Online Offerings:
Clubs
Visual Arts Club
Facilitator: Paige McMillan
With the ALS Association
Dates and Time: Sep 10, Oct 8, Nov 12 and Dec 10 --- 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT
Register by Sep 3, Oct 1, Nov 5 and Dec 3
25 max
Join the Visual Arts Club! Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, this monthly gathering is your artistic refuge. We will share our work, give feedback, and discuss techniques to spark new ideas. Paige will guide the discussions and provide helpful resources. What makes this class special is its flexibility. You shape the experience by steering conversations, requesting content, and sharing insights. Our online forum platform keeps the dialogue alive beyond meetings, fostering a supportive artist community. Upon request, we'll send you the materials you need to unleash your creativity. Whether you need adaptive tools or want to try new mediums, we’re here to help you feel empowered and equipped to thrive. This club meets once a month, but you are not required to join every meeting.
───────────────────────
Writing Club – The Write Stuff
Facilitator: Liz Stanley
With the ALS Association
Dates and Time: Sep 26, Oct 24, Nov 26 and Dec 19 --- 1:00-2:30 p.m. CT
Register by Sep 19, Oct 17, Nov 21 and Dec 12
30 max
Are you enthusiastic for writing? Are you looking for positive encouragement to keep going towards your writing goals? You have found your people! This is the place to be if you love writing no matter how much experience you have. Join a warm, caring community of writers that are going to make you laugh and have fun and talk writing too. You will gain access to the online forum for the writing club and be able to post your work, read others’ work and get and give feedback so you can stay connected between meetings. This club meets once a month, but you are not required to join every meeting.
───────────────────────
Book Club
Facilitators: Erin Major & Ashley Smith
With the ALS Association
Dates and Time: Oct 1, Nov 5 and Dec 3 --- 12:00-1:30 p.m. CT
Register by Sep 26, Oct 31 and Nov 28
8 max
Calling all bookworms! The ALS Association is launching its first ever Book Club, and we would love to have you join us. Ashley and Erin will pick the books based on participants’ input. You will gain access to the online forum for the book club and be able to share thoughts on the books and stay connected between meetings. Spots are limited, so sign up quickly if you’re interested! This club meets once a month, but you are not required to join every meeting.
Writing
Finding Poetry in the Personal II
Facilitator: Glenda Reed
With The Loft Literary Center
Dates and Time: 2-part series: Sep 11 and 18 --- 1:00-3:00 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Sep 5
25 max
Some of the best material for poems comes from what is the most personal. Through writing exercises and lessons on the magic of the poetic line, participants will learn how poetry can serve as a freeing form of self-expression and an effective way to process the intimate aspects of their narrative. In this class, the teaching artist will discuss the art and craft of poetry while addressing difficult topics with compassion. This class meets two times. No need to have taken Part 1; this class expands on previous content and also stands alone.
───────────────────────
Shouting with Your Mouth Shut Tight II
Facilitator: Glenda Reed
With The Loft Literary Center
Dates and Time: 3-part series: Oct 21 and 28 and Nov 4 --- 1:00-3:00 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Oct 17
25 max
Whether talking is a challenge or not currently possible, whether you type with your hands, eyes, head mouse, or other communication devices, this class is for you! Together we’ll dig deeper into poetry, creative nonfiction, and fiction and explore the music, masonry, and mystery in the written word. In a community of peers, we’ll read published works, write into our stories, and share our words. No need to worry about being slow in communication; this class offers ample time to compose so you can Shout! with your mouth shut tight. This class meets three times. No need to have taken Part 1; this class expands on previous content and also stands alone.
───────────────────────
Fiction Essentials
Facilitator: Jessie Sholl
With The Loft Literary Center
Dates and Time: 3-part series: Sep 25, Oct 2 and 9 --- 1:30-3:30 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Sep 19
25 max
Come and learn some basics of fiction writing with topics spanning: Creating Real Characters, Planning Purposeful Plot, and Dialogue: What Did You Say? Delve into how to come up with interesting characters that jump off the page and into a reader’s mind. A good plot is going to keep a reader flipping pages. We’ll cover how to create a compelling plot that stems from your main character’s desires. And how good dialogue is much more than transcribing a character’s thoughts. We’ll learn how to write dialogue that sings. This class meets three times.
───────────────────────
Life Stories in the Flash
Facilitator: Gail Milstein
With The Loft Literary Center
Dates and Time: 2-part series: Nov 13 and 20 --- 1:30-3:30 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Nov 7
25 max
Do you have more true stories to tell than time to tell them? Then flash creative nonfiction may be the story form for you! Flash CNF can range in length from six words to 2,000. In this 2-part series, appropriate for writers of all genres and levels, we will spend Session 1 sampling and discussing diverse pieces of flash CNF, to understand how flash works. We will break the form down into elements common to all CNF, like the power of image and detail, crafting your authentic voice, shaping your work, and deciding where to begin and end, all in the context of this condensed form. In Session 2, participants willing to share their written work will receive input from the group, and we’ll discuss specific techniques for revising and improving your work.
Visual Arts
Digital Art for Healing
Facilitator: Jane Grant-Abban
With White Bear Center for the Arts
Dates and Time: 3-part series: Nov 11, 18 and 25 --- 1:30-3:30 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Oct 24
15 max
This class is for anyone wanting to create on any digital platform, mobile device or desktop, eye gaze or finger controlled are all welcome. In the class Jane will gently guide you through a few prompts which you respond to intuitively with color. At the end of the class, you will have one or two unique abstract paintings which reflect the journey you've been on in the class. Liz can provide the device and program needed to create for this class, if you don’t have one you currently use. This class meets three times.
───────────────────────
Fun with AI Art
Facilitator: Liz Stanley
With the ALS Association
Date and Time: Sep 19 --- 1:30-3:30 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Sep 12
30 max
Have you heard about the power of AI in art making??? Come learn how you can create art by using various AI platforms. You will be introduced to a few choices and have the opportunity to create some in class. You will also gain access to a site where you can share your AI art with each other and build community after the class.
───────────────────────
Hands Free Digital Art
Facilitator: Liz Stanley
With the ALS Association
Date and Time: Oct 7 --- 1:30-3:30 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Oct 3
30 max
If you use eye gaze or head mouse devices or have limited use of your hands and want to learn some new ways to play with art, this is the class for you! You do not need to have any experience with art, digital or otherwise to enjoy the benefits of creating on your digital device. Programs introduced in this class include but may not be limited to the free versions of Paint 3D and Sketch.io.
───────────────────────
I’m No Artist, But This Will Be Fun!
Facilitator: Bonnie Schetski
With Arts for All
Dates and Time: 4-part series: Oct 16, 23, 30 and Nov 6 --- 1:00-3:00 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Oct 3
20 max
Did you know that even scribbling for 20 minutes lowers your cortisol and boosts endorphins? Do you have concerns about your ability to create artistically? We will help you find what works best for you. In this class we will create a safe environment to explore, play, and de-stress using paint or digital devices, your choice. Supplies and adaptive tools will be sent to you prior to the first class. This class meets four times.
───────────────────────
Online Walker Art Center Tour
Facilitator: Roman Feldhahn
With Walker Art Center
Dates and Time: Sep 12 and Nov 5 --- 1:30-3:30 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Sep 5 and Oct 31
30 max
Sep 12 - Sustainability: Our virtual tour on Sustainability focuses on artists who consider the impact that humanity has on the planet, as well as artists who use the earth as an artistic medium. Through careful observation and considering context, participants will be able to form and express their own opinions about these artworks from the Walker's permanent collection. The tour will be hosted on Zoom and there will be multiple opportunities to engage, or you can just sit back and watch!
Nov 7 - Photography and Film: Our virtual tour on Photography and Film includes a variety of photographic works in the Walker's collection. Together we will explore the concept of "narrative" by examining artworks that blur the line between fiction and nonfiction in unique and surprising ways. The tour will be hosted on Zoom and there will be multiple opportunities to engage, or you can just sit back and watch!
Music
Make Music Together with Ekwe Music App
Facilitators: Isaac Rohr & Tommy Boynton
With MacPhail Center for Music & Ekwe
Dates and Times: 4-part series: Oct 31 and Nov 7, 14 and 21 --- 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Oct 21
20 max
Come learn about the Ekwe music app and use it to make music together! MacPhail believes music is for everyone and everyone has a song waiting to come out. Their goal is to support you in finding and letting out the music within you. In partnership with Ekwe, an amazing new music creation app, we are offering an online class where you will learn about composing and creating your own music. Ekwe is a mobile-based music platform which brings a new level of ease to digital music creation. Ekwe gives the user access to 150 musical instruments from around the world, learning about each instrument’s history as you explore, and the ability to add your own sounds. Ekwe will donate the license to the app, so you can use it for free, for as long as you would like. You will gain access to the app a couple weeks prior to the first class. However, this app is only compatible with Android and Apple systems and is not compatible with Microsoft yet.
───────────────────────
Ekwe/MacPhail Concert Series
Facilitators: Soojin Lee, Samarth Nagarkar, Tommy Boynton, Isaac Rohr
With MacPhail Center for Music & Ekwe
Dates and Time: Sep 23, Oct 22, Nov 19 and Dec 18 --- 1:00-2:30 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Sep 19, Oct 17, Nov 14 and Dec 12
40 max
Participants will get to experience the beauty and artistry of master musicians from around the world in a series of intimate, online Zoom concerts. These are musicians who are featured on the Ekwe music app and/or MacPhail teaching artists. As well as being intimate concerts, there will also be opportunities for participants to meet and greet the artist and engage in a Q&A with the artists. All participants will receive an annual license of the Ekwe music app. Sign up for one or all!
Sep 23 - Dr. Soojin Lee will take participants on a journey through aspects of traditional Korean music called Gayageum, focusing on both traditional Korean string instruments and Korean drumming.
Oct 22 - Samarth Nagarkar will give participants an up close experience of traditional, North Indian classical voice music. He will showcase and describe the different types of music including raga, as well as touch on some of the instruments integral to this tradition such as tanpura, harmonium, and others.
Nov 19 - Tommy Boynton will present an intimate concert of his material as singer and songwriter. As well as performing, Tommy will touch on his creative process and how his music is created.
Dec 18 - Isaac will perform some of his original compositions which can only be called mesmerizing. He will touch on some of the basic ideas in electronic music and digital music production, as well as include a brief overview of the Ekwe music app and how participants can continue to pursue their own music making.
Other
Laugh Tracks
Facilitators: Jenni Lilledahl & Jeff Myhre
With Brave New Institute
Dates and Time: Oct 17 and Dec 17 --- 1:00-2:30 p.m. CT (Includes 30 min social time before the class.)
Register by Oct 10 and Dec 12
25 max
Laughter is great medicine. Join us for an amusing hour of fun-filled exploration of everything humorous. We’ll share jokes, watch hilarious videos, trade stories and try a few comedic games. No experience needed – this class is about sharing laughter in a relaxing environment. This online experience is hosted by Jeff Myhre and Jenni Lilledahl, veteran improv and comedy teachers. Sign up for one or all!
Ekwe Promo for Free App
The ALS Association is excited to share a great offer from Ekwe to access their fantastic new music app for FREE. Ekwe is a mobile-based music platform that brings a new level of ease to digital music creation. Ekwe gives the user access to 150 musical instruments from around the world, learning about each instrument’s history as you explore, and the ability to add your own sounds. Ekwe will donate the license to the app, so you can use it for free, for as long as you would like. To learn more about the app and watch tutorials, click here. This free redemption code is for any person living with ALS regardless of musical experience and physical abilities. This app is only compatible with Android and Apple phone or tablet systems, but it is not compatible with Microsoft yet. Ekwe has been tested and is easy to use with eye and head mouse devices that are not Microsoft-based.
───────────────────────
Nature Immersion Audio Guides
Teacher: David Motzenbecker
With Motz Studios
In partnership with the ALS Association, Motz Studios brings ALS Association members a new audio experience allowing you to forest bathe from home! Enjoy a short, 20-minute indoor nature immersion experience. This is a visually focused experience and can be enjoyed from any window. Or enjoy a short, 20-minute outdoor nature immersion experience. This is a sensory-focused experience and can be enjoyed from any outdoor space. Or enjoy a full, 2-hour outdoor nature immersion experience. This is a sensory-focused experience that can be enjoyed from any outdoor space, however it is best to be in a park setting if possible. Listen to the audio experiences here.
───────────────────────
Caregivers
Art for Healing for Caregivers
Facilitator: Jane Grant-Abban
With Abban Art LLC
Dates and Times: Oct 4 --- 12:00-2:00 p.m. CT
Dec 11 --- 2:00-4:00 p.m. CT
Register by Sep 24 and Nov 25
15 max
In the class Jane will gently guide you through a number of timed questions or steps which you respond to intuitively with color and movement. At the end of the class you will have one or two unique abstract paintings which reflect the journey you've been on in the class. You will have the choice of working on a digital platform if you prefer, or we will ship you paint and other materials. Please sign up for only one day.
In-Person Offerings:
Crafts & Coffee
Facilitator: Liz Stanley
With the ALS Association
Date and Time: Oct 3 --- 1:00-2:30 p.m. CT
Register by Sep 26
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
20 max
Do you or a caregiver, family member or friend like to get crafty and/or enjoy meeting others? This is another great opportunity for people driving distance to Saint Paul, Minnesota to get together and bring a plus one along. We will explore with watercolor paint with a wonderful local artist, Bri Harrington. You can create either individually or collaborate with your plus one. These crafts require zero art background and will let you experience the benefits of play and community. Coffee will be offered as well. Adaptive tools and techniques will be offered so the craft can be enjoyed by all.
───────────────────────
Walker Art Center Tour
Guide: Roman Feldhahn
With Walker Art Center
Dates and Time: Oct 10 and Dec 12 --- 1:00-3:00 p.m. CT
Register by Oct 3 and Dec 5
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
16 max
Enjoy a one-hour private tour of the different exhibitions for each tour, followed by one hour of social time. This event is for those living with ALS and one guest to attend. The Walker Art Center welcomes visitors of all abilities to engage with the visual, performing, and media arts of our time. Sign up for one or all!
October: Walker Price: Pearl Lines with a shorter stop in Collection in Focus: Mungo Thompson if time allows
December: Sophie Calle: Overshare
───────────────────────
Minneapolis Institute of Art Tour
Guide: TBD
With the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Date and Time: Sep 24 --- 1:00-3:00 p.m. CT
Register by Sep 19
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
16 max
View splendid works from around the world and throughout time. Delight in European and American favorites. Experience nature‘s beauty in tour-de-force landscapes and decorative arts from Asia. Discover how the living arts of Africa and the Americas honor traditions and inspire innovation. This will be a one-hour private tour at MIA, followed by one hour of social time. This event is for those living with ALS and one guest to attend.
───────────────────────
Guided Nature Immersion
Facilitator: David Motzenbecker
With Motz Studios
Dates and Time: Sep 17 and Oct 15 --- 12:00-3:00 p.m. CT
Register by Sep 12 and Oct 10
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
20 max
This event includes two hours of Guided Nature Immersion followed by one hour of optional social time. Enjoy all the benefits of Shinrin Yoku (taking in the forest air with all of your senses) while we go slow in nature. Lite refreshments will be provided in the social hour. Please bring your own snacks to supplement if you have specific needs or would like to eat more. This event is for those living with ALS and one guest (friend/family member/caregiver). Sep 17 will be held at Tamarack Nature Center and Oct 15 will be at Lone Lake Park. Sign up for one or all!
Chazen Museum of Art Tour
Guide: TBD and ALS Association Staff: Kristy Sharp
With the Chazen Museum of Art
Date and Time: Oct 8 --- 1:00-3:00 p.m. CT
Register by Oct 3
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
12 max
Join us at the Chazen Museum of Art for a tour with our trained museum guides! Explore artwork in the collection through close looking, engaging group activities, and hands-on learning. This will be a one-hour private tour, followed by one hour of social time. This event is for those living with ALS and one guest to attend.
───────────────────────
Saint Louis Art Museum Tour
Guide: TBD and ALS Association Staff: Jack Knope and Grace Rapp
With the Saint Louis Art Museum
Date and Time: Oct 16 --- 1:00-3:00 p.m. CT
Register by Oct 10
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
16 max
Join the Saint Louis Art Museum guides for a lively tour of the Museum highlights and learn more about its motto, “Dedicated to art and free to all.” This will be a one-hour private tour followed by one hour of social time.
───────────────────────
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Tour
Guide: TBD and ALS Association Staff: Erin Major and Katie Schauer
With the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Date and Time: Oct 9 --- 12:00-2:00 p.m. CT
Register by Oct 3
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
16 max
Explore the magic within our museum walls and embark on a journey of creativity and culture! Join us for a 90-minute tour at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art where we'll engage in artful conversations and sensory explorations at each stop, inviting you to fully immerse yourself in the art and the moment. This free tour is for those living with ALS and one guest. At the conclusion of our tour, we invite you to a 30-minute social time, where you can relax and reflect on the wonders we've encountered.
Facilitator Bios:
Liz Stanley
ALS Association Arts Program Manager, Liz Stanley (she/they), comes to us with a background in art education, and has been teaching art from preschool age to adults, in every medium, for the last sixteen years. Liz recently moved back to the states after seven years teaching abroad in Turkey, Cambodia and Costa Rica. Liz lost her best friend, who was an amazing artist, to ALS. This inspired them to bring their passion for the therapeutic power of creation to people living with ALS.
Paige McMillan
By day, Paige works in Care Services for the ALS Association, and by evening and weekends, she's an art enthusiast. Paige holds a degree in Art Education and has multiple years of experience teaching in various programs and communities, from children to adults, before transitioning to her current role at the Association. To keep sharing her passion for the arts and fulfill her need to create, she founded WanderCrafts, a mobile arts and crafts workshop that spreads creativity across her local community. She revels in sharing art processes and techniques and is always eager to discover new artists and styles. Enchanted by the art world since childhood, Paige has always found sanctuary in creating. For her, sharing space and crafting magic with others is pure joy. She continuously broadens her own artistic horizons through her workshops and is thrilled to expand her passion for the arts alongside her dedication to the ALS community, thus delightfully combining her passions.
Erin Major
Erin Major, a social worker by background, is an ALS Navigator, based in the Kansas City area. Erin grew up in Iowa, where she read countless books as a child, alongside her parents and four siblings who also loved books. Erin attended college at Northwest Missouri State University, where she majored in Child and Family Studies. She went on to get a master's degree in social work at The University of Georgia. Though Erin tries to make herself read non-fiction books, her heart is drawn to novels. Erin has a husband and two boys, whom she is trying to influence. Currently, Erin and the kids are reading “A Tale of Despereaux,” which the boys are either loving or using as a decoy to stay up late. “Just ONE more chapter, Mom!”
Ashley Smith
Ashley Smith is an ALS Navigator in Missouri. She is a social worker by background, with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Missouri State University, and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Louisville. Ashley is an avid reader and loves everything to do with books. Her favorite books include Harry Potter, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Pride and Prejudice. Her “to be read” pile has its own bookshelf, and she looks forward to adding to it with recommendations from this group.
Jane Grant-Abban
Jane Grant-Abban is an artist, author, speaker and special needs mom. She moved from the UK with her husband and two boys in 2006. Jane has over 30 years of teaching experience, and is Certified in a unique therapeutic art process called Art and Creativity For Healing. Wherever she teaches, her goal is to create a safe place for people to connect with, explore and express their feelings, whether the everyday ones or the really hard ones. She creates opportunities for others to feel seen and heard and share their own unique story. Jane believes art is for everyone and she is skilled at helping others express the creativity the already have, but may not have used in a long time. Her therapeutic art classes help others find a new language- the language of color.
Roman Feldhahn
Roman Feldhahn (he, they) is a teaching artist and a Lead Educator at the Walker Art Center. He is passionate about accessibility in museums (and all institutions!) and aims to make contemporary art approachable to all. He enjoys oil painting, video games, and creating new things with Legos. He also likes to talk to visitors about the artworks they dislike and why!
Glenda Reed
Glenda Reed is an award-winning, feminist writer, artist, educator, and adventurer. She's received support from the Jerome Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, among others and has twice been recognized by the Minnesota State Arts Board with an Artist Initiative Award. Her work has appeared in literary journals and anthologies, including Creative Nonfiction and The Best Travel Writing. Glenda is also a winner of The Moth Story SLAM. Her in-progress memoir follows the years she set out to sail around the world by hitchhiking on sailboats. At a time when the backlash against women’s social progress and feminism is at a peak, Reed is writing her own true-life story of one woman who charted her own course for adventure.
Jessie Sholl
Jessie Sholl is an award-winning freelance writer, an editor, and an adjunct professor of creative writing. She holds an Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from The New School in New York City. Jessie is the author of Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean About Her Mother’s Compulsive Hoarding. Her essays and stories have appeared in The New York Times, The Daily Beast, and New York magazine’s The Cut, among other places, and she’s the co-editor of the literary non-fiction anthology Travelers’ Tales Prague and the Czech Republic.
Gail Milstein
Gail Milstein received her MFA in Creative Writing in 2014 from Hamline University, having studied all three genres of creative writing but with a focus on Creative Nonfiction. She spent the better part of the past 10 years teaching English Composition and Speech Communications and running the Writing Lab at The Institute of Production and Recording. For nearly two decades, she has served as a Teaching Artist for The Loft Literary Center. Gail has been published in several literary journals, including Hamline’s Rock, Paper, Scissors, where her piece, Humble Warrior, was awarded Best in Creative Nonfiction.
Isaac Rohr
Isaac Rohr (he, they) is an artist, beatmaker, and mixing and mastering engineer that has spent his life studying, performing and creating: electronic music, jazz, classical new music, ‘world’ music, audiovisual art, installations, 3D art, games and beats. Isaac takes a critical and dialectical approach to music making and performance emphasizing a unique, hyper-contemporary process with a focus on electronics, anti-racism, decolonization and auto-didactic practices. By studying and participating in as broad a variety of topics as possible, Isaac aims to provide students with a learning environment and guidance with no limits. As a teacher, Isaac places an emphasis on teaching using a discussion-based approach to draw conclusions about the direction to take in lessons by the needs and pacing of the student; rather than treating the student as a project by providing a strict and dated plan. As an artist, Isaac uses his fractured identity, neurodivergence, and ‘anti-post-de’-colonial theory to create hypnotic dissertations on the state of the human race and himself within it. Isaac Rohr holds a Bachelor of Music – Music Composition from Brandon University as well as a Master of Fine Arts – Music Composition and Experimental Sound Practices from The California Institute of The Arts.
Tommy Boynton
Tommy Boynton is a singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, residing in St Paul, Minnesota. Since graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music in 2012, Tommy has been an active collaborator in the Midwest music scene, and an international touring musician with The Four Freshmen, The Mimzees (original song cycles by Tommy), The River Monks, Extravision, Field Division, and much more. He recently stepped away from his teaching position at the School for Music Vocations at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa to step back into his community and touring.
In an eagerness to utilize the times we live in, he finds the recording arts to be an integral part of growth, documentation, and experimentation, that has the potential to lead to self-discovery, as well as an expansive awareness of the artist within. Through this process he has been able to craft his relationship with his voice, composing, arranging, piano, guitar, bass, drums, synthesizers, and more to explore the endless palettes that documentation can provide. As an artist and educator, he is grateful for the paths that have allowed him to stay actively creative and exploring while seeking to welcome all in experiencing and enjoying music free of judgment and shame.
Soojin Lee
Dr. Soojin Lee is a professional performer on the gayageum (a traditional Korean string instrument) and teaches gayageum, Korean drumming, piano, and general music. She began teaching at MacPhail in 2017 and MacPhail Austin in 2020, and holds over 20 years of teaching experience from individual instruction to large groups. Her wide variety of experience includes teaching as a high school general music teacher in Korea, a private instructor of gayageum and piano, and a school residency of Korean music and drumming in U.S. schools.
Before coming to the United States, she worked for the National Korean Traditional Music High School as a gayageum and general music teacher. Soojin has her bachelor's and master's degrees in Korean music (specialized in gayageum performance) from Seoul National University, South Korea and a Master of Social Science (specialized in Ethnomusicology) from the University of California, Irvine. She received her Ph.D. in music education (research interests are multicultural music education and pedagogy for teaching indigenous music in formal education system) at the University of Minnesota.
Samarth Nagarkar
Samarth Nagarkar is a Khayal musician (Hindustani / North Indian classical voice music) singer, educator and author, regarded as a flag-bearer of raga music globally. His music is often described as a rich blend of traditional authenticity with a deeply emotive, meditative, introspective and healing quality. Samarth features in music festivals and venues around the world. Some prominent appearances include Lincoln Center (New York); ITC Sangeet Sammelan (Kolkata); LearnQuest Music Conference (Boston); Central Park Summer Stage (New York); Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York); Chicago World Music Festival; The Continuum Festival (San Francisco); and Dakkhini Music Conference (Kolkata).
He has several solo, as well as collaborative albums, to his credit and has authored the much lauded book, ‘Raga Sangeet’. He has composed music for international films and conventions. He was awarded a Fellowship by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and was one of the youngest to win the prestigious and highly competitive All India Radio’s National Music Competition. In 2022, Samarth was awarded the NAKC Outstanding Achievement Award in the field of Art.
Bonnie Schetski
Bonnie Schetski currently lives and teaches art in Wisconsin. After going through a major health crisis, her work and perspective of the creative process shifted from abstract to pulling wisdom from nature and the Creator. Her art is based on the healing power of water and the habitat dependent on it for survival. She enjoys the exploration of using art as a means of therapy to assist in releasing and communicating memories stored in the body from trauma. Art is a vehicle in which we, as creative beings, can use to release that which is yet unknown to us or intentionally blocked (Suppressed/Forgotten) as a means of pure survival. She believes art can assist in the healing process and bring the traumatic experiences of our life into the light, to be released and create a path for deep restorative healing. Inspired by the healing power of water, her work is informed by waterscapes and habitat of the Midwest and her travel adventures. She received her Bachelor of Science at UW-La Crosse and a MFA at New Mexico State University, where she focused on drawing, printmaking and photography. After receiving her master's degree, she went on to teach at several universities, including UW- La Crosse and Winona State University. She currently runs and teaches art out of her own space, Bonseye Studio.
Jenni Lilledahl
Jenni Lilledahl was co-owner of the renowned Brave New Workshop comedy theatre in Minneapolis for 25 years. There, she founded the Brave New Institute school for improvisation and has been teaching improvisation for 30 years. Her comedy career started in the 1990s doing stand-up in the Twin Cities. She then moved to sketch and improv performance, as well as writing. She is the creator of Improv for Life, an improv program offered at Gilda’s Club Twin Cities for people living with cancer.
“Jeff’s knowledge and passion for comedy surpasses anyone I know. We can’t wait to play with you!”
Jeff Myhre
“Comedy is acting out optimism.” --- Robin Williams said that. I think that’s why EVERYONE loved him. Jenni Lillidahl shared this concept with me years ago and I am delighted to be co-teaching this class with her. Jenni taught me everything I know about improv, and my six months gig for her company, The Brave New Workshop, was one of the happiest times of my life. I received my BFA in in acting a million years ago and was an actor with a day job in the Twin Cities (that included front desk duties for the ALS Association in Minnesota) before working with folks with disabilities full time. I’m a comedy scholar of sorts, with a ridiculous comedy record collection and participate and sometimes lead improv classes at Gilda’s Club Twin Cities.
David Motzenbecker
Motz Studios is a Minneapolis-based guide practice of therapeutic forest bathing walks based on the Japanese tradition of Shinrin Yoku. The firm is also a forest bathing trail design and landscape architecture consultancy with a focus on biophilic and salutogenic design, emphasizing the healing power of nature. David Motzenbecker, Founder, is one of the global “Top Five Walk Leaders” of ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guides, a Forest Therapy Trail Design and Certification Consultant, and an award-winning Landscape Architect practicing since 2001.
David has given over 250 walks to over 1,500 participants since 2018. Motz Studios draws on David’s inherent curiosity about the world and his international expertise in Japan and the U.K. Fellowships in both cultures deepened his study of design, arts, history, mysticism, and spirituality - and their connection to nature. David brings his design expertise in landscape architecture to his guide practice, demonstrating how nature has been a place of respite throughout history, and how we might use the lessons we glean from the forest in shaping our everyday lives and places.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
