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4.2.25 Mara Hanel
NWMAC Executive Director Mara Hanel spoke about many current opportunities and activities related to the arts in our region. This include upcoming grant deadlines (for organizations and individuals), the annual NW Art Exhibit at UMC open right now until April 27, Of the Year awards (NW Star Award Darcy Reese of Thief River Falls, Artist of the Year Loreen Hanson of Thief River Falls, and Arts Advocate of the Year Rena Zapata Bouchard of Crookston), the Awards Reception and Program on Sunday, April 27, and Welcome the Whimsical Exhibit Call for Art. Listen for all the details!
3.26.25 Samantha Buckley
Thief River Falls native Samantha Buckley is this week’s featured podcast guest. Samantha was active in TRFACT during her time in Thief River. After high school, she attended college and graduated from Mankato State with a BFA. Afterwards, she moved to the Twin Cities and acted in a variety of shows, including being an understudy in a performance at the Minnesota Children’s Theater. Samantha now lives and acts in Chicago. Listen to hear her advice for aspiring performers and about her experiences as an actor, singer, and voice artist.
3.19.25 Brayden Drevlow Part 2
Thief River Falls native Brayden Drevlow connected with Phil McKenzie in Singapore recently. This is the second part of their conversation. Brayden is a talented pianist. In the first part of the conversation he shared the challenges of practices his instrument when he travels. They spoke about how few pianos he finds internationally and the overuse of these pianos. Because of this, he has learned how to fix pianos. He fixes the pianos before his concerts. Now, when he returns to Minnesota for 3 to 4 months a year, he tunes and works on about 1,000 pianos. He also searches out pianos when he travels, fixes them, and performs.
Brayden has an upcoming concert in Alexandria on April 5 with the Central Lakes Symphony. Listen to hear their conversation.
3.12.25 Brayden Drevlow
Thief River Falls native Brayden Drevlow connected with Phil McKenzie in Singapore recently. They spoke about some of Brayden’s upcoming concerts — March 15 and 16 with the Bismark Symphony and one in Alexandria on April 5 with the Central Lakes Symphony. Besides being a world traveler, Brayden is a talented pianist. He attended Concordia for piano performance. He’s performed quite a bit internationally, including Siberia and Africa. He shared the challenges of practicing his instrument when he travels. Listen to hear the first part of their conversation.
3.5.25 Kat Allen
Warroad Artist Kat Allen spoke about working on the NWMAC Artists of NW Minnesota booklet as the graphic designer. Kat is a children’s author and visual artist, as well as a graphic designer. This resource is available on the NWMAC website here and in hard copy throughout the region (at libraries and other spots). The booklet highlights regional artists, arts businesses, and organizations that serve artists or offer arts programming. Each listing includes a photo of the artist and what they create or offer. The booklet also lists performing artists like musicians and bands. Kat also spoke about her books and one that will be published soon. Listen to the conversation to learn more!
2.26.25 Leslie LeCuyer Part 2
This week’s podcast continues the conversation with Leslie LeCuyer, Executive Director of Central Minnesota’s Art Council. Leslie spoke about projects that the Central Minnesota Arts Board provided funding for and the impacts of those projects. She also spoke about legislators and how important their support for the arts is. (hence the importance of Arts Advocacy Day) Leslie explained that art can build community and develop relationships. “The arts allow us to escape and address our emotions… The arts are an essential need.” Arts Advocacy is March 4 and you can see Leslie there. Listen to hear all the details of the conversation.
2.19.25 Leslie LeCuyer
Central Minnesota Regional Arts Director Leslie LeCuyer spoke with Phil this week. Leslie has a long history in the arts in Minnesota. She has served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, as a county board member, on the board of the Perpich Center for the Arts, and she’s a visual artist. Leslie spoke about her background, the importance of Arts Advocacy Day, the Legacy Amendment, and more. Listen to Part 1 of 2 of this conversation.
2.12.25 Isaiah Burkel
Isaiah Burkel is a classically trained singer (a tenor) from Thief River Falls. He acted in the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater as he grew up in northwest Minnesota. He has sung with the Minnesota Opera in the chorus. Listen to his conversation with Phil about his career, experience, the impact of participating in theater in his youth, how the Minnesota Opera works, his advice, and more!
2.5.25 Beau Bakken
Hallock Artist Beau Bakken spoke about his art, the background of and his work in the current exhibit Around the Farm, his artistic influences, painting murals, and more. He continues to think about what his high school art teacher Kay Rosengren told him,“Paint what you see and not what you think you see.” He is the featured artist in the current NWMAC Gallery exhibit Around the Farm. Listen to hear more.
1.29.25 Dane Froiland
Thief River Falls Public Schools Choir Director Dane Froiland spoke with Phil McKenzie about his teaching career, returning to Thief River to teach, the music that he teaches, his goals for the program, and upcoming concerts. He studied under former teacher Darcy Reese. Listen to learn about Dane and the choral program in Thief River Falls schools.
1.22.25 Sarah Fossen
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) Executive Director Sarah Fossen spoke with Phil McKenzie this week. MCA recently turned 50 years old. Sarah shared information about what MCA is and what they do, arts funding including the Legacy Amendment, Creative Minnesota, the research they do, MCA’s PAC, the benefits of the arts, her own arts background, and the upcoming Arts Advocacy Day on March 4 (register at artsmn.org). Listen for all the details!