Adam Gaines & John Salerno – Jazz Fest 50

Posted on January 16, 2020 by stricklk@uwgb.edu

UW-Green Bay’s Jazz Fest is turning 50! Bird in the Wings is celebrating with a deep dive in to the world of a working jazz musician in NE Wisconsin. UWGB Music Professors, Dr. Adam Gaines and Dr. John Salerno talk with Kelli about their paths to becoming teaching and performing artists. Happy Listening!

Learn more about Jazz Fest HERE

About Our Guests:
ADAM GAINES is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. In addition to teaching the trumpet studio, Dr. Gaines directs jazz ensembles, teaches jazz history courses and works with music technology. Dr. Gaines has performed as a soloist in his native Kentucky, throughout the U.S. and internationally. In the Green Bay area he can frequently be heard performing with Gypsy Trip and with Brass Differential. He holds degrees from the University of Louisville (Bachelor of Music, 1999) and Ball State University (Master of Music, 2001 and Doctor of Arts, 2005). Dr. Gaines frequently travels to Slovakia and the Czech Republic to perform and to spend time with his wife Ladislava’s family.

JOHN SALERNO teaches saxophone, composition, jazz ensemble and other jazz related classes. Under his direction, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Jazz Ensemble has performed at both the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals in Europe. As a saxophonist he has worked with a variety of notable groups and artists including The Spinners, The Jacksons, Engelbert Humperdinck, Roberta Flack, Joe Williams and many others. Dr. Salerno is a published composer and arranger, and has written works for a variety of styles and media. He is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator, judging at many jazz festivals throughout the country, including the prestigious University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival. He directs the annual University of Wisconsin-Green Bay January Jazz Fest, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Summer Jazz Camp, two of the oldest and most popular jazz events of their kind in Wisconsin.

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Michael Shaw (Part II): Live from Common CAHSS

Posted on December 16, 2019 by stricklk@uwgb.edu

The second part of our interview with Michael Shaw is brought to our listeners LIVE from UW-Green Bay’s Common CAHSS 2019.

In Part 2 Kelli and Michael discuss the freedom of speech as it relates to artistic expression as a human right. One of Michael’s cartoons came to international prominence following the 2015 terrorist attack on French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo. They discuss this and several more of Michael’s cartoons, as well as what the role of the cartoonist is in today’s culture.

Follow Michael on Twitter and Instagram to see more of his work!

Happy Listening!

About Our Guests:

Much like a certain mythical bird, Michael Shaw describes his career as regenerative: A BFA in painting (Webster University) morphing into art education (teaching art in the St. Louis public schools) culminating in a graduate degree in journalism (University of Missouri, Columbia) leading to a successful copywriting career (Lands’ End, Frontgate, Kohl’s) then making a bit of u-turn back to education (Xavier University). Michael also doodles at night—his cartoons have appeared in The New Yorker since 1999.

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Michael Shaw – Cartooning Compulsion

Posted on December 16, 2019 by stricklk@uwgb.edu

A special two-part episode of Bird in the Wings featuring cartoonist and writer, Michael Shaw. Michael’s cartoons have appeared in The New Yorker since 1999.

In Part 1 (of 2) Kelli and Michael discuss how one develops their craft, the winding road on the way to success, and how a cartoonist breaks through such a crowded field and is finally published. As well as having the tenacity, drive and/or compulsion to continue even though the odds are firmly stacked against you.

Follow Michael on Twitter and Instagram to see his work!

Happy Listening!

About Our Guests:

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Noah Simon & Alan Kopischke – A Tuna Christmas

Posted on December 4, 2019 by stricklk@uwgb.edu

Bird in the Wings is BACK! And just in time for the holidays!

Kelli welcomes Noah Simon and Alan Kopischke, two actors starring in A Tuna Christmas at Third Avenue Playhouse (TAP) in Sturgeon Bay Dec 12-31. They discuss with Kelli the personal and professional life of a working actor in NE Wisconsin. Plus, Noah & Alan perform a reading from A Tuna Christmas for our listeners.

Tickets for A Tuna Christmas available HERE

Learn more about The Big Read HERE

Happy Listening!

About Our Guests:

NOAH SIMON makes his TAP debut. He most recently appeared in A Trick of the Light at Peninsula Players, where he was previously seen in the world premiere of Joe Foust’s Once A Ponzi Time. 2019 is Noah’s 30th year as a theatre artist, having spent the majority of that time on many of Chicago’s illustrious stages large and small. He is a proud member of both Actors Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild/AFTRA, and holds a BA in Theatre from Butler University and an MFA in Acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University. Noah teaches Theatre at UW-Green Bay.

About Our Guests:

ALAN KOPISCHKE recently directed Julius Caesar for UW-Green Bay, where he teaches acting. Alan’s many TAP credits include Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Oleanna, and A Walk in the Woods. He has also acted with Steppenwolf, Milwaukee Rep, Peninsula Players, Theatre Z, and regional theatres across the country, including the American Conservatory Theater where he earned his MFA. He has been smacked around by the Chuck Norris family and a real highway patrolman on primetime television and in feature films. He produces the Door Kinetic Arts Festival every June at Björklunden and has created new arts programs in communities around Wisconsin.

*Actor’s Bios courtesy of Third Avenue Playhouse*

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Carl Vanderheyden – Just Do It

Posted on October 16, 2019 by stricklk@uwgb.edu

Have you ever heard of the phrase, “just do it?” Well our guest today actually did it. Bird In The Wings welcomes sculptor, Carl Vanderheyden, to the podcast for a fantastic discussion about getting up and doing it!

Carl is the founder of Fine Steel Art and is an in demand artist whose metal sculptures of creatures, both imagined and real, reside all over NE Wisconsin and beyond! Including the brand new Phoenix Statue at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

You don’t want to miss this discussion about learning through doing, and the possibility of discovering yourself as an artist at any time in your life. Happy Listening!

About Our Guest:

After working 30 years as a carpenter, Carl Vanderheyden, learned how to work a “liquid metal, fire spitting machine” and now produces masterpieces. Carl works with steel to create metal sculptures to combine the beauty of rustic steel with the essence of people, animals and nature. He is the founder of Fine Steel Art, and his sculptors now live all over NE Wisconsin, and beyond. To learn more about Carl, and to see more of his work visit FineSteelArt.com

The UW-Green Bay Phoenix Statue now lives on the UW-Green Bay Campus

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Gregory Frederic – Crewl Art

Posted on September 25, 2019 by stricklk@uwgb.edu

Bird in the Wings goes Crewl!

CrewlArt that is, because in this episode, Kelli sits down with local visual artist & founder of CrewlArt, Gregory Frederic. They discuss his artistic journey from Haiti all the way to Green Bay, as well as the inspiration behind his striking pieces. Happy Listening!

About Our Guest:

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Gregory Frederic uses color to chronicle every single day. In 2008 he was mentored by successful Haitian artists to start his career painting ‘still life’ subject matter in oil paint. He began working as a muralist for the World Health Organization and sold commissioned paintings. Later he would change mediums, and develop his own special techniques with acrylics. He relocated to Green Bay in 2013, and now lives with his family while managing CrewlArt, which comes from his childhood nickname, “Crewl.” Frederic continues adding to his list of satisfied collectors and represents local artists at fine art fairs and galleries throughout the country.

To learn more about Gregory, and to view his work, visit CrewlArt.com

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Bill Sallak – The Power of Trial & Error & Success

Posted on September 11, 2019 by stricklk@uwgb.edu

Dive in, the water is deep. This episode of Bird in the Wings maybe the deepest dive into the working mind of a musician we have ever done. And that’s saying something.

This time Kelli sits down for a fascinating discussion with UW-Green Bay Music Professor, Bill Sallak. He and Kelli discuss his journey through academia as a student, performer, researcher, and educator. In addition, they also discuss the creation of the new Weidner Philharmonic at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and the upcoming inaugural concert.

Happy Listening!

The New World Symphony for a New Symphony will take place in Cofrin Family Hall at the Weidner Center on Saturday, Sept 28 at 7:30pm. Get your tickets at WeidnerCenter.com

About Our Guest:

William Sallak is an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he teaches percussion, recording technology, and world music. As a performer, conductor, composer, technologist, and researcher, Bill Sallak’s work has appeared in many national and international festivals and conferences. He holds degrees from SUNY-Fredonia, The University of Akron, and Arizona State University.

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Dr. Michael Alexander – A New Provost for a New Symphony (2.0)

Posted on August 19, 2019 by stricklk@uwgb.edu

UW-Green Bay’s new Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Michael Alexander, sits down with Kelli for a Bird In The Wings exclusive interview! AND this time we hit record…

In addition to being the second highest administrative, and senior academic officer on campus, Dr. Alexander will conduct the first piece at the inaugural concert of the Weidner Philharmonic at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. In this episode, he and Kelli discuss his journey to becoming provost, his experience as a conductor, his love of music, and balancing an administrative & artistic life.

Happy Listening!

The New World Symphony for a New Symphony will take place in Cofrin Family Hall at the Weidner Center on Saturday, Sept 28 at 7:30pm. Get your tickets at WeidnerCenter.com

About Our Guest:

Dr. Michael Alexander comes to UW-Green Bay from the University of Northern Colorado where he served as Director of the School of Music. A native of Grand Island NY, Alexander previously lived in Wisconsin from 1995-2004, earning his master’s degree at UW-Milwaukee, and doctorate at UW-Madison. Dr. Alexander is now the 13th provost in UW-Green Bay’s 53-year history. The provost oversees programming leadership of the four academic colleges, the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, the Division of Continuing Education and Community Engagement, the Cofrin Library, Office of Admissions, as well as the UW -Green Bay branch campuses in Marinette, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan. For more information, visit uwgb.edu

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United ReSisters – The First Winter

Posted on July 30, 2019 by stricklk@uwgb.edu

Bird In The Wings is so excited to welcome two UW-Green Bay students who are members of the United ReSisters, Yasmin Nur & Nadifo Kasim, to discuss their new book, The First Winter: Stories of Survival by Experienced Hearts. The United ReSisters of Green Bay are a group of young Somali-American women who aspire to create positive change and visibility in our community through education, activism, artistry, and sisterhood.

In this episode, Kelli sits down with Yasmin & Nadifo to discuss joining the United ReSisters, their lives as Somali-Americans, goals for the future, and the visual art they have created. Plus, they also each share a piece they have written from their book, The First Winter.

Happy Listening!

About Our Guests:

The United ReSisters are a group of Somali-American Women who have a passion for creating a more tight-knit Green Bay community, and overall a more peaceful world. The girls chose the name “United ReSisters” as they would like this group to portray the ultimate sisterhood: bonding together to resist hate, prejudice, and misunderstanding while doing so through education, resilience, and love. To learn more about the United ReSisters visit UnitedReSisters.com and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

The First Winter: Stories of Survival by Experienced Hearts is a trailblazing collection of reflections, conversations, letters, lists, and poems about their experiences as refugees and journeys to the United States. The First Winter is a celebration of homelands old and new: where these girls come from, where they are, where they’re going, and everywhere the power of family and friendship to make the unbearable bearable, meaningful, and even joyful. The First Winter is available for purchase now at Two Shrews Press.

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Jacob Beranek – Having Faith in the Creative Process

Posted on July 16, 2019 by stricklk@uwgb.edu

We’re on location in Sturgeon Bay for a special interview with Composer-In-Residence of the Midsummer’s Music Festival, Jacob Beranek. Jacob is an internationally recognized composer and pianist, whose music is rooted in melody and narrative structure.

In this episode, Kelli and Jacob discuss the creative and academic journey of a young artist pursuing their passion, while reconciling personal discipline and having faith in a force outside of yourself.

About Our Guest:

Jacob Beranek is an internationally acclaimed composer and pianist, who is the first ever Composer-In-Residence at Door County’s Midsummer’s Music Festival. His music has been performed across the country, as well as abroad including in London, and Prague. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Composing at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. For more info and to hear some his work visit www.beranekmusic.com. And follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to keep up on his journey.

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