Twist and Shout • 0123

Syphilis is on the rise in Iowa.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. It is more common and easier to get than you might think. Early symptoms can include a painless sore or rash, which you may not notice.

Syphilis is curable but can lead to serious health problems without treatment. It can permanently damage the eyes, brain, heart, and nervous system.

If you are sexually active, make sure that getting a blood test for syphilis is part of your regular health routine.

Find a testing location near you: gettested.cdc.gov

Free & low cost options available.

Learn more about syphilis at ashasexualhealth.org/syphilis

MUSIC Festival

Cherokee is the place to be January 13th and 14th as we celebrate the 23rd year for the Kee Live Music Festival!

Cherokee Chamber will host seven bands over two nights with a variety of music sure to meet everyone’s taste.

Tickets can be purchased at the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce or on the website at www.Keelivemusic.com.

These tickets will get you access to all the artists throughout the weekend:

IV Play, Levee Town, David Sharp Quartet, Red Dirt Road, Tank Anthony Band, Kali Indiana with special guest KC Cameron, and Dawson Hollow!

Hotel packages are also available for only $100 which includes two festival passes for the night of your preference and courtesy drivers to take you back and forth to all the action around town.

by rachel rowe

Upcoming changes for the Blanden Art Museum

ART ON THE MOVE- PROPERTY PURCHASED FOR NEW EDUCATION AREA FOR BLANDEN MEMORIAL ART MUSEUM

In June 2023 you can expect a slight change with the Fort Dodge Blanden Memorial Art Museum.

Learning how to paint or work with clay in the basement of the Blanden Memorial Art Museum will shortly be a thing of the past. The art classes will move out of the museum at 920 Third Ave. S. and into new quarters in the 200 block of South Eighth Street.

“This will help us expand the art education program to serve the community in the best possible way.”

Eric Anderson said the building at 224 S. Eighth St. is the one that is of most interest to the museum and in “really fantastic shape.” He said it will be remodeled to become the art education center.

After the new art education center is complete, the existing classroom will become a storage area for artworks.

Until then, make sure to visit www.blanden.org/classes-events for upcoming events, fun for all ages.

WANT TO BECOME A DOCENT?

Join us January 26th at 12pm for a lunch and learn and find out how you can become a docent with the Blanden. A docent is a person who acts as a guide to our many tours we conduct throughout the year. This is a great opportunity for retired persons. Email Angela Ayala, Museum Educator to register for this event.

aayala@fortdodgeiowa.org

The Humboldt Community Chorus, under the direction of Terry Nelson, will be presenting their annual variety show, “One In Harmony”, on Feb. 10th, 11th, and 12th at the R. Wesley Carlson Auditorium at Humboldt High School. Tickets are now on sale at V&S Variety, Humboldt HyVee, from Chorus members, on-line at www.humboldtchorus.com or at the door. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children under 18. Show times are Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 2:00 and 7:00 and Sunday at 2:00.

Selections this year will include “Rock This Town”, “Sing a Song”, “Favorites from the ‘Rat Pack’” and “Sing, Sing Sing” plus a medley of songs from “West Side Story”. The always popular gospel and patriotic songs include “Today is the Day”, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”, “Behold He Comes”, “Glorious Day”, “Our America” and “To Those Who Serve”. Various small groups will add light-hearted comedy numbers throughout the show. Our 20-piece Big Band will accompany all of the Chorus pieces as well as play 30 minutes before each show and during intermission.

Caleb Johnson, singer and board member, says “This isn’t just another one of those, choir in robes and “good time to nap” shows. Between the variety and huge amounts of energy that is produced on stage, there’s really something for all ages to enjoy in February!” We hope to see your there!

For more information about the upcoming show, find us on Facebook or call for tickets at 515379-1072. Please note the change in date from our traditional first weekend in Feb. to avoid parking conflicts at the High School. Don’t miss this evening of great family entertainment!

Friday, Feb 10th 7PM, Pre-show 6:30PM

“ “

This isn’t just another one of those, choir in robes and “good time to nap” shows. Between the variety and huge amounts of energy that is produced on stage, there’s really something for all ages to enjoy in February

~ Caleb Johnson

Saturday, Feb. 11th Matinee 2PM, Pre-show 1:30PM 7PM, Pre-show 6:30PM

Sunday, Feb 12th 2PM, Pre-show 1:30PM

Preshow at 6:30PM

THE

Pulse

LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR

Triton Jazz Festival

Iowa Central Community College

1 Triton Circle • Fort Dodge

JANUARY 13

Triton Jazz Festival

Iowa Central Community College

1 Triton Circle • Fort Dodge

Kris Karr

Soldier Creek Winery

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Kee Live Music Festival

Cherokee, Iowa

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

David Sharp Quartet at The Depot

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Tank Anthony Band at Pastime Lounge

8:30 PM – 11:30 PM

IV Play at Little Sioux Event Center

10:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Red Dirt Road at Whiskey Throttle

JANUARY 14

Karl King Honor Band-High School Students St Edmonds

Bingo

Soldier Creek Winery

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

JANUARY 17

Garden Walk by Artist Mary Muller

Blanden Art Museum

920 3rd Ave South • Fort Dodge, IA

JANUARY 19

Garden Walk by Artist Mary Muller

Blanden Art Museum

920 3rd Ave South • Fort Dodge, IA

Snowman Craft

Soldier Creek Winery

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

JANUARY 20

Speech Showcase - Large Group

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Fort Dodge Senior High

819 North 25th Street • Fort Dodge

Gabriel Alves Jazz Trio

Soldier Creek Winery

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

JANUARY 3

Garden Walk by Artist Mary Muller

Blanden Art Museum

920 3rd Ave South • Fort Dodge, IA

JANUARY 5

Garden Walk by Artist Mary Muller

Blanden Art Museum

920 3rd Ave South • Fort Dodge, IA

JANUARY 6

Liv McNair

Soldier Creek Winery

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

JANUARY 7

NCIBA HS Honor Band

NIACC - North Iowa Area Community College

NIACC - North Iowa Area Community College

500 College Dr. • Mason City, IA 50501

JANUARY 10

Art After School

Blanden Art Museum

920 3rd Ave South • Fort Dodge, IA

JANUARY 11

Triton Jazz Festival

High School Band Students

Iowa Central Community College

1 Triton Circle • Fort Dodge

JANUARY 12

Garden Walk by Artist Mary Muller

Blanden Art Museum

920 3rd Ave South • Fort Dodge, IA

Tie Dye Craft

Soldier Creek Winery

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

2240 4th Ave North • Fort Dodge

Kee Live Music Festival

Cherokee, Iowa

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Open Musician Jam Session with Levee Town at Mud on Main

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Levee Town at Mud on Main

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Kali Indiana with KC Cameron at Brightside Lounge

10:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Dawson Hollow at Kee Stirs

JANUARY 15

Garden Walk by Artist Mary Muller

Blanden Art Museum

920 3rd Ave South • Fort Dodge, IA

JANUARY 21

Karl King Honor Band - (Make-Up Date) St Edmonds

2240 4th Ave North • Fort Dodge

JANUARY 23

State (IHSMA) Jazz Band Festival High School Students

Fort Dodge Senior High

819 North 25th Street • Fort Dodge

JANUARY 26

Liv McNair LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Shiny Top Brewing

520 Central Ave • Fort Dodge

JANUARY 26

Blanden Docent Lunch

12:00 PM

A docent is a person who acts as a guide to our many tours we conduct throughout the year. This is a great opportunity for retired persons. Email Angela Ayala, Museum Educator to register for this event. aayala@fortdodgeiowa.org

JANUARY 27

Rod Johnson

Soldier Creek Winery

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

JANUARY 29

Bingo Soldier Creek Winery

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

JAN

Januarytunes

a look back

By Tom Tourville

“REAL”

CREATORS OF

TRIBUTE ROCK IN THE UPPER MIDWEST-HITZ! THE

I do not want to gloss over that fact that this was THE band that started the tribute craze that we are so widely entertained by today. They have never gotten the credit for what they did. Maybe this story will help balance the credit scales a little bit. I had the chance to see Hitz perform many times during the ‘80s and I was always blown away by their musicianship, immaculate costuming and them taking the tribute concept so seriously.

Bob Burtis (Bob & The Beachcombers) and his musical partner, Kent Appledorn created one of Minneapolis’s top rock club groups in 1978 with their band Gangbusters. They were mainstays on the Minneapolis music scene. Gangbusters was together from 1978 to 1980. They could have continued for many more years, but Appledorn and Burtis had bigger plans for a new band.

Their idea was to put together big costumed shows to draw more people to the venues and thus increase the clubs and bands income. Towards the end of Gangbusters, they started a a new Blues Brothers set. It was then that they knew their concept was going to work after the great reaction by the audiences to the Blues Brothers. In 1981 the time was right for a new band and that group was Hitz!

They were signed to Dave Hoffman Productions, who also handled Johnny Holm & His Traveling Fun Show and Bobby Vee. Hoffman’s agency was the perfect place for Hitz to be. Their bookings and shows started to come quickly and their travels took them across the five state Upper Midwest region, it was working! In addition, the band was extremely popular with radio station WWTC out of Minneapolis, MN, who used the group often for their WWTC live rock shows and concerts.

Soon they had one of the hottest live shows in the Midwest. In 1986 Burtis saw the birth of his son, so he wanted to come off the road and that meant him leaving Hitz. Appledorn did not miss a beat with Eastburg and Chermack staying with the band they added in additional talented new players and kept Hitz playing over now a 10-state area. Hitz would continue to perform all through the ‘80s and finally called it quits in 1993. It is sad to say they never released any records or CD’s that we could have for our Hitz rock & roll achieves.

Let me do a rock and roll quiz Southern Minnesota style. Here goes:

Who was the first rock group to incorporate complete themed costuming into their shows and base their musical sets after classic ‘60’s rock groups? Hairball, that would be incorrect. Rubber Soul, nope. Arch Allies, no not them. The Dweebs, no not them either.

I know many thought that the above artists were the first groups to start tribute shows, but that is not that case. We are going all the way back to 1981 to discover the Midwest’s first multi set-themed tribute show. Yes, there were many ‘50s & ‘60s groups getting greased up, but none offered full costumed themed tribute show sets featuring tributes to groups from the ‘60s.The first and most creative tribute show to take the stage was Minneapolis, Minnesota’s, Hitz and yes, we saw them at our Twilight Ballroom.

First, they had to define what their shows sets were going to be. They all needed amazingly and accurate costuming. They settled on the Monkees, Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Young Rascals, the Beach Boys Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, a brass tribute to the City of Chicago featuring the music of the Ides of March, Chicago (CTA) and Chase and their most popular tribute, the “Girls of the ‘60s.”

It was time to build Hitz! The new Hitz members that were brought in to join Burtis and Appledorn were: Rick Chermack on drums, Brad Olsen on keyboard and brass and Daryl Eastburg on bass and brass. In addition, both Burtis and Appledorn also played guitars and horns. I should note, that Eastburg started playing with SSI Records recording artists, the Fabulous Fenatiks, who also played at our Plamor Ballroom. This was the five guys who would take entertainment to an all-new level.

In talking with Burtis and Appledorn, one of the most fun shows they did was on a New Year’s Eve when they traveled to Nashville, TN and appeared with the Shirelles and Three Dog Night. In addition, they played shows with Paul Revere & The Raiders, Freddie Cannon, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, Little Anthony, Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, as well as playing on a few incredible cruises.

As I noted above, Burtis would go on to form the highly popular Bob & The Beachcombers and oddly enough, his old band mate, Kent Appledorn is back playing with him in the Beachcombers. As for the other three founding members of Hitz, Brad Olsen lives in Minneapolis and still does some solo performing, Daryl Eastburg lives in the Twin Cities and is not active in music and Rick Cermack lives in Arizona and is not involved in music any longer.

Yes, they played our Twilight Ballroom numerous times in the early ‘80s. I sure wish I had been there for one of their shows.

Winter Preview Karl L. King Municipal Band

The Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge, IA has recently announced the dates for their upcoming 2023 winter season. Three concert dates have been scheduled on Sunday, February 19; Sunday, March 19; and Sunday, April 23. All concerts begin at 3:30 p.m., and will be held in the Fort Dodge Middle School Auditorium, There is no admission charge, with these concerts being provided by the City of Fort Dodge.

Karl King was born on February 21, 1891 in Paintersville, Ohio. After his childhood in Ohio, he left home at the age of 19 and traveled for 9 years with several different circuses, conducted several of their bands, and reached the pinnacle of success as conductor of the famous Barnum and Bailey Circus Band during the 1917 and 1918 seasons.

He returned to his hometown of Canton, Ohio after his trouping days were done in November of 1918 to settle down with his wife, Ruth, and to direct the local G.A.R. Band there. The February 19th concert will be the Band’s annual tribute to former Conductor Karl L. King in honor of his

birthday. A special afternoon of band music is being planned to include some of King’s bestknown and most popular compositions.

The March 19th concert will be the Band’s annual Irish Concert to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This concert dates back to the early days of the Band under Mr. King’s direction. A wide variety of Irish music is being planned, and will include an audience sing-along and everyone’s favorite Irish tune, “McNamara’s Band”.

The April 23rd concert will be the Band’s annual Scholarship Concert, where talented high school seniors and college freshmen audition for three scholarships that the Band annually awards. In addition, a variety of band music will be performed during this hour-long concert.

For additional information, history, and pictures about Karl King or the Municipal Band, you can visit the band’s web site at www.karlking. us, or the band’s facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/karlkingband/.

dining:

716 Main Humboldt

Amigos 280 N. 1st St.

Applebee’s 2810 5th Ave. S

Bloomers on Central 900 Central Ave.

Buffalo Wild Wings 2909 5th Ave. S.

CasaBlanca Steak House Hwy 169

Ardys Mae Coffee and Dessert 14 S. 14th St.

Community Tap & Pizza 2026 5th Ave. S.

Peking Garden.............................. 510 5th Ave. S. Hacienda Vieja ........................ 1518 3rd Ave. NW

Ja-Mar Drive-In ............................. 329 S. 25th St.

Lizard Creek Ranch .................1762 Johnson Ave

The Stadium...............................2001 2nd Ave. N.

Lomitas Mexican Restaurant ...... 2223 5th Ave. S.

Mineral City 2621 5th Ave. So.

Ninja Sushi Steak House 407 S. 25th St.

Perkins 511 S. 32nd St.

Pizza Ranch 3311 5th Ave. S.

Sneakers 1317 Central Ave.

A Pinch of Love Cafe 850 S. 18th St.

Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Ave.

Tea Thyme .................................. 2021 6th Ave. S.

The Sports Page......................... 2707 N. 15th St.

Tom Thumb Drive Inn ......................... 1412 A. St.

Tres Amigos ................................ 3521 5th Ave. S.

Tropical Smoothie ................. 2813 1/2 5th Ave. S.

Village Inn ................................... 2002 N. 15th St.

Zakeer’s Family Restaurant......... 425 2nd Ave. S.

FAST-FOOD:

Burger King....................... 2814 5th Ave. S.

Casey’s Carry-Out Pizza ......... 2007 N.15th St. 2206 2nd Ave. N. 1133 S. 22nd St. 1308 3rd Ave. N. W. 235 Ave. O

Hardee’s

6 S. 15th St.

Jimmy Johns..................... 3023 5th Ave. S.

KFC

McDonald’s

Pancheros

Papa Murphy’s Pizza

Pizza Hut

Scooter’s Coffee

3057 1st Ave. S.

2509 5th Ave. S.

107 Ave. O W.

3022 5th Ave. S.

2813 5th Ave. S.

2940 5th Ave. S.

2949 5th Ave S.

Starbucks - Target .............2910 1st Ave. S.

Starbucks - Hy-Vee 115 S 29th St

Subway 109 Ave. O 2323 5th Ave. S.

Taco Bell 3057 1st Ave. S.

Taco Tico 319 S. 29th St.

Wendy’s 2313 5th Ave. S.

drinks:

4th Street Depot ............... 300 S. 4th St.

Brass Monkey 15 N. 10th St.

Buck’s Fireside Lounge 16 N. 11th St.

Bootleggers 1239 S. 22nd St.

Crickets Lounge 512 Central Ave.

Dodge City Bar 915 Central Ave.

Dodger Tap 22 N. 12th St.

River Hops 1014 Central Ave.

Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Ave.

shiningstar

Zach Midtling

Age: 17 • Grade/School: 11 - St. Edmond Catholic School • Hometown: Fort Dodge

Are you in band and choir? If so, what part or instrument do you play or sing?

I am a tenor in choir and I play the trombone in Band.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What 3 things do you bring?

I would bring a sword to retrieve food and for defense. I would also bring my trombone for entertainment and I need the practice anyway. The last thing I would bring is a journal so I don’t go insane with my thoughts.

What do you want to do after high school?

I would like to major in Music education (preferably choir).

Who are some of your role models and why?

Ryan Swedean helps me become a better performer and Jacque Batz inspires me through tough and stressful times, whether it be in music or real life, that it will all be fine.

What other activities do you participate in at St. Ed’s?

I participate in The Student Ambassador program, Musical, Jazz Band, Show Choir, Chamber Choir, All-State Music, UNI

Walk us through a typical day in the life of Zach Midtling.

I wake up at 6 each morning to go to either Jazz Band or Show Choir, depending on the day. I then go through a normal school day. After school, I go home and relax or do homework

Tell us about some of the cultural experiences you have had growing up in Fort Dodge.

I always love seeing shows being put on by Comedia or Stage Door Productions etc. because they have a little bit of the whole town there and they have this stage chemistry even though some people don’t even know the person next to them.

What is your earliest memory performing?

Performing at the Webster City Middle School auditorium in Kindergarten.

What do you most enjoy about performing?

I enjoy being able to express my true self through music when I perform.

Go to www.fineartsassociation.com for a list of upcoming events and our members….. Over 60 events each month!

To become a member or let us know about an event contact:

Shelly Bottorff, Executive Director • fdfinearts@gmail.com

artistspot MaryAnn McSweeny-Buhr

If you had a chance to meet any performer/musician, alive or dead, whom would you choose?

I would love to meet Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, George Frideric Handel and Antonio Vivaldi. Their music speaks to me in so many ways. As a soprano, I have sung many of their arias and art songs.

What are some of your musical accomplishments?

Teachers had a profound impact on my life, so I continue to dedicate my life to teaching, inspiring and supporting the next generation of musicians and artists. It is truly a privilege to have former students enroll their own children in the children’s chorus and return to study voice as adults. This is a testament to the value of the arts and the impact the arts have and continue to have in one’s life.

What is the most unusual thing to have happened to you, or to a student during a performance?

I remember a number of years ago, accompanying a quintet during an area Bill Riley Talent Show. When we arrived, I checked out the piano and realized the piano was an older piano that had seen it’s better days. As I began accompanying, the ivories started flying off every direction while this young male quintet was singing. All I could do was stay focused! I also remember a Bill Riley Talent Show at the Fort Museum Opera House when there was a tornado warning and everyone had to evacuate to the bathroom areas.

Would you describe the mission of the McSweeny’s School of the Performing Arts?

vocal music at the elementary, junior high and high school levels

as well as applied voice at the college level. Mrs. Buhr considers herself to be a lifelong learner and has been a voice student of Michael Ricciardone, New York City, former Associate Coordinator of Vocal Studies at New York University Steinhardt School of Education, and Dr. Jonathan Retzlaff, Associate Professor of Voice at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, New York. She served a two-year term as President of the Lewis & Clark National Association of Teachers of Singing Chapter (2016-2018). In 2013, MaryAnn assumed the responsibility as coordinator of the Youth Honors Recital co-sponsored by the Fort Dodge Area Symphony and McSweeny’s School of the Performing Arts. McSweeny’s School of the Performing Arts was the host of this yearly event from 2013-2020. Her students are frequent semifinalists and finalists in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competitions, continue to be consistent recipients of college vocal music scholarships and are frequently cast as musical leads in area school and community musical theatre productions. Younger vocalists and instrumentalists are encouraged to pursue musical excellence through participation in area Bill Riley State Fair Talent Search Shows during the summer with vocalists consistently qualifying to perform at the Iowa State Fair with a Grand Champion Sprout awarded in 2018. Former voice students are currently pursuing music at the college level, teaching music at the elementary, junior high, high school and college levels, pursuing vocal performance careers and teaching voice privately.

Who has had the greatest influence on you musically?

PARENTS. I have been involved in the arts since I was three and have been teaching since I was seventeen years old, so I know firsthand the impact the arts have in a life. I grew up on a dairy farm in Northeast Iowa near Maynard, Iowa and my parents sacrificed so that I could study dance beginning at the age of three and piano lessons at a very early age. The arts were valued, encouraged and important in my family. TEACHERS. My favorite teachers were those who inspired me to use my imagination and creativity, encouraged me to use my heart and to think outside of the box. Mrs. Helen Mills was my fourth grade teacher. For one writing assignment, she allowed our class to choose a picture and write a story about it. I chose a mermaid. I loved being in Mrs. Mill’s class since she brought out the creative, inquisitive, and dreamer in me. Mr. Daryl Libke was my high school English teacher, and speech and drama director. Believe it or not, I was very shy and somewhat of an introvert throughout my formative years. Mr. Libke saw something special in me and encouraged me to participate in speech during my junior and senior years of high school and also encouraged me to try out for the musical “Hello Dolly” my senior year. I really didn’t want to try out for the musical, but after much encouragement, I tried out and was cast as Irene Malloy, a leading role. I also used my dance skills, as assistant choreographer. My senior year, Mr. Libke created a new class in modern poetry. During this class, I found one of my passions, poetry. We read, interpreted, analyzed and even wrote poetry. I will be forever grateful for all that he taught me and know that my love of poetry has guided my love of texts in my music career. Mrs. Dora Miehe, my piano teacher from 5th-12th grade was an amazing woman. She had a beautiful baby grand piano in her home. I remember our lessons were filled with the fundamentals of music theory, Hannon Exercises, Bach Inventions, lesson books and of course, lots of laughter. When Mrs. Miehe found out I loved to sing, she even allowed me to play and sing during my piano lessons. She was a delightful woman who allowed me to grow naturally, instilled a love of music in me, and even allowed me to teach her a little bit about rock music. Dr. Jonathan Retzlaff, my voice teacher as an adult, taught me so much about musicianship, artistry, vocal pedagogy, following my heart, and taking risks. I’m sure I went into the field of education because of the impact teachers made in my life. “If just one person believes in you.” So often, that is all it takes. I was fortunate to have been surrounded by amazing people who impacted my life as teachers. My life has truly been blessed by great teachers and for this I will be forever grateful.

McSweeny’s School of the Performing Arts mission is to nurture the next generation of artists, musicians, and performers through our example, teaching, mentoring and guidance and enhance the quality of life to all involved in these artistic endeavors. The arts are a lifeline to many, and we have a moral obligation and responsibility to bringing out the performing musician in students of all ages. Every person, deserves an opportunity to pursue the arts. I’ve included a quote from one of my voice students. “Music is what anchors me in the present. It is how I give back, and honor myself and the gifts I have been given to share.”

What has been the hardest lesson to learn when it comes to music and running a performing arts school? We are celebrating our 27th year in business, so there have been many successes and challenges over the years. When we opened McSweeny’s School of the Performing Arts, we opened it so our children and the children in this community and the surrounding area were taught to be active participants in music and life. Our children were very young during that time, so It was a challenge navigating business and family life, but to have our children involved in music making at the studio, made it so much easier. They also made many friends and learned the value of a strong work ethic by helping out in so many ways at both the studio and home. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by the best people, family and friends. Our teachers, my husband, (Michael) and area pianist and best friend, (Michelle Havlik-Jergens), and extended family, support the studio in so many ways and for this I am immensely grateful. The key to success in any endeavor is to be surrounded by great people, family and friends and to never forget your roots.

What do you most enjoy about the art and culture scene in Fort Dodge?

I love attending local and area concerts and musicals and watching my students and their friends perform. There is so much time and energy that goes into each recital, concert, musical or performance so it is essential to support live music and theatre. The arts are truly the lifeblood of any community.

Age: Youth is ageless. Hometown: Born and raised in Maynard, Iowa. Have lived in Fort Dodge since 1990. Instruments: Voice & Piano.