Birch Creek Music Performance Center proudly announces its 50th season, a summer filled with world-class concerts, special guest artists, and unique celebrations marking this milestone year. Advanced student musicians will perform alongside nationally recognized faculty and guest artists, bringing unforgettable musical experiences to audiences in the historic Dutton Concert Barn. This once-in-a-lifetime season features newly commissioned works, a 50th season gala, time capsule, and a special 50th season video and mural honoring Birch Creek’s history.
50TH SEASON SPECIAL GUESTS
Percussion Symphony
Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Inspiring the Future
Thank you to our 50th Season Sponsors:
Leadership Circle
Birch Creek Board of Trustees
Steven and Jackie Kane
Charlotte Lukes
MMG Foundation
Private Family Fund
Roger and Lynn Van Vreede
Director’s Circle
Birch Creek Associates Volunteers
Anthony and Judith Licata
Patron’s Circle
Anthony and Priscilla Beadell
Jane and Gerry Berg
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Laurey and Phil Clampitt
Steven and Dawn Johnson
Supporter’s Circle
Frances Dutton; David and Pat Long
Steven and Mary Gomoll
Steve and Patti Vickman
Harold Jones Jazz II Guest Artist, Drums
Brian Groner Symphony Guest Conductor
Victor Provost Percussion Guest Artist
Michael Thurber Symphony Guest Composer, Bass
Jonathan Bass Symphony Guest Artist, Piano
Mary Elizabeth Bowden Symphony Guest Artist, Trumpet
Matthew Lipman Symphony Guest Artist, Viola
Birch Creek Mission Statement
To engage and nurture promising young and adult musicians through immersive, performance-based instruction in a professional, mentoring environment. By empowering them to achieve their full potential, we foster excellence in musical education and performance, and enhance our reputation as a leader in the field.
Welcome to Birch Creek!
Welcome to Birch Creek Music Performance Center! We are very excited to have you share in our 50 th season of exceptional music education and performance here in Door County.
This season, we are proud to introduce and welcome our new Executive Director, Jenna Ferdon. Jenna began her love for Birch Creek twenty years ago as a violin student in the Symphony Session and has been a Symphony Faculty Assistant for the past several years.
After ten very successful years as Executive Director, Mona Christensen will be retiring after this season. Mona will work closely with Jenna throughout this time of transition.
Your attendance is critical to fulfilling our mission of providing multiple live performance experiences for our students. Birch Creek’s instructional methods offer these young, gifted musicians the opportunity to observe and perform with world-class professional faculty.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to personally thank you for your attendance and financial support. Each of you is helping provide a solid performance-based foundation for these young musicians by keeping Birch Creek strong and growing into the future.
Enjoy the show!
Steven Gomoll
President, Birch Creek Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees
Steven Gomoll, President
Scott Brunswick, Vice President
Patti Vickman, Secretary
Stephen Kase, Treasurer
Steven Kane, Development Chair
Donna Altepeter
Celebrating Our 50th Season!
It is finally here – our 50th Season! The countdown has ended and I am over the moon that you have chosen to help celebrate 50 summers of life changing performances, performers, and musical fellowship at Birch Creek. And what an extraordinary season we have in store!
Each of this summer’s Academy sessions feature exceptional guest artists, many of whom are former Birch Creekers themselves. From Victor Provost in Percussion to Mary Elizabeth Bowden, Matthew Lipman, Jonathan Bass, Brian Groner, and Michael Thurber in Symphony, and Harold Jones in Jazz II, our Stage of Stars will be filled to the brim with incredible musicianship and newly composed works to mark this incredible milestone.
We hope you will immerse yourself in other special 50th Season events while you are here on campus! A history of Birch Creek is on display in the Melzer Gallery, our 50th Season video will be shown before each concert in the barn, and we will reminisce together on the people and events that brought us to this moment as we add memories to our time capsule throughout the season.
John Belmont, Associates Volunteers President
Jane Berg
Jim Blair
Greg Britton
Carla Byrnes
Jim Flint
Tammie Grossman
Joan Guasta
Steven Johnson
Lynn Kaczmarek
David Long
3821 County Rd E, PO Box 230, Egg Harbor, WI 54209 • Phone: (920) 868-3763 Fax: (920) 868-1643 • Email: MainOffice@BirchCreek.org • Website: BirchCreek.org
As we look to Birch Creek’s next 50 years, there is even more to celebrate! After an incredible summer of 30 concerts in the barn and over 20 free outreach concerts in our Door County community, we are welcoming in another exceptional fall lineup of free adult retreat concerts in August, a Fall Concert Series in September, and sell-out holiday favorites in December. We hope to see you there!
Incredible things are happening on campus, and it is all thanks to the generosity and support of donors and concertgoers like you. As a former “creeker” myself, I have experienced and witnessed firsthand what your commitment is capable of. Your dedication to our students and mission truly changes lives - it certainly changed mine.
It is a remarkable and undeniable honor to be working in support and service of our students and Birch Creek community. As you stroll the grounds this summer and fall, I hope you will stop me to say hello – I cannot wait to meet you!
From all of us at Birch Creek, thank you for being here and enjoy the concert!
Musically Yours,
Jenna Ferdon, Executive Director
The Steve and Jackie Kane Chair
2025 Special Events
Thursday, June 26 | 7:00 PM
James Dutton Memorial Concert
Join us for this special Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music concert in honor of Birch Creek’s Founder, the late James Dutton.
Friday, July 4
2:00 PM Social | 3:00 PM Concert
Independence Day Concert with Free Pie and Ice Cream Social
Celebrate the 4th of July with our famous pre-concert pie and ice cream social at 2:00 PM followed by a 3:00 PM concert. Patriotic music including Irving Berlin’s Symphonic Portrait, Peter Wilhousky’s Battle Hymn of the Republic, plus, Pixar Movie Favorites.
Children ages 11 and under are free.
Saturdays — June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9 | 1:00 PM
Free Family Community Concerts
Open to the public at no charge for family community concerts sponsored by the Town of Egg Harbor.
Wednesdays — July 23 & August 6
2:30-4:30 PM
Free Outreach Concerts
The Jazz Ambassadors with the Lab and Studio Bands from the Big Band Jazz Sessions (Jazz I and Jazz II) will each perform free concerts for the community at the Sister Bay Pavilion.
Thursday — July 24 & August 7 | 5-7 PM
Peg Egan PAC, Egg Harbor Concerts in the Park
The Jazz I and II Ambassadors will perform in Egg Harbor as part of the Concerts in the Park series. For the full Jazz Ambassadors schedule, visit BirchCreek.org.
Maestro Rune Bergmann Music Director
A New Pathway for the 50th
Each year, the Board of Trustees and staff identify infrastructure improvements for our beloved Birch Creek Campus. With significant, ongoing progress over the past ten years, we identified a major infrastructure project that improves accessibility and safety on our campus for years to come. Through the generosity of a competitive Community Investment Fund grant of $50,000 through Destination Door County and a grant from the Davis Foundation to complete the project, we replaced the pea-gravel pathways from the west parking lot with cement walkways. The new paths connect the west parking area to the Jackie and Steve Kane Gazebo and extends to the public restrooms in the West Dorm. The project in its entirety connects the east side of the campus to the west side with accessibility that will be used with ease by all Birch Creek patrons, friends, volunteers and staff.
We are thrilled with this major improvement and know that our concertgoers will benefit for years to come.
Colosimo’s Construction forms, pours, levels, and textures a batch of concrete for the new pathway in preparation for the 50th season.
A Birch Creek Timeline
1975
1977 - 1980
1977 The Granary is renovated for use as a student dorm, the barn for performances. First performance held in the barn.
1978 Student enrollment is 53; 11 concerts are performed over a 5-week session.
1979 Enrollment is 103, and faculty includes Russell Dagon, principal clarinetist with the Milwaukee Symphony, Lovel Ives, founder of the jazz program at UW-Green Bay, and UWGB marimbist Gordon Stout.
1980 Twenty-two concerts are performed in a full summer season including four free Sunday family matinee concerts.
1976
The Duttons begin a music school in their A-frame home with 12 students. The A-frame is also the site of the first public concert. That winter, the 19th century farmstead that is Birch Creek’s home was purchased from the Tischler family of Baileys Harbor.
1982
G. Allan O’Connor from Northern Illinois University begins the Steel Band program at Birch Creek; enrollment is 143, concert attendance 3,950.
A Birch Creek Timeline
1984 - 1988
1984 A new dormitory capable of housing 38 students and 6 faculty is built.
1986 Birch Creek’s 10th anniversary is celebrated with performances by Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra conducted by Buddy Morrow.
1988 The Birch Creek Associates volunteer group is formed.
1995 - 2000
1995 20th Anniversary celebration includes dedication of the James N. Dutton Concert Barn.
1998 A new kitchen/dining room is added to the Student Dorm. Student enrollment is 178; overall concert attendance exceeds 9,000.
1999 A music listening library opens in the farmhouse. Jazz pianist Marian McPartland continues the tradition of great guest artists at Birch Creek. The Jazz Ambassadors band is formed. Jim Dutton passes away.
2000 Birch Creek celebrates its 25th season, welcoming guest artists Peter Schickele, Gene Bertoncini, Harold Jones and Freddy Cole.
1990 - 1994
1990 The Picnic Grove is planted and the Gazebo is built by the Associates.
1991 Popcorn sales begin with all proceeds helping underwrite student scholarships.
1992 Birch Creek management passes to a reorganized Board of Trustees after the campus is purchased from the Duttons.
1994 A new administration building and a faculty dorm are built.
Birch Creek Founders Jim and Fran Dutton purchase the A-frame on County E across from the current campus.
A Birch Creek Timeline
2001 - 2002
2001 A piano lab, popcorn stand and gift shop make their campus debuts.
2002 The Associates Bench Project begins. A stage extension is added and the Dutton Concert Barn gets a new roof.
2005 - 2008
2007 Perfect Pitch Capital Campaign begins on Opening Night, with a goal to add three new buildings to the Birch Creek Campus.
2008 The newly built Rehearsal Center, Faculty Dormitory and Maintenance Building are dedicated on June 30, effectively doubling Birch Creek’s footprint.
2003 - 2004
2003 The Farmhouse undergoes major refurbishment.
2004 Cliff Alexis, world-renowned steel pan builder and tuner, holds masterclasses for students and performs concerts for audiences.
2010 - 2011
2010 To close out the Capital Campaign, the Final Pitch campaign is launched.
2011 “Jazz at Birch Creek” is recorded by Wisconsin Public Television in August and airs in 2012 throughout Wisconsin and in Rochester, NY.
A Birch Creek Timeline
2014 The Final Pitch campaign concludes. The Associates’ new concession stand in the East Granary opens in celebration of their 25th anniversary. Wisconsin Public Television records Symphony and Percussion & Steel Band sessions.
2017 - 2019
2017 New electrical service to the West Campus and an improved water filtration system are completed; the barn receives theatrical stage lighting. Adult Band Camp is launched.
2018 In Phase III of the Infrastructure and Technology Plan, office systems are moved to the Cloud.
2019 Chamber Music Retreat for adults is offered for the first time in August. Dutton Concert Barn stage is named “Stage of Stars” and the gazebo is named by Jackie and Steve Kane.
2021 - 2022
2021 Erickson Listening Library is dedicated. Academy reopens at half capacity with outdoor concerts.
2022 Campus fully reopens. The Concerto Competition is named by Laurey and Phil Clampitt. A new fire alert system is installed in the West Dorm Building.
2015 - 2016 2020
2015 Birch Creek celebrates its 40th season anniversary. The Associates Play It Again Stand opens in the Granary. The Fall Concert Series is introduced.
2016 The Dutton Concert Barn’s South Wall is replaced, and a new infrastructure plan begins.
COVID-19 pandemic causes Academy sessions and all summer and fall concerts to be cancelled. Birch Creek Online is launched.
2023 - 2024
2023 Student enrollment rises to 186, surpassing pre-COVID19 attendance. Adult Piano Retreat is launched in September.
2024 House lighting in the barn upgraded to industry standard. New flooring upgraded in the TA Building. A new, concrete slab and durable metal roof enhance outdoor dining seating area.
2005 Birch Creek celebrates its 30th season.
Our Academy Program Directors pictured in 2021: Jeff Campbell, Ricardo Castañeda and Dan Moore
1
Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music Faculty
When the city is your classroom, there is no telling the lessons you'll learn. Designed to be rigorous and collaborative, our programs of study give you the experience and the knowledge to confidently pursue a life dedicated to music.
Dan Moore Roger and Lynn Van Vreede Percussion Program Director Chair
Dan Moore, in his 27th year at Birch Creek, has served as Director of the Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music program since 2016. Dr. Moore, Professor of Percussion and Director of the award-winning percussion program at The University of Iowa, received the Iowa Regents Award for Faculty Excellence in 2018. An internationally known artist/teacher of percussion, composer, and music producer, Moore is a Yamaha international performing artist, Innovative Percussion signature mallet artist, and a performing artist for Sabian Cymbals, Gon Bops Percussion, and Grover Pro Percussion. Moore leads the Birch Creek faculty ensemble and teaches marimba/vibes performance, improvisation, snare drum technique, and ensemble performance.
Scott McConnell marks his eleventh year with Birch Creek in 2025. He is an active steelpan/percussion performer in a variety of styles throughout the Chicagoland area. McConnell has performed with the Illinois Festival Orchestra, the Harper College Orchestra, South East Steel Orchestra, Starlift Steel Orchestra, and the Carpe Diem String Quartet to name a few. He is also an educator, serving as the director of Steel Orchestras with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and as percussion faculty and rock ensemble instructor at Lewis University. Alongside McConnell’s ensemble teaching he maintains a private lesson studio teaching students of all ages.
Study and perform in the state-of-the-art Holtschneider Performance Center. Three floors, 185,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed performance, practice, and classroom space. A place where every student has the chance to be extraordinary.
Chicago is Music.
Anthony Di Sanza World Percussion Ensemble Director
In 2025, Anthony Di Sanza marks eleven years at Birch Creek. A UW-Madison Professor of Percussion, he’s a global performer and educator, having held residencies in North America, Europe and Asia. A visiting artist at over 45 colleges, universities, and conservatories, Di Sanza has performed in some of the world’s most important concert halls. He can be heard on over 15 internationally distributed recordings with various artists, including Sole NeroPiano and Percussion Duo, Mark Hetzler Chamber Ensemble, Linda Maxey with Galaxy Percussion and Keiko Abe and the Michigan Chamber Players. At Birch Creek, Di Sanza’s a faculty artist, teaching diverse percussion styles and directing ensembles.
Victor Provost Special Guest Artist
With a dazzling improvisational style, renowned steelpan virtuoso Victor Provost is recognized globally for seamlessly blending Bebop, contemporary flair, and Caribbean roots. Hailing from the US Virgin Islands, he’s a six-time “Jazz Percussionist of the Year” awardee by The Washington D.C. City Paper. Provost’s latest album, “Bright Eyes,” debuted at #5 on the iTunes Top 40 Jazz Charts. Having collaborated with jazz luminaries like Wynton Marsalis and Paquito D’Rivera, he’s a rarity in the jazz ecosystem, as noted by Downbeat Magazine.
Scott McConnell Steel Band Director
Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music Faculty
Michal Brauhn Damm, Norman, OK Wesley Morgan, Brookfield, IL
Peter Naughton, Platteville, WI
Save the Dates Symphony Faculty
Ricardo Castañeda Program Director, Sarah E. Wright Chair
2025 marks Ricardo Castañeda’s 28th year at Birch Creek. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance from Northwestern University, studying under Ray Still. Castañeda is a winner of the Northwestern University Concerto Competition and a recipient of the Wade Fetzer award for excellence in performance. He has appeared as a soloist in Latin America, Europe, the United States and Japan. Castañeda is Principal Oboist with The Chicago Sinfonietta, and solo English Horn with The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a member of the Chicago Ensemble and Barossa Woodwind Quintet. An active freelance musician, Castañeda enjoys performing all genres of music. He has played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Opera Theater and has been principal oboist for orchestras for The Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theater, and Joffrey Ballet as well as numerous Broadway in Chicago shows. Castañeda is on the faculty at University of Illinois at Chicago and Northeastern Illinois University. He is integral to the development and oversight of Symphony session programming.
Taka Matsunaga Conductor
Taka Matsunaga, the 2021 Conductor of the Year (Illinois Council of Orchestras) and a two-time American Prize winner in Orchestral Conducting, is Director of Orchestras and Assistant Professor of Music at Elmhurst University. He is also Founder and Music Director of the Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra and a Symphony Conductor at Birch Creek. Matsunaga came to the U.S. in 1998 to study violin with David Taylor, Joseph Golan, and Robert Chen, earning his master’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University. A former Civic Orchestra of Chicago member, he performed at Carnegie Hall under Maestro Daniel Barenboim and played with renowned conductors including Neeme Järvi, Christoph Eschenbach, and Pierre Boulez. He has conducted at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Center, and Walt Disney Concert Hall and led workshops at ILMEA conferences. A member of CODA, NAfME, ILMEA, and ASTA, he enriches the musical journey of aspiring musicians.
Elizabeth York Concertmaster, Charlotte Lukes Chair
Elizabeth York, based in St. Paul, MN, is a sought-after performer and teacher. She is Associate Concertmaster and Personnel Manager of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Professor of violin and viola at Gustavus Adolphus College. In Summer 2025, she will be a soloist with the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra on their Scotland and Ireland tour. An avid chamber musician, York explores styles from baroque to contemporary music. She was a 2023–24 MPR Classnotes artist with the Ninebark Ensemble, with recent performances at Montana and Apollo Chamber Music Festivals, Florestan Chamber Music, and 10th Wave Chamber Music Collective. York holds a dual DMA in violin and viola performance from Stony Brook University, along with degrees from East Carolina University and Stony Brook. Her teachers include Ara Gregorian, Soovin Kim, Phil Setzer, Dan Panner, Nicholas Cords, and Lawrence Dutton, with chamber studies under the Emerson String Quartet.
Symphony Faculty
Principal Second Violin
Marcia Henry Liebenow, Peoria, IL
Violin
Betty Lewis, Wilmette, IL
Viola
Susan Bengston Price, Fort Wayne, IN
Cello
Mary Moster and Lou Williams Chair
Sonia Mantell, Minneapolis, MN
Cello
Emily Mantell, Orland Park, IL
String Bass
Jeremy Attanaseo, Franklin Park, IL
Flute/Piccolo
Shirley Stolley Chair
Shannon Finney, Kansas City, MO
Oboe
Ricardo Castañeda, Oak Park, IL
Clarinet
Sergey Gutorov, Chicago, IL
Bassoon
John Gaudette, Chicago, IL
Horn
Dan O’Connell, Chicago, IL
Trumpet
Joan and Robert Schaupp Chair
Matthew Lee, Elmhurst, IL
Trombone
Steven Duncan, Chicago, IL
Tuba
Charles Schuchat, Chicago, IL
Bringing the score to life: Taka Matsunaga conducts with clarity and artistry.
Big Band Jazz Faculty
Jeff Campbell Program Director and Academy Jazz Orchestra Director, Jazz I & II
2025 marks Jeff Campbell’s 37th year at Birch Creek, 28th as Jazz Program Director. Dr. Campbell is Professor of Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media and department chair at Eastman School of Music. He has carved out an impressive career as a bass player fluent in both the jazz and classical idioms. As a jazz bassist, Campbell has performed with Marian McPartland, Gene Bertoncini, Rich Perry, Harold Jones, and others, and played at esteemed jazz festivals worldwide including in the former Soviet Union and the Baltic Republics. Additionally, Campbell is a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra bass section. He has numerous CDs to his credit.
Jazz I Faculty
Gil Wukitsch Lab Band Director, Anthony and Judith Licata Chair
Gil Wukitsch has been teaching at St. Charles East High School since 1997, where he directs the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Workshop, and extra-curricular pit orchestra, as well as co-directing the marching and pep bands. He also serves as the Fine Arts Department Chair, overseeing both Performing and Visual Arts. Wukitsch has a degree in music education from DePaul University, and a master’s in educational leadership from Aurora University. After attending Birch Creek as a student from 1989 to 1992, he has been a Birch Creek trumpet teaching assistant and faculty member and has directed both the Lab and Studio Bands.
Jim Stombres Studio Band Director Chair named in his honor
Central Illinois’ Youth Symphony
Bringing young musicians together since 1965.
Youth Music Illinois offers a wide variety of outstanding programs for students ages 4-18.
2025 is Jim Strombres’ 37th season with Birch Creek. He directed bands for more than 30 years in three suburban Chicago high schools, finishing his career at St. Charles North High School. Under Stombres’ direction, the Naperville North Wind Ensemble performed at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival and received the DownBeat Student Music Award for Outstanding Wind Ensemble. Stombres holds degrees from the Moody Bible Institute, Illinois State University, and Northwestern University. He is active in the Illinois Music Educators Association and the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators. Stombres also co-directs Birch Creek’s Wind Ensemble Retreat.
Jazz I Faculty
Ambassador Director
Marty Robinson, Appleton, WI
Alto Saxophone
Christopher McBride, Bronx, NY
Jason Swagler, Alton, IL
Tenor Saxophone
Scott Burns, Chicago, IL
Piano
Gordon and Grace
Gunnlaugsson Chair
Michael Stryker, Wheaton, IL
Trumpet
Joey Tartell, Bloomington, IN
Lennie Foy, Greencastle, IN
Trombone
Bill and Marti Thompson Chair honoring Audrey Morrison
Darren Sterud, Madison, WI
Trombone
Nelsen Campbell, Provo, UT
Bass
Jeff Campbell, Rochester, NY
Drums
Howard and Miriam Erickson
Chair
Greg Campbell, Seattle, WA
Guitar
Larry Brown, Chicago, IL
Jazz II Faculty
Phil Crews Lab Band Director
Phillip Crews received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, IL. He directed the band programs at Thornton High School and is band director at Rich Central High School in Crete, IL. Crews was recognized in 2009 for excellence in teaching by the Illinois State Board of Education receiving the “Those Who Excel” award and was honored with the Mary Hoffman Award of Excellence in recognition of teaching excellence in music education at the 2018 Illinois Music Education Conference. He was inducted into Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters Fraternity in 2017. Crews was a Birch Creek student in 1989 and joins us for a tenth season as a faculty member.
Steve Sveum Studio Band Director
Steve Sveum is the retired Director of Bands at Sun Prairie High School in Sun Prairie, WI, where jazz ensembles under his direction were selected twelve times as finalists in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Essentially Ellington” national jazz competition, placing third three times. Sveum has been a faculty member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Band Director Academy and has worked as a clinician at festivals around the United States. He is a 2014 recipient of the DownBeat Jazz Education Achievement award. The 2025 season marks 22 years for Sveum at Birch Creek’s summer music academy. Sveum also co-directs Birch Creek’s Wind Ensemble Retreat.
Jazz II Faculty
Ambassador Director
Katie Ernst, Chicago, IL
Alto Saxophone
David Bixler, New York, NY
Trombone
Steve Horne, Glenview, IL
Clarence Hines, Jacksonville, FL
Piano
Drums
Dennis Mackrel, Flushing, NY
Guitar
Forever in Time Chair
In the practice room with Jazz I Trumpet Faculty, Joey Tartell— refining tone, technique, and musicality.
2024 Student Awards
The Birch Creek Student Awards are presented at the end of each two-week session and are based on musicianship and leadership. First-place winners are eligible for a partial tuition scholarship for the following season. In the event that a first-place winner cannot return, the runner-up or honorable mention is eligible for the scholarship. The two first-place winners of the Concerto Competition are eligible to perform one movement of a concerto on opening night of the following season. In the event that a first-place winner cannot perform, the runner-up or honorable mention is eligible for the honor. An asterisk (*) indicates the award recipients who you will see on stage at Birch Creek in 2025.
Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music
Outstanding Performer
Winner: Sydney Nichols
Runner-up: Jenna Zimmerman
Most Improved Student
Winner: George Wurl*
Runner-up: Caleb Johnson
Symphony
Outstanding String Student
Winner: Lily Yoshihara
Honorable Mention: William Maeda*
Honorable Mention: Mateo Estanislao
Outstanding Woodwind Student
Winner: Owen Driscoll*
Honorable Mention: Madison Barber*
Outstanding Brass Student
Winner: Thomas Chapski*
Honorable Mention: Carter Ollmann
Honorable Mention: Trista Schepp
Outstanding Percussion / Harp / Piano Student
Winner: Matthew Tian
Honorable Mention: Celine Eldira*
2024 Clampitt Concerto Competition
Winner: Benjamin Levin
Winner: William Maeda*
Honorable Mention: Ayden Hunt
Honorable Mention: Owen Driscoll*
Jazz I
Outstanding Rhythm Section Player
Winner: Kordale Hill
Runner-up: Ryan Weaver
Most Improved Rhythm Section Player
Winner: Jillian Guenther
Runner-up: Maggie Crichton*
Outstanding Wind Instrument Player
Winner: Chloe Langford
Runner-up: Ezekiel Dittmer*
Most Improved Wind Instrument Player
Winner: Abby Hachim*
Runner-up: Ethan Oommen*
Jazz II
Dutton Memorial Scholarship
Winner: Keira Jenkins*
Runner-up: Linnea Olsen*
Outstanding Rhythm Section Player
Winner: Ethan Matthews
Runner-up: Jacob Boba*
Most Improved Rhythm Section Player
Winner: Caitlyn Rochester
Runner-up: Mason Mather*
Outstanding Wind Instrument Player
Winner: Mike Angelaccio*
Runner-up: Damir Facsko*
Most Improved Wind Instrument Player
Winner: Riley Kwon
Runner-up: Gregory Klinkner
Winner of the Dutton Memorial Scholarship, Keira Jenkins, with Jeff Campbell (Big Band Jazz I and II Program Director), Steve Sveum (Lab Band Director), Nic Meyer (Studio Band Director), and Marty Robinson (Ambassadors Director).
Artists in the Schools / Community Outreach
Founded in 2002, Birch Creek’s Artists in the Schools outreach program (AIS) brings nationally acclaimed Birch Creek faculty members back to Door County after the summer performances have concluded to serve as clinicians for Door County public school music students. The 2024 event featured nationally acclaimed Birch Creek faculty, including Jazz II session faculty and Ambassador Director Marty Robinson (trumpet), retired Percussion faculty Dane Richeson, and professional bassist and composer Mark Urness. The group visited local schools, sharing their expertise and passion with public school music students. Their interactive sessions covered the art of jazz improvisation, offered technical tips, and encouraged active participation, allowing students to experience music in a hands-on and impactful way.
Land Acknowledgment
Birch Creek Music Performance Center campus is located on the ancestral homeland of the Menominee, Oneida and Ho-chunk nations. As an organization that stewards our land and educates generations of music students, we acknowledge these nations who have stewarded this land throughout generations. We acknowledge the history of genocide and the forced cessation of their lands and pay respect to their elders past and present. This acknowledgment does not take the place of authentic relationships with indigenous communities; it serves as the first step in honoring this land and the people who cared for it.
Pictured with Sawyer Elementary School students are Birch Creek Jazz Faculty member Marty Robinson, retired Birch Creek Percussion Faculty member Dane Richeson, and guest artist Mark Urness.
Wayne Newton JUNE 9 • Koo Koo JUNE 16
Los Lonely Boys JUNE 21 • Asleep at the Wheel JUNE 26
Hurray for the Riff Raff JUNE 30
JJ Grey & Mofro JULY 10 • Sara Evans JULY 16
Mat Kearney JULY 22 The Wailin’ Jennys JULY 23
Arturo Sandoval JULY 30
Straight No Chaser AUG. 2 • Cloud Cult AUG. 10
Charlie Berens SEPT. 5 • OkCello SEPT. 22
The California Honeydrops SEPT. 27
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives OCT. 23
Dance Alive’s The Nutcracker NOV. 30
GROUP MEMBERSHIP
Arturo Sandoval JULY 30
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Milestones
Birch Creek recognizes faculty members who have dedicated 20 and 30 seasons or more to serving the academy. “20 Year Club” and “30 Year Club” inductees include the following:
Milestones
The 20 Year Club (continued)
The 30 Year Club
2025 Inductees
Clay Jenkins - The 20 Year Club
Clay Jenkins’ career as a jazz artist has spanned a wide range of musical experiences, bringing him to the forefront of jazz performance and education. He began performing at an early age with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and later moved to Los Angeles in 1978, where he became an indemand performer and studio musician, touring with the big bands of Buddy Rich and Count Basie.
Since joining the Eastman School of Music faculty in 2000, Jenkins has maintained a busy schedule of performing, recording, and teaching. He continues to perform with the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, where he worked closely with the great Eugene “Snooky” Young (1919-2011).
In honor of Young, Jenkins established the Snooky Young Endowed Scholarship at Eastman to support under-represented minority students. He is also writing a biography of Snooky Young’s life.
Jenkins has appeared on over 100 recordings, released seven solo albums, and recorded with artists including Joe LaBarbera, Harold Danko, Rufus Reid, and Alan Ferber. He also performs with his Eastman colleagues as Trio East.
Birch Creek Administration
Executive Director, the Steve and Jackie Kane Chair
Jenna Ferdon began as Birch Creek’s Executive Director in 2025, with over fifteen years of experience as a musician, instructor, and arts administrator, most recently in Lincoln, Jenna’s lifelong work in the arts began here at Birch Creek as a student of the Academy’s Symphony Session, which she wholeheartedly believes handed her the key to unlocking a fulfilling and successful career in the musical arts. By blending her knowledge and experience in performance, education, and administration, she has picked up the baton to direct the upcoming chapters of Birch Creek’s long, impactful and meaningful legacy.
Mona Christensen Executive Director Emeritus
Mona Christensen has successfully led Birch Creek as Executive Director for 10 years. Now serving as Executive Director Emeritus, she is honored to celebrate the organization’s 50th season with new Executive Director Jenna Ferdon, while supporting the academy, staff, patrons, and donors. Throughout her career, Mona has effectively engaged faculty and volunteers to serve a diverse clientele in various programming environments. With her expertise in developing music programs and the technologies needed, Birch Creek is well-positioned for a bright future. She continues to be an active flute player and managed a longstanding private studio in Green Bay. Mona will fully retire at the end of the season.
Facilities Manager
Paul joined Birch Creek in late 2022 as facilities manager. With degrees in engineering and medicine, he brings a desire to ensure Birch Creek’s facilities work appropriately to allow the music and learning to continue. Paul played percussion in high school and as an undergraduate student.
Development and Operations Manager
returned to Door County in 2024 and took on the role of Development & Operations Manager at Birch Creek. With a public service career spanning 40 years, has a wealth of experience in education, administration, and nonprofit leadership. His career includes serving as a public-school teacher and district administrator, a program administrator and commission director in the office of the governor, and five years as a nonprofit director. Recently appointed by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board, Bob represents community-based agencies and is passionate about supporting Door County’s nonprofit sector. Bob plays tenor saxophone and ukulele.
Michelle Naese Office and Registration Manager
Michelle started with Birch Creek in 2015 as Administrative and Office Support Assistant and she is currently the Academy’s Registrar and Office Manager. She holds an Administrative Professional Associate Degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College–Green Bay. Michelle has 10 years of experience as a law office clerk. A musician herself, she played the trumpet throughout middle school and high school.
Laura Smith Marketing Manager
Laura Smith joined the Birch Creek Staff with six years of marketing experience in the jewelry insurance industry. Her past work also includes a career as a TV news reporter and anchor serving Northeast Wisconsin. She is experienced in building relationships, communicating with people, video production and photography. She holds degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
2025 Support Staff
Office Support
Allie Waino, Public Relations Intern, Suamico, WI
Ellen Fredrich, Bookkeeping and Operations
Assistant, Volunteer Liaison, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Kelly Robinson, Box Office Intern, Appleton, WI
Robin Walker, Administrative Assistant, Egg Harbor, WI
Maintenance
Bill Schutté, Lead Maintenance Technician, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Kitchen
Anthony (AJ) Dickens, Manager, Milwaukee, WI
Mary Niedzwiecki, Cook, Baileys Harbor, WI
Nathan Reifsnyder, Cook, Baileys Harbor, WI
Kathi Marquez, Cook, Fish Creek, WI
Trista Schepp, Kitchen Assistant, De Pere, WI
Production Crew
Amber Meyers, House Management, DeForest, WI
Skylar Harris, Sound and Lights, Bountiful, UT
Residential Living
Emily Brewer, Head Counselor, Minneapolis, MN
Samantha Jeanquart, Co-Head Counselor, Appleton, WI
Maxwell Volk, Co-Head Counselor, Combined Locks, WI
Olivia Flood, Counselor, Madison, WI
Olivia Garcia, Counselor, Beloit, WI
Ryan Gessel, Counselor, North Salt Lake, UT
Andrew Hansen, Counselor, Iowa City, IA
Khadija Nagi, Counselor, DeKalb, IL
Benjamin Stolze, Counselor, Waco, TX
The Birch Creek Associates Volunteers
Terri Back, Mark Woerfel, Terry Schneider, and Betty VanBellinger are all smiles as they prepare to sell snacks and drinks at the July 11, 2024 Symphony concert.
Our dedicated volunteers - The Associates Volunteers - are the friendly faces you see greeting you around campus. For more than 30 years, the Associates Volunteers have supported Birch Creek’s educational mission by helping with campus beautification, ushering at concerts, staffing the concession stand, assisting with registration, tending to our gardens, doing office work and preparing the campus for students, faculty and patrons. In a typical season, members provide more than 3,000 hours of service. The Associates Volunteers have raised more than $400,000 for scholarships, equipment purchases and capital projects. This group of volunteers is an integral part of Birch Creek’s success.
If you would like to learn more about the Associates Volunteers or become a member, please see one of the volunteers, a staff member or contact us at Associates@BirchCreek.org or 920-868-3763.
2025 Birch Creek Associates Volunteers (as of April 30, 2025):
Roy and Terri Back
Sandy and Steve Bader
Alice and John Belmont
Jane Berg
Carla Byrnes
Kathy and John Campbell
Rudy Carl
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Dave Christensen
Laurey Clampitt
James F Clark
Trissa Crowley
Charlene Cutler
Jackie and Steve Draws
Fran Dutton
Barbara and James Erlenborn
Chris Fenner
Jennifer Garber
Lisa Gibson
Peter Grimyser
Joan Guasta
Terry Heidenreiter and
Jeanne Rabel
Barbara and Doug Henderson
Bill and Jane Hensge
Thomas Hopfensperger
Karl and Lyn Huber
Dawn and Steve Johnson
Dick Johnson
Katherine and Roger Jones
Lynn Kaczmarek
Judith and Thomas Kapellen
Cynthia Kase
Darcy Kriha
Carol and Larry Lacombe
Carmen Lang
Brenda Lange
David and Patricia Long
Charlotee Lukes
Sharon Michalsen
Bill and Raetta Mirgain
Gwen and James Mitsche
Mary Moster
Curt and Pat Neudecker
Frank Pammer
Denny and Sandy Pearson
Joan Pleuss
Peggy Prindle
Karen and Richard Ratchman
Mary Reinsmoen
David Resch
Jim and Marianne Richards
Taylor Richey
Robert Ross
Terry Schneider
Jacquelyne Sepsey
Marti Thompson
Betty VanBellinger
Patricia and Steven Vickman
Sue Vineyard
Dave and Donna Wilkinson
Marcia Willhite
Bonnie and Jim Wirth
Mark and Sarah Woerfel
Eric Wolf
Cheryl and Hugh Zettel
Photo by Heidi Hodges Photography
Sandy Pearson freshens garden beds at the grounds and garden workday just prior to the arrival of 2024’s faculty and students.
Adult Music Programs at Birch Creek
Music. Learning. Escape.
Experience the joy of learning and enhancing your music performance skills in the supportive, encouraging and peaceful environment of Birch Creek Music Performance Center. With a full daily schedule of rehearsals, sectionals, ensembles and masterclasses, you will refine your music performance skills and still have time to enjoy the allure of quintessential Door County.
Co-Directors
Jim Stombres
Steve Sveum
Brayer Teague
Chamber Music Retreat
Special Thanks to our 2025 Concert Sponsors
Anonymous Donor
Anthony and Priscilla Beadell
Charles Beasley
Birch Creek Board of Trustees
Jane and Gerry Berg
Jim and Pat Blair
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Laurey and Phil Clampitt
Dr. Dennis and Bonnie Connolly
Fran Dutton
The Family of Irene Mayer
Jim and Barbara Flint
Garrett and Patricia Gardi
Steve and Mary Gomoll
Joan Guasta
In memory of Jan Johnson
Steve and Dawn Johnson
Lynn Kaczmarek and Mack Bonk
Kane Family
Stephen and Kathy Kuhn
Anthony and Judith Licata
David and Pat Long
Charlotte Lukes
MMG Foundation
Fred and Christi Moritz
Mary Moster
Ray and Claire Moulis
Private Family Fund
Jim and Peggy Ryan
From Suzi, in loving and cherished memories of her mother, Florence Spanbauer
Ben and Jane Stephen
Tim and Sue Stone
Marti Thompson
Roger and Lynn Van Vreede
Steve and Patti Vickman
For more information on concert sponsorship opportunities, contact us at (920) 868-3763 or email MainOffice@BirchCreek.org. Birch Creek is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation; your donation will be receipted for tax purposes.
Assisted
2025 Summer Concerts
All concerts at 7:00 PM unless noted below.
Thursday | June 19
In the Groove: 5 Decades of Birch Creek Percussion
Thursday | June 26
Percussion Hit Parade: Volume II James Dutton Memorial Concert
Friday | June 20
Percussion Hit Parade: Alumni Edition
Friday | June 27 | 3 & 7 PM
Caribbean Cruise: The Art of Steel Pan featuring Victor Provost Provost, “Transitions | Transformations”
Celebrating 50 Years: The Music of Michael Thurber Weber/Berlioz, “Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65” Eccles, “Sonata in G Minor” Michael Thurber, Bass Guest Artist Faust, “Ballet Music” Thurber, “Symphonic Dances”
Saturday | July 19
Swing into Summer
Saturday | July 26
Celebrating 50 Years of Jazz in the Barn
Friday | August 1
3 PM
The Styles and Sounds of Big Band Jazz
Friday | August 8
Soulful Blues and Big Band Jazz
Harold Jones, Guest Artist
Saturday | August 2
Big Band Jazz
Summer Favorites
Saturday | August 9
Celebrating 50 Years of Birch Creek Jazz
2025 Fall Concert Series Featuring
Birch Creek Faculty
Juniper Hall | All concerts at 7:00 PM unless noted below.
September 6 & 7
Dueling Pianos - The Sequel featuring Jodie DeSalvo and Colin Welford
Two of Door County’s finest musicians return for a dynamic performance on the remarkable Omega double-keyboard piano! Jodie and Colin offer a dazzling, high-energy performance filled with wit, virtuosity, and musical surprises.
In collaboration with Colin and Friends
September 6 | 7:00 PM September 7 | 2:00 PM
September 20
Lawrence University Jazz Trio featuring Dane Richeson (drums/percussion), Mark Urness (bass), and Bill Carrothers (piano) Known for their masterful interplay and improvisation, this trio delivers a dynamic performance blending jazz tradition with contemporary expression.
September 27
Talk of the Town featuring Kevin Van Ess and his Dixieland Jazz Band Nationally recognized Bourbon Street Dixieland Jazz group returns to fill the air with infectious energy and upbeat rhythms.
December 6
Christmas at Birch Creek featuring Birch Creek Symphony Brass and Guest Performers
Family Matinee | 2:30 PM Evening Concert | 7:00 PM
Planned Giving at Birch Creek
A planned gift is any major gift made during one’s lifetime or in their will that is part of a donor’s overall financial and/or estate planning. Planned giving allows donors to keep their philanthropic values alive and active through Birch Creek’s mission. Planned Giving categories include The Endowment, The Legacy Circle and Named Gifts.
Planned Giving - The Birch Creek Endowment
The Birch Creek Board of Trustees began the process of building an endowment of permanently held funds in 2000. They designated four funds for donors’ gifts within the Birch Creek Endowment, each focusing on different aspects of Birch Creek’s mission. A donor may place contributions in one of the four funds, thereby restricting how earnings from their gifts may be used. The Endowment principal (the gift itself) is everlasting. Listed here are the Funds and the sub-funds within them where a donor has met the minimum gift requirement needed to establish a sub-fund; or, a donor has pledged a significant contribution to name a building, place within a building, faculty chair, or one of Birch Creek’s flagship programs. In italics are the names of those whose gifts were received between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025.
4
FUNDS
BUILDING FOR TOMORROW FUND
LIFETIME FOR EDUCATION FUND
NOW & FOREVER FUND
SCHOLARSHIPS FOREVER FUND
BUILDING FOR TOMORROW FUND
Capital campus improvements
Gifts to Fund the Principal Anonymous
Janet Gallagher
Joe Guthridge
Paul and Barb Ristau
Sub-funds
Joan B. Guasta Capital Sub-fund
Joan Guasta
Robert Koehler Memorial
Brad and Mary Koehler
Kaye M. Wagner Memorial
In Memory of Kaye M. Wagner Anonymous
LIFETIME FOR EDUCATION FUND
Curriculum components including faculty and guest artist fees
Gifts to Fund the Principal
Roy and Betsy Gill
Jon and Sally Jonas
Sub-Funds
Greg and Becky Britton
Greg and Becky Britton
Lucile Grams Memorial
1
Permanently Named Faculty Chairs
Jane and Gerry Berg Jazz II Piano
Faculty Chair
Howard and Miriam Erickson Jazz II Drum
Faculty Chair honoring Bob Chmel
In Memory of Robert (Bob) Chmel
Joan Guasta
Ben and Lee Kordus
In Memory of Miriam Erickson
Dwight and Mary Jo Anderson
American Dental Association
Jane and Gerry Berg
Carey Bertschinger, Christy Bertschinger, Cindy Livingston and Emily Pitchford
Scott and Lynn Brunswick
2
Jim and Barbara Bunning
Susan Caldwell
Dave and Connie Callsen
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Dave and Mona Christensen
Patrick and Anita Conlon
Peter and Myra Cristall
Bob and Liz Dickson
Door County Home and Community Education - Harborettes Club
The Birch Creek Endowment
Joan Guasta
Barbara and James Hansen
Doug and Barbara Henderson
Ronald Hilton
Charlotte Lukes
Pat Malkemus
Robert and Vivian Miller
Jim and Sue Morris
Kate Rericha
Jim and Peggy Ryan
Terry J. Schneider
John and Jane Stevenson Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Steve and Patti Vickman
Roger and Lynn Van Vreede Charitable Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
Nancy Grimm Symphony Clarinet
Faculty Chair
Gordon and Grace Gunnlaugsson Jazz 1
Piano Faculty Chair
Anthony and Judith Licata Jazz I Lab Band
Director Chair
Charlotte Lukes Concertmaster Chair
Mary Moster and Lou Williams Symphony
Cello Faculty Chair
Joan and Robert Schaupp Symphony
Trumpet Faculty Chair
Shirley Stolley Symphony Flute
Faculty Chair
Jazz I Studio Band Director Chair honoring
James Stombres
Bill and Marti Thompson Jazz I Trombone
Faculty Chair honoring Audrey Morrison
In Memory of Bill Thompson
Deborah Day
Marty Krebs
In Honor of Marti Thompson
Deborah Day
Forever in Time Jazz II Guitar Faculty Chair
Roger and Lynn Van Vreede Percussion
Program Director Chair honoring Dan
Moore Sub-fund
Roger and Lynn Van Vreede
Charitable Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
Permanently Named Programs
Laurey and Phil Clampitt Concerto Competition
Permanently Named Places on Campus
Jackie and Steve Kane Gazebo
Faculty Dorm Room #108 In honor of Don Makuen and Charlie Dickson, a gift of
Tom and Marlys Regan
Wright Housing, In Memory of Sarah E. Wright
NOW and FOREVER FUND
Supplements the cost of day-to-day operations
Sub-funds
Alan and Virginia Eades
In Memory of Alan Eades
Jane and Gerry Berg
Dave and Vonnie Callsen
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Dave and Kathy Cecil
Dave and Mona Christensen
Virginia Eades
Dolly and Chuck Emerson
Gail Fischer
Steven and Mary Gomoll
Joan Guasta
Horseshoe Bay Golf Club
Margaret Kirkbride
Charlotte Lukes
Lynn E. Pohanka
Kate Rericha
Tim and Sue Stone
Steve and Patti Vickman
Jack and Barbara Zilavy
Joan Guasta
Wes and Cookie Kramlich Memorial
Roy and Charlotte Lukes
William and Ruth Melzer Memorial
Bonnie and Peter Platten
Robert and Catherine Tilden
SCHOLARSHIPS FOREVER FUND
Scholarships for students of high musical skills, merit, and financial need
Sub-funds
Otto and Jean Andreae Memorial
Paul Aspinwall Scholarship Sub-fund
Paul Aspinwall
Joel and Mary Ann Blahnik Scholarship
Sub-fund
4
The Birch Creek Endowment (continued)
George (Lee) Bourassa Memorial
William and Nancy Carpenter
Connolly Family
Dr. and Mrs. Dennis and Bonnie Connolly
Donald and Lois Deane Memorial
Lucile Grams Memorial
Richard and Jan Johnson
Maihaugen Foundation
MMG Foundation
Allan Peterson Memorial
Joseph and Marian Phelps Memorial
David and Peggy Babb
In Memory of Ruth Smith
David and Peggy Babb
Ernest Seeman Memorial
Linda Clarke
Larry Seeman
William and Ann Taylor Memorial
Elliott and Shyla Wollman Memorial
Permanently Named Scholarships
Anonymously Named Scholarship (2)
Bert, Marianne, and Ben Scholarship
Bonita R. Bruce Memorial Scholarship
In Memory of Bonita Bruce
Paul Aspinwall
James Dutton Merit Scholarship
In Memory of James Dutton
Frances Dutton
Founders Funds
In Memory of Sonja Stork
Don Stork
In Honor of Kate Rericha’s Retirement
Scott and Lynn Brunswick
Carla Byrnes and Sara Oswald
Joan Guasta
Steve and Patti Vickman
Brian T. Hynes and Barry J. Hynes Memorial Scholarship
Virginia Eades
Phyllis C. and James Ingwersen Scholarship (2)
In Honor of Jim Ingwersen
Gretchen Jordan
George Kress Foundation Scholarship
Ralph Pratt Memorial Scholarship
Sylvia K. Pratt
A Scholarship In Cherished Memories of Florence Spanbauer
Bill Vineyard Memorial Scholarship
Sue Vineyard
Frank and Carol Weber Scholarship
Stanley R. and Robert E. Wright Scholarship (3)
The Legacy Circle
Upon returning to Door County in 2012 to pursue employment opportunities, my wife Patti and I were gifted with tickets to attend a summer concert at Birch Creek. As vocal musicians, we were absolutely gobsmacked by the unbelievable talent and dedication of the young musicians and their teachers. As we approached retirement age and searched for an opportunity to invest our time and resources into a cause that inspired us, it seemed that Birch Creek was a perfect fit! We feel privileged to support an organization that provides nurturing professional musical training to aspiring teenage musicians.
We believe strongly in the transformative power of music. We have witnessed how Birch Creek enriches lives, builds discipline, and fosters connections across generations. At Birch Creek students are mentored by world-class musicians gaining experience not just in performance but also in professionalism and teamwork. We have seen firsthand how this environment sparks growth in young peoplemusically, personally, and emotionally. We have seen first-hand that supporting their journeys has been incredibly rewarding to us as well!
As retirees, we now have the gift of time, and we have made the decision to spend it meaningfully. Whether we are helping at concerts, greeting concert guests, or assisting behind the scenes, volunteering at Birch Creek has allowed us to be part of something greater than ourselves. Financially we contribute as members of the Legacy Circle knowing that our support helps sustain scholarships, facilities, and program excellence. Ours is an investment in the future of the arts in Door County and in the bright young minds who will carry it forward.
In the early years of establishing the Birch Creek Endowment, many memorial gifts were made to honor a donor or designee. Although these funds are no longer active, Birch Creek Board of Trustees recognizes the gifts that were so vital in beginning the Endowment. The principal remains in each fund as restricted by the donor and continues to generate earnings.
Lifetime for Education Fund, honoring Dick and Kit Conner
Erik Eriksson
Robert Hohman
G. Allan (Al) O’Connor
Now & Forever Fund, honoring Dick and Kit Conner
Mark and Ann Jinkins
John and M. Lynn Lees
Donald Makuen
Scholarships Forever Fund, honoring Robert Borgstede
Jay Dorschel
Marilyn Hanford Goldman and Harris Goldman
William Grimes
John Leick
Nancy Makuen
John (Jack) Mitchell
Irving Moberg
John Pfeifer
Eugene Stevens
Reverend William White
More than anything else, Birch Creek has given us COMMUNITY - a place where music, purpose and people come together. We are blessed at Birch Creek to be surrounded by students, faculty and fellow volunteers who share a love of music and a commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians. It is a joy to witness each summer session and an honor to play a small part in its success. Supporting Birch Creek has not just been a choice we made but a passion that we both share, and we are grateful to be a part of its enduring legacy!
Patti & Steve Vickman
Named Gifts
The names of many distinguished roles and important places on our campus have become familiar and easily identified by all who come to Birch Creek. For many donors, a meaningful step in their philanthropy is to name a scholarship, a room, a building, or a faculty chair in the endowment.
This year, we are thrilled to announce that a program director chair has been named in the Lifetime for Education Fund of the Birch Creek Endowment. Our new Sub-fund honors our long-time Program Director, Faculty Performer, and member of the “20 Year Club” with the distinction, Roger and Lynn Van Vreede Percussion Program Director Chair honoring Dan Moore Sub-fund.
With admiration, we present the names of Legacy Circle members.
Legacy Circle Members
Buffy Andreae
Anonymous (3)
Anthony and Priscilla Beadell
Charles Beasley and Fred Mann*
Jane and Gerry Berg
Bert*, Marianne*, and Ben*
Carla Byrnes and Sara Oswald
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Dave and Mona Christensen
Peter and Myra Cristall
Frances Dutton
Virginia T. Eades
Miriam Erickson*
Lucile M. Grams Charitable Lead
Annuity Trust*
Joan Guasta
Phyllis C.* and James* Ingwersen
Vicki Peterson Jenks
Steve and Jackie Kane
Stephen and Wendy Kase
Irene Daniell Kress Revocable Trust*
Henry and Dorothy Kuettner
Endowment Fund*
Marguerite L. Lembke and Lillian A.
Lembke Revocable Trust*
Anthony and Judith Licata
Charlotte Lukes
Fredric and Christi Moritz
Mary Moster and Louis Williams*
Thomas Regan
Estate of Ernell F. Rothe*
Carl and Barbara Shakal
Cynthia Stiehl
Diane (Di) Taillon
Bill* and Marti Thompson
Steven and Patricia Vickman
Adolf and Ursula Walser
Revocable Trust*
Anne* and Jim White
Sarah E. Wright Charitable Trust* *deceased
“We are thrilled to honor Dan with the Program Director Chair for Percussion. His mastery of his craft, quick wit and his entertaining manner combined with his commitment to Birch Creek are qualities he brings that help our students excel beyond expectation. The focus on the educational mission to serve and strengthen young musicians as whole people combined with the way that Birch Creek operates, speaks to the vision of the Board of Trustees, the dedication of staff and the tireless service of the volunteers. It is our honor to pay tribute to Dan and the good work that Birch Creek provides for musicianship, music, the arts, and the community.”
Tempo Partners
Recurring gifts provide the greatest flexibility for our donors and can be established in intervals that make the best sense to the donor.
“We enjoy being a part of the Tempo Partner program first because our monthly donations provide a reliable and steady stream of income, allowing Birch Creek to plan and budget more effectively. This stability helps them to continue offering high-quality performances and programs.
“We love Birch Creek because we know performing arts organizations play a crucial role in enriching the cultural fabric of our community. Our contributions help to keep the music accessible fostering a vibrant and diverse cultural scene. Our donations support these initiatives, helping to nurture the next generation.
“We know by donating, we are directly supporting the artists and students who bring performances to life. This can help them to continue their creative work and contribute to the cultural landscape. We know we are making a difference and supporting something we are passionate about and it brings a great sense of fulfillment and joy.”
For more information on Legacy Circle membership, Named Gifts, or Tempo Partners, please contact Jenna Ferdon at Birch Creek at (920) 868-2240.
Lynn and Roger Van Vreede
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Legacy Circle members—whose planned gifts help ensure Birch Creek’s future—were honored at the Legacy Circle Thank You Gathering on June 25, 2024, held at the iconic Alpine Resort. Guests were treated to a lively and engaging performance by Birch Creek Percussion faculty trio Dan Moore, Rodrigo Villanueva, and Wesley Morgan.
Annual Giving at Birch Creek
Play It Forward Annual Fund
The Play It Forward Annual Fund is used for operational expenses and bridges the gap between tuition paid by families and the true cost of program delivery. See page 56 for more details.
Annual Scholarships
Scholarship donations provide sustaining, continuing tuition support enabling Birch Creek to recruit promising young musicians, encourage students to return in following years, and, for some families, remove barriers to a Birch Creek education that tuition imposes. See donors list on page 55.
Concert Sponsorship
Concert sponsorship allows Birch Creek to continue attracting some of the finest musicians and performers in the country, as well as providing our students with the invaluable experience of performing before live audiences. See page 39 for more information.
Capital Gifts
Capital gifts support campus infrastructure projects essential to ongoing student, faculty, and concertgoer safety, and necessary for planning for Birch Creek’s future. See page 8 for more information.
Acknowledgment of Our Donors
Birch Creek is privileged to receive many gifts throughout the year; listed here are gifts received between May 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025. Birch Creek is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and donations are receipted for tax purposes.
Donation Levels
Leadership Circle
$10,000 & above
Encore
$250 to $999
Leadership Circle
Anonymous
Paul Aspinwall
Laurey and Phil Clampitt
Community Investment Fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
Dwight and Linda Davis Foundation
Susie Gebhardt
Joan Guasta
Tom and Carole Guyette
Steven and Jackie Kane
Henry and Dorothy Kuettner Endowment Fund
Director’s Circle
$2,500 to $9,999
Mentor’s Circle
$100 to $249
Anthony and Judith Licata
Charlotte Lukes
Charles McKee
MMG Foundation
Nicholas Family Foundation
Private Family Fund
Sargent Family Foundation
Town of Egg Harbor
Roger and Lynn Van Vreede
Charitable Fund within the
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
Sue Vineyard
Wisconsin Arts Board
Greater Milwaukee
Foundation’s Forbes/Berend Family Fund Care of Jim and Nancy Forbes
Irene M. Fox
Jim Friel and Karen Mehigan
Garrett and Patricia Gardi
Bob and Nancy Gellman
Gould Family Fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
Roger and Denette Hilbert
Steven and Dawn Johnson
Gretchen Jordan
Jim Kinney
Walter and Mary Langbein
David and Marion Meissner
Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Fred and Christi Moritz
Mary Moster
Connie Sweeney
Steve and Patti Vickman
Faculty Circle
Mary Pikul Anderson
Faculty Circle
to $99
Director’s Circle
Anonymous (2)
Anthony and Priscilla Beadell
John and Alice Belmont
Jane and Gerry Berg
Jim and Pat Blair
Dave and Sue Bohl
Glenn N. Bruck
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Dr. and Mrs. Dennis and Bonnie Connolly
The Cordon Family Foundation
Robert and Lynn Doneff
Frances Dutton
Virginia Eades
Nancy T. and David A.
Borghesi Fund
Joel Brown and Julie Strauss
Scott and Lynn Brunswick
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Anthony and Andrea Bryant Family Fund
David Burke and Wendy Lukes
Susan Caldwell
Dave and Vonnie Callsen
Linda Clarke
Chris Cramer
Peter and Myra Cristall
Jane Dalton
John and Pat DeLeonardis
Door County Coffee & Tea Co.
Door County Medical Center
Mrs. Gary Doudna
Adrian D. Duszynski
George and Bernie Freeman
Roy and Betsy Gill
Steven and Mary Gomoll
Peter Gotsch and Dr. Jana French
Joseph and Gwenn Graboyes
Katy Andino
Nancy Andriacchi
Anonymous (3)
Charles and Stephanie Baer
Drs. James and Nancy Barton
Nancy M. Bauer
Charles Beasley
Pamela Blanchard
David and Suzy Boerke
Greg Macola and Mary McEnerney
Main Street Market
Chip and Mary Jo McCarthy
Tom and Sharon Michalsen
MJ O’Brien Family Foundation
Denny and Sandy Pearson
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson
Charitable Foundation
Ron Rozmarynoski
Jim and Peggy Ryan
Ken and Nancy Serwinski
Carl and Barbara Shakal
Bob Shogren
Ben and Jane Stephen
Tim and Sue Stone
Tannenbaum Holiday Shop
Marti Thompson
Chris and Lori Tolle
Karen and Roger Utnehmer
Kim Viney
John and Roberta Walgren
Gale Zahn
Encore
Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
Timothy and Barbara Graul
Joe Guthridge
Barbara and James Hansen
Steve and Betsy Hansen
Patti Jo Hedeen
Stepanka Herout
Hislop Family Foundation
Karl and Lyn Huber
Nancy E. Hughes
Mary Jelinek
David and Mel Johnson
Lynn Kaczmarek and Mack Bonk
Cindy Kase and Jim Clark
Dennis and Barbara Kessler
Rod and Carol Krueger
Steve and Kathy Kuhn
Bob Lindahl and
Wilma Van Arragon
100+ Women Who Care Door County Charitable Fund
Donna Altepeter
Buffy Andreae
Mary Andrus
Anonymous (5)
Steve and Sandy Bader
Larry and Joan Balistreri
Joe Bass and Suzanne Scanlon
David and Patti Becker
Tom and Penny Beerntsen
Jon and Christianna Blahnik
John and Linda Blossom
Jeffrey Bonvallet and Laura Fisher-Bonvallet
Greg and Becky Britton
Carla Byrnes and Sara Oswald
John and Kathy Campbell
Don and Deb Chapman
Donald and Beverly Chappie
John and Sonia Connelly
Peter and Beverly Conroy
Encore (continued)
Karen and Andrew Cook
Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
Greg and Lorna Cote
Andy and Jan Coulson
Verne and Charlene Cutler
Donna Danielson
Rob Davis
Steve and Jackie Draws
Claude and Helen Duchon
Michael Elkow
Scott Ellington
Mark and Jean Elste
Dan and Jean Engelke
Gretchen and Dan Farwell
The Feldman Family Charitable Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation
Bruce and Chris Fenner
Bryan and Susan Ferdon
Paul and Sandy Fernstrum
Gail Fischer
Jim and Barbara Flint
Jack and Cindy Follick
Matthew and Linda Frank
Tim and Marsella Fults
Nat Geissel and Lisa Brewster
David George and Laurie Zelon
Dottie Gerrits
Jack and Nancy Greenwood
Julia Griffith
Carl and Donna Hanson
Paul Heim and Julie Watkins
Doug and Barbara Henderson
Barbara and Gary Henkelmann
John and Judy Hundley
Dennis and Donna Joannides
Ron and Carol Jochimsen
Albert Johnson
Jon and Sally Jonas
Debbie and Gary Jones
Stephen and Wendy Kase
Margaret Kirkbride
Lucy Klug
Brad and Mary Koehler
David Kowalski
Martin Krebs
Darcy Kriha
John Landwehr
Jeffrey and Brenda Lange
Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
Beatrice Lapp
On Deck Clothing Company
Charles and Estella Lauter
Gerald Lecy
Lynn Lees
John and Jill Levi
Jill Lhost
Walter and Karen Lischick
David and Pat Long
Robert Loss
Jacquie Luke and Ken Rice
Douglas MacNeil
Mike and Liz Mahoney
Pat Malkemus
Ron and Pam Maloney
John Mangan
John and Donna McMurray
Scott and Christine Miller
James and Monica Miller
Frank and Sherry Moon
Bill and Nancy Moore
Mary J. Moore
Audrey Morrison
Raymond and Claire Moulis
John and Nancy Munch
Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
Eric and Michelle Naese
David and Gail Nelson
David and Carol Nestingen
Nicolet National Bank
Dennis and Phoebe O’Connell
Ted Pappas and Fe Quejada
PayPal Giving Fund
Joan Pleuss
Sylvia K. Pratt
Jeanne E. Reichert
Kate Rericha
Paul and Barb Ristau
Rob and Katie Robbins
Clyde C. Robinson
Todd and Sheryll Rockway
Rae Sanders
Randy Sannes
Marcia K. Sarvela
Martha Sauter
John and Susan Schaper
Charles Schneider and Ellen Penfield-Schneider
Terry J. Schneider
Gary and Bev Schulze
Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Larry Seeman
Sevastopol High School
Ashley Sidon
Jerry and Nancy Sjostrom
Don Stork
Maury and Ann Sullivan
Gabriel Tawil
Paul Teetor and Anna Speicher
Thrivent
Bill Tiedeman LCSW
John and Joan Tierney
Laurie Tremain
Roger and Beth VanGroll
Bob and Tina Wagner
David and Nancy Wahlert
Tom and Lee Weikert
George and Deb Whetmore
Jim White
White Gull Inn
David and Barbara Wilda
Dave and Donna Wilkinson
Gene and Carmen Witt
Sarah and Mark Woerfel
David Wolowitz and Tammie Grossman
Robert and Barbara Ziegler
Mentor’s Circle
Ann Abbott Charitable Trust Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Thomas L. Aerts
American Dental Association
Gail and Nick Anderson
Rick and Jan Anderson
Robert and Melanie Andres
Anonymous (7)
Dave and Peggy Babb
James Baur
Bay Vinyl Records
Greg and Peg Berezewski
Ken and Janet Berggren
Gerald and Grete Berndt
John and DeeDee Bird
Ralph and Kathy Blankenburg
Kim and Hendrix Bodden
Mike and Marge Bork
Jim and Iveta Boyanchek
George and Twila Braden
The Brookby Foundation
Jim and Barbara Bunning
Tom and Elaine Burzinski
Roger and Doris Butz
Chris and Katie Callen
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Dave and Kathy Cecil
Renny and Barbara Challoner, a fund of the Greater Green
Bay Community Foundation
Carl and Pat Chan
Peggy A. Clapp
Krista Clarke-Brownstein
Steven and Marjorie Cooper
Karen Cowan
Trissa Crowley
Mitch and Sandie Custer
Sandy Dagon
Deborah Day
Tom and Judy DeMint
Bob and Liz Dickson
Richard and Sandra Dirks
Door County Home and Community EducationHarborettes Club
Door County Ice Cream Factory
Gracia Drew
Bob and Mary Dunworth
Anne and Richard Egan
Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
Robin R. and Robin J. Engl
Jim and Barbara Erlenborn
Hank and Mary Fasciotti
Larry and Linda Fass
Bud Fenner
Fred and Barb Frey
Jim and Iris Friedlieb
Julie Gall
William Gardner and Paul Warnke
Jerry and Lois Garrity
The Gover Family
Glen and Nancy Guszkowski
Steve and Joanne Hahn
Douglas Hanson
Terrence Heidenreiter and Jeanne Rabel
Dale and Linda Hernandez
Joseph Hetherington and Molly Mason
James and Ina Heup
Ronald Hilton
Bernard C. Hlavac
Jim Holland
Horseshoe Bay Golf Club
Judith and Thomas Kapellen
Robert and Jolene Kappes
Jack and Cathy Keller
Edward Kelly
Joel and Sherry Kitchens
Mel and Shirley Klatt
Christina Koehn
Gordon and Cynthia Konietzki
Ben and Lee Kordus
Keith and Jann Kostecke
Gene and Pauline Kussart
Tom and Cynthia LaConte
Carmen Lang
Ruth Langehough
Paul and Dianne Larson
Betty Lewis and Paul Zafer
Fr. Thomas Lijewski
Kenneth Lindberg
Paul Lowry and Barbara Widder
Camille Lydon
Judy Maas
Sharon and Joe Malenda
Rick Malkemus and Lisa Tetzloff
Jack and Sandy Mason
Jim and Peg Meyer
Kathleen Miller
William and Diane Miller
William and Raetta Mirgain
Michael and Ann Morgan
Jim and Sue Morris
Mike and Babs Mortl
Bob and Louise Motel
Dr. Thomas Munns
Walter Musekamp
Tom and Jan Myers
Janet Nedoba
Ann Nelson
Janet Nelson
David and Denise Newbery
Jim and Maureen O’Brien
William Orton
Frank and Kathy Pammer
Austin and Kathleen Patneau
Anita Petersen
Jerome Ploor
Lynn E. Pohanka
Marina Polianska
Thomas Prebble and Claudia Trimarco
Lynn and John Pullan
Jennifer Rader
Kevin and Sharon Ramon
Mark and Julie Reese
Megan Repar
Jim and Marianne Richards
John and Mary Rooks
Susan Rorison
Mary Rosecky
Dorothy Russell
Stephen A. Saindon
Margie and Dave Saksewski
Kirk and Donna Scattergood
Craig and Cheri
Schendel-Hennager
Paul Schubert and Debra Merkle-Schubert
Laura and Eric Schulz
Carol Schuster
Carol Scott
Seaquist Orchards
Farm Market
Clinton Booth Seely
Steve and Cindy Shallock
Mentor’s Circle (continued)
Art and Sharon Shoener
Sister Bay Bowl, Inc
Laura Slater-Hatzenbeller and Mark Hatzenbeller
Mark Slivinski
John and Jane Stevenson
Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Don and Ruth Stewart
Harriet Stoll
Stoneman-Schopf Agency
Thomas Sutter
Tom and Bozena Swiderski
Dean and Juliet Swinton
James P. Szantor
Don Thimm
Erik and Tara Torkelson
Paul and Nina Trigg
David and Bonnie Turner
Myron and Carol Van de Ven
Kevin Van Ess
Andrea Wagoner and Roger Ruggeri
Christ and Robin Walker
Gary and Linda Wallace
Barbara Walz
Deborah Webber and David Alley
Brad and Jo Ann Weir
Jan and Carl Welle
Allie Wenberg
Jim and Susan Westhoff
Doug and Suzanne White
Sharon A. Wild
Eric and Barbara Wolf
Henk and Buttons Wolst
Norb and Judy Wolter
Glenn and Susan Worf
Jack and Barbara Zilavy
Bravo
Phil Addante
Thomas Alt
Jill and Bruce Anderson
Mark and Margie Anderson
Dwight and Mary Jo Anderson
Anonymous (8)
Bea`s Ho-Made Products
John Beck
Dick and Jayne Becker
Carey Bertschinger, Christy Bertschinger, Cindy Livingston and Emily Pitchford
Stacia Beyl
Rita Bogosh
Brenda Brainerd
Maria Caballero
Carelyn Campbell
Therese Campbell
Patricia Caravella
Marilyn Carolan
William and Nancy Carpenter
Alice Chin
Robert Cleasby
Kristin Conley
Patrick and Anita Conlon
Kathryn Conole
Thomas Cook
Marta Cuciurean-Zapan
Mitch and Sandie Custer
Tom Dickson
Douglas and Iris Dowden
George Draeb
Dale Ducat
The Duncan Family
John E. Eichholz
Dolly and Chuck Emerson
Nancy Feld
Troy and Ellen Fredrich
Janet Gallagher
Kelly and John Godawski
Sallie Goding and Allan Beaber
Sheldon Gulinson and Carol Sobel
Francine Hartman
Patricia A. Heller
Dawn Holsen
Thomas Huber
Jim and Pat Hughes
Dawn Hysler
Wanda John
Andrea Kinsey-Jauquet
Les and Gail Kottke
Jeffrey and Taylor Kroma
Marvin Krull
Mert Larsen
Anne Larson
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country
Winery & Market
William Leonard
Cathy Leschman
Mark and Kelly Lindekugel
Deborah A. Lisberg
Daniel and Joan Liss
Susan Livengood
Mike and Kay Lowder
Robert and Donna Lucht
Lowell and Donna Ludford
Louise Lueck
Joe Malcore
Lisa Mandelin
Wayne and Judith Marik
Bud Mathieu
Taka and Naomi Matsunaga
James Mayer
Carol Mazurkiewicz
Richard and Jean Mehring
Jim and Sally Mergener
Ed and Sandy Miller
Christine Miller
Marian Miller
Robert and Vivian Miller
Judi Nicolay
Sylvia Nyberg
James and Jean Nye
David Oler
Amy Phimister
Piggly Wiggly
Jack and Stella Quirk
Randi Ragins
Richard Ratchman
Thomas Reed
Jill Rendall
Scaturo`s Baking Co. & Café
Greg and Renee Schmill
Lawrence Schulman
Richard Schultz
Alberto and Lisa Segre
Ann Sheridan
Dr. Barbara K. Sloan
Bob and Chris Snyder
Dick Snyder
Gordon Steckler
Judith Steinhauer
Richard and Annette Steinke
Sweetie Pies
James and Susan Thorsen
Mary Wachenheim
Linda Walker
Ron and Jan Wanek
Erin Wehrenberg
Karie Weinstein
Tributes
Memorials
In memory of Bonita R. Bruce
Paul Aspinwall
In memory of Robert (Bob) Chmel
Bud Fenner
Joan Guasta
Ben and Lee Kordus
In memory of Charles Dickson Jr.
Mike and Kay Lowder
Jim and Sue Morris
Allie Wenberg
In memory of Gary Doudna
Mrs. Gary Doudna
In memory of James Dutton
Marcia K. Sarvela
In memory of Alan Eades
Jane and Gerry Berg
Dave and Vonnie Callsen
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Dave and Kathy Cecil
Dave and Mona Christensen
Virginia Eades
Dolly and Chuck Emerson
Gail Fischer
Steven and Mary Gomoll
Joan Guasta
Horseshoe Bay Golf Club
Margaret Kirkbride
Charlotte Lukes
Lynn E. Pohanka
Kate Rericha
Tim and Sue Stone
Steve and Patti Vickman
Mary Weisse
Welsing’s Foodland, Inc.
Paul Weyna
Phillis Wilson
Eric and Barb Wolf
Wood Orchard Market
Rita Zimmerman
Jack and Barbara Zilavy
In memory of Miriam Erickson
Dwight and Mary Jo Anderson
American Dental Association
Jane and Gerry Berg
Carey Bertschinger, Christy Bertschinger,
Cindy Livingston and Emily Pitchford
Scott and Lynn Brunswick
Jim and Barbara Bunning
Susan Caldwell
Dave and Vonnie Callsen
Sam and Vicky Carmen
Dave and Mona Christensen
Patrick and Anita Conlon
Peter and Myra Cristall
Tom Dickson
Bob and Liz Dickson
Door County Home and Community Education - Harborettes Club
Joan Guasta
Barbara and James Hansen
Doug and Barbara Henderson
Ronald Hilton
Charlotte Lukes
Pat Malkemus
Robert and Vivian Miller
Kate Rericha
Jim and Peggy Ryan
Terry J. Schneider
John and Jane Stevenson Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation
Steve and Patti Vickman
Tributes (continued)
Memorial’s Circle (continued)
In memory of Dorothea Hilliker
Marcia K. Sarvela
In memory of Myron Hilliker
Marcia K. Sarvela
In memory of James John
Wanda John
In memory of John Koehn
Christina Koehn
In memory of Marilynne Kowalski
David Kowalski
In memory of Doris E. Loss
Robert Loss
In memory of Brian Miller
Krista Clarke-Brownstein
Karl and Lyn Huber
James and Monica Miller
Steve and Patti Vickman
In memory of Barbara J. Saindon
Stephen A. Saindon
In memory of Melvin Sarvela
Marcia K. Sarvela
In memory of Peter Schuster
Carol Schuster
In memory of Ruth Smith
Dave and Peggy Babb
In memory of Sonja Stork
Marcia K. Sarvela
Don Stork
In memory of Bill Thompson
Deborah Day
Martin Krebs
In memory of Dale Tremain
Laurie Tremain
In memory of Kaye M. Wagner
Anonymous
Honors
In honor of Mona Christensen’s Retirement
Charles Beasley
Doug and Barbara Henderson
MMG Foundation
In honor of Francis M. Hartman
Francine Hartman
In honor of Jim Ingwersen
Gretchen Jordan
In honor of Charlotte Lukes
David and Patti Becker
In honor of Mya Ploor
Carol Schuster
In honor of Kate Rericha’s Retirement
Scott and Lynn Brunswick
Carla Byrnes and Sara Oswald
Joan Guasta
Steve and Patti Vickman
In honor of Cynthia Stiehl
Deborah Webber and David Alley
In honor of Marti Thompson
Deborah Day
In honor of Pamela and Lawrence Wolfe’s
50th Wedding Anniversary
Deborah Webber and David Alley
In Kind
Steve and Sandy Bader
Bea`s Ho-Made Products
Dave and Mona Christensen
Door County Ice Cream Factory
Frances Dutton
Troy and Ellen Fredrich
Karl and Lyn Huber
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market
Main Street Market
Eric and Michelle Naese
Piggly Wiggly
Scaturo`s Baking Co. & Café
Seaquist Orchards Farm Market
Sevastopol High School
Bob Shogren
Art and Sharon Shoener
Sweetie Pies
Christ and Robin Walker
Wood Orchard Market
Gale Zahn
Annual Scholarship Donors
Donna Altepeter
Mark and Margie Anderson
Mary Pikul Anderson
Buffy Andreae
Nancy Andriacchi
Mary Andrus
Anonymous (5)
Drs. James and Nancy Barton
Nancy M. Bauer
Tom and Penny Beerntsen
Gerald and Grete Berndt
Stacia Beyl
John and DeeDee Bird
Pamela Blanchard
Jim and Iveta Boyanchek
Glenn N. Bruck
Tom and Elaine Burzinski
Susan Caldwell
John and Kathy Campbell
William and Nancy Carpenter
Carl and Pat Chan
Donald and Beverly Chappie
Krista Clarke-Brownstein
John and Sonia Connelly
Dr. and Mrs. Dennis and Bonnie Connolly
Jane Dalton
John and Pat DeLeonardis
Tom and Judy DeMint
Richard and Sandra Dirks
Robert and Lynn Doneff
Adrian D. Duszynski
Robin R. and Robin J. Engl
Matthew and Linda Frank
Jim Friel and Karen Mehigan
Garrett and Patricia Gardi
William Gardner and Paul Warnke
Roy and Betsy Gill
Kelly and John Godawski
Timothy and Barbara Graul
Joan Guasta
Sheldon Gulinson and Carol Sobel
Tom and Carole Guyette
Steve and Betsy Hansen
Jeffrey Hany
Joseph Hetherington and Molly Mason
James and Ina Heup
Karl and Lyn Huber
Dennis and Donna Joannides
Ben and Lee Kordus
Jeffrey and Taylor Kroma
Ruth Langehough
Anthony and Judith Licata
Deborah A. Lisberg
Lowell and Donna Ludford
Mike and Liz Mahoney
Pat Malkemus
Rick Malkemus and Lisa Tetzloff
James and Monica Miller
Marian Miller
MMG Foundation
Bill and Nancy Moore
Michael and Ann Morgan
Janet Nedoba
William Orton
Anita Petersen
John and Carolyn Peterson
Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Marina Polianska
Raibrook Foundation
Clyde C. Robinson
John and Mary Rooks
Ron Rozmarynoski
Margie and Dave Saksewski
Rae Sanders
Craig and Cheri Schendel-Hennager
Scholarships Forever Fund in the Birch Creek Endowment
Anonymous (2)
Bonita Bruce Memorial Scholarship
Bert, Marianne, and Ben Scholarship
James Dutton Merit Scholarship
Brian T. Hynes and Barry J. Hynes Scholarship
Phyllis C. and James Ingwersen Scholarships (2)
George Kress Foundation Scholarship
Ralph Pratt Memorial Scholarship A Scholarship in Cherished Memories of Florence Spanbauer
Bill Vineyard Memorial Scholarship Sub-Fund
Frank and Carol Weber Scholarship
Stanley R. and Robert E. Wright Scholarship (3)
Paul Schubert and Debra Merkle-Schubert
Richard Schultz
Carol Schuster
Jerry and Nancy Sjostrom
Dr. Barbara K. Sloan
Bob and Chris Snyder
Harriet Stoll
Connie Sweeney
James P. Szantor
Marti Thompson
Paul and Nina Trigg
Roger and Lynn Van Vreede
Charitable Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
Steve and Patti Vickman
Kim Viney
Sue Vineyard
Andrea Wagoner and Roger Ruggeri
Brad and Jo Ann Weir
Jan and Carl Welle
David and Barbara Wilda
Phillis Wilson
Sarah and Mark Woerfel
Norb and Judy Wolter
Glenn and Susan Worf
Play It Forward Annual Fund
The Play It Forward Annual Fund is used for operational expenses and is the fund that bridges the gap between tuition paid by families and the true cost of program delivery.
Each student’s program cost is underwritten by $2,700 through gifts to Play It Forward.
True Cost of Program Delivery: $5,100 Play It Forward Donor Support: -$2,700
Remaining Student/Family Tuition Cost: $2,400
We want to ensure that our tuition fees are affordable to most families by covering the gap between the cost of educating a Birch Creek student and the family’s out-ofpocket costs, while also raising additional tuition assistance dollars to help those for whom even our subsidized tuition is a challenge.
Your gift, in any amount, will ensure affordability to a broad and inclusive spectrum of promising young musicians. Donate online at BirchCreek.org/Support or contact the office at (920) 868-3763 or MainOffice@BirchCreek.org.
Photo by Michael Demchik Photo by Michael Demchik
Zachary J. Buchta
Jennifer C. Hobart
For the Safety and Convenience of Our Patrons
Birch Creek has policies in place on several important subjects. Please comply with instructions provided.
• Birch Creek concerts are professionally recorded for educational purposes. Due to copyright and performance contract restrictions, personal electronic devices including phones, tablets, recording or personal communications must be turned off once the concert has started. Recording during a concert is strictly prohibited.
• Service Animals that serve as active guides are permitted. Therapy animals and pets are not allowed on Birch Creek grounds.
• Weapons are prohibited without exception. As an educational institution, violators will be subject to law enforcement action.
• Weather alert information will be provided by Birch Creek staff in the event of potentially dangerous weather conditions.
• To ensure the health of our residential living environment for our faculty and students, we ask that the public and volunteers remain distanced from non-public areas.
