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February 2018
INfortwayne.com
Joy of music lingers after state seminar
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By Garth Snow gsnow@kpcmedia.com
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Addison Agen of Fort Wayne performs with coach Adam Levine on NBC’s “the Voice.” Agen finished as runner-up in the show’s latest season.
‘My journey was extremely unexpected’ Agen talks ‘the Voice,’ what’s next
By Megan Knowles mknowles@kpcmedia.com
Only 12 months ago, Fort Wayne native Addison Agen was auditioning for “the Voice” in
Chicago. Now, things are a little different. “My journey was extremely unexpected. I grew so much and learned so much about
Hop River brewers build place to mingle By Megan Knowles mknowles@kpcmedia.com
PHOTO BY MEGAN KNOWLES
Hop River Brewing Company Brewer Kevin Debs, right, works to make the brewery’s first batch of beer Jan. 10. The brewery is located at 1515 N. Harrison St.
brewery. As they were getting their plans together, it seemed development was working with them too. “There’s a lot happening on Wells Street, there’s a lot happening north of the river. The momentum, not withstanding the GE
project, with the city is moving north and we thought we’d just get right in the way,” Jackson said. Though they had intended on purchasing a different building, their current location at 1515 N. Harrison St. met all their See HOP, Page A13
3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
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From the beginning, Hop River Brewing Company has been about using beer to bring people together. Initially, co-founders Paris McFarthing and Ben Jackson had separately been considering opening their own breweries. “By happenstance we got introduced through a mutual friend and the three of us … had a beer at the Dash-In,” McFarthing said. “[Ben and I] realized we could make a go of it together.” Both had helpful backgrounds to bring a new brewery into existence – McFarthing has an entrepreneurial background as co-owner of Phil’s Hobby Shop and Jackson’s background in the law helped them navigate the regulations necessary to open a
myself as an artist and as a person,” she said in a recent interview. Agen was a participant in the 13th season of See AGEN, Page A12
An estimated 5,000 music students, teachers and admirers from throughout Indiana converged on Fort Wayne Jan. 11-13 for the Indiana Music Education Association Professional Development Conference. More than two dozen free concerts were offered at four venues over two days as the IMEA came to the Summit City for the eighth consecutive year. Music lovers braved the weather Jan. 13 to pack the Embassy Theatre. They watched as composer Robert W. Smith conducted the Indiana Honor Concert Band. Homestead High School senior Natalee Nichols sat front and center, playing flute and alto flute. “It made it easier for me to make eye contact with the director,” Nichols said. Four Homestead musicians qualified to play or
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
Homestead High School senior Natalee Nichols plays flute with the Indiana Honor Concert Band. Homestead qualified four musicians and alternates for the IMEA band.
as alternates. From northeast Indiana, East Noble, Huntington North, New Haven, Northrop, Norwell and Wayne high schools also qualified musicians for the 94 seats and 30 alternates. “It was a big honor to be accepted and very See MUSIC, Page A11