $400 on Lux Estate Stearns & Foster® mattresses. Save $200 on any size TEMPUR-Ergo® Extend Smart Base or TEMPUR-Ergo® Smart Base. Save $100 on any size TEMPUR-Ergo® Power Base. Certain offers may not be combined. Not valid on prior purchases. See store for availability and details. Copyright 2021 Sealy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Village Mattress

1231 W. Oak St. (Next to Big Dave’s, across from Kroger)

200!

SAVE $ UP TO

50 OFF

ANY PURCHASE OF $399 OR MORE

75 OFF

OR $

ANY PURCHASE OF $599 OR MORE

100 OFF

OR $

ANY PURCHASE OF $999 OR MORE

150 OFF

OR $

ANY PURCHASE OF $1499 OR MORE

200 OFF

OR $

ANY PURCHASE OF $1999 OR MORE

Please present this coupon at time of purchase. Some restrictions apply. Expires September 30, 2021.

2021-08-23 6:14 PM

EARN YOUR MBA WITH A PROGRAM THAT IS COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR GOALS AND NEEDS. We think balance is key, which is why Anderson University doesn’t do a one-sizefits-all approach. When you’re getting your MBA, we believe that you don’t have to sacrifice your social or work life. That’s why we have a flexible model tailored to match what you need. FEATURES OF THE AU MBA: • • • •

In-person classes offered in Carmel, Fishers, and Anderson. Classes offered one night a week in-person, online, or both. A model where faculty make time – and take time – for your success. MBA for Life: This means you can come back and take MBA classes for free, anytime, as your goals evolve throughout your career.

“It’s set me up for success and allowed me to land my dream job. My MBA was especially impacted by the close-knit bond that I had with the other individuals in the classroom, and the professors were mentors for me.” Austin Young MBA ’15 Account Executive, Salesforce Marketing Cloud

DO YOU WANT AN MBA THAT WAS MADE FOR YOU? LOOK NO FURTHER. anderson.edu/MBA21

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2021-08-23 4:30 PM

Zionsville Monthly-August 2021

Articles inside

The Center for the Performing Arts Welcomes Zionsville Resident Ana Hammersley

Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael Presents Comedian Todd McComas!

American Cabinets and Closets: Experts in Custom Cabinetry and in Building Up a Community

Discovering Broadway Inc. Features Local Talent in Season Finale

ZCHS Grads Release Debut Album Created During COVID-19