MUSIC IS A BIRTHRIGHT.
The mission of Mile of Music’s Music Education Team is to help all people unleash their inner musician in order to build a community of active music explorers, music makers, and music lovers. We are committed to providing dynamic music-making opportunities for people on the Mile to set them on a path of discovering and developing their musical selves.

At Mile of Music, people don’t just hear the music, they are the music!

MET Members

Leila Ramagopal Pertl

Jaclyn Kottman Hittner

Brian Pertl

Credentials

Music Education Curator, Instructor in Music Education (Lawrence University), LU ‘87

My Bio

Leila Ramagopal Pertl (MET Curator) is the Music Education Curator for the Mile of Music Festival and teaches Music Education at Lawrence University. She created the innovative Music curricula at Next Generation School in Champaign, IL and at Appleton Public Montessori, where music is treated as a core subject; each student being immersed in drumming, dancing, singing, improvisation, composition, and music theory. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Lawrence University, a Master of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois, and is a recipient of Pi Kappa Lambda Honors, Excellence in Music Education. She is an active presenter and has recently given presentations and teacher workshops for the Smithsonian Year of Music panel on the Future of Music Education, Appleton Area School District, the International Deep Listening Conference, and WMEA State Conferences. She co-presented a paper, with education colleague Dr. Stephanie Burdick-Shepherd, at the Northeastern Philosophy of Education Society at Tufts University: “Hearing the Lines: The Birth of Childhood and Philosophy through Music. Leila was the 2018 recipient of the Mentor Award from the Wisconsin Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (WACTE). She is the WMEA State Chair for Composition and Improvisation and is the Chair of the Committee on Cultural Inclusion for the College Music Society. She believes that music is a birthright, and loves being with people in collaborative, creative spaces!

Credentials

MET Director of Operations, Lawrence Community Music School educator, LU ‘12

My Bio

Jaclyn Kottman Hittner (MET Director of Operations) is proud to be a teacher, learner, and music maker in Wisconsin. Musicking in different corners of the world has given her a deep appreciation for the way the arts are an integral part of the fabric of community, and she has been a member of the Music Education Team since Mile 1. Jaclyn received a Bachelor of Music in Choral and General Music Education from Lawrence University and a Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University, where her thesis focused on empowering singers through the adolescent voice change. In addition to her work with Mile of Music, Jaclyn is a teacher-conductor with the Lawrence Community Music School’s Girl Choir program and taught music for almost a decade in the Appleton Public Schools. She serves on the board of the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association as the Chair of the Singing in Wisconsin project, an annual festival bringing together young singers all over the state to connect through choral music. Jaclyn has conducted all-state and festival choirs throughout Wisconsin, and is a recipient of WCDA’s Outstanding Young Choral Director award and Lawrence University’s Pi Kappa Lambda award for Excellence in Music Education. She lives in Wisconsin Rapids with her husband Stephen and their rescue pup Louie, and is passionate about the power of singing to affirm the value of individual voices and build community.

Credentials

MET Member, Dean of the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, LU ‘86

My Bio

Brian Pertl (MET Member) is the Dean of the Lawrence Conservatory of Music. He is a trombonist, ethnomusicologist, didjeridu player, Deep Listener, and a fierce advocate for music education at all levels. He has given over 400 presentations on world music across the United States. His lively performances give the audiences insights into other cultures through music. He has a BM degree in trombone performance and a BA in English from Lawrence University, an MA in Ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University and worked on his Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is a recipient of the prestigious Watson Fellowship, and worked for 16 years managing the Media Acquisitions Group at Microsoft. He and his wife Leila Ramagopal Pertl are passionate about providing as many music-making opportunities to as many people as possible. They know the phenomenal power music has to change lives and are whole-heartedly committed to the transformational art of music education.

Adam Korber

Aidyn Reetz

Betsy Kowal Jett

Credentials

MET Member, Orchestra Teacher (Howard-Suamico), LU '18

My Bio

Adam Korber (MET Member) lives in Appleton, Wisconsin. He is an orchestra teacher in the Howard-Suamico School District, and loves how music brings people together. Adam fully believes in the words of one of his mentors, “everyone learns better with a smile on their face.” Adam strives to foster learning in a positive, supportive, and fun environment. He brings his passions for people, learning, and music to the Music Education Team.

Credentials

MET Member, Actor, Singer, Percussionist

My Bio

Having just graduated from Valley New School and heading off to Emmaus Bible College next fall, Aidyn (MET Member) is thrilled to once again be on the Mile Education Team. He has been performing all of his life with recent highlights including performances with Xavier Theater in Little Shop of Horrors, Kaukauna Community Players in Cinderella, and performing at the PAC for the Center Stage Awards. In his senior year he conducted a senior capstone project entitled: “SING!: Exploring Psychology, Theory, and Technical Fundamentals of Vocal Performance.” He is excited to bring newfound knowledge and his passion for everyone to perform music to the team again this year!

Credentials

MET Member, singer, educator, creative

My Bio

Betsy Kowal Jett (MET Member) is happy to again be part Mile of Music’s Music Education Team. Outside of the Mile, she leads the Presto! Tour at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, a program that explores how music can positively impact society and she leads early childhood educational programming at Appleton Public Library. As a singer, educator, and creative, she devotes her time to designing and implementing ways in which the arts can increase community well-being.

Casey Frensz

Corrina Albright

Eli Grover

Credentials

MET Member, multi-instrumentalist, private music instructor, LU '14

My Bio

Casey Frensz (MET Member) is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, music educator in Minneapolis, MN. He is the founder and director of Inner Groove Music, a lesson and production studio run out of his basement where he composes and creates his own records and serves the local music community. Casey’s musical philosophy prioritizes groove, his belief is that it’s the sensation of feeling the beat together that makes music so magical. He believes that everyone is musical, and with proper guidance, even a total beginner can play alongside lifelong pros to create something beautiful.

Credentials

MET Member, violist, Lawrence Community Music School educator

My Bio

Corrina Albright (MET member) grew up in a family of self-taught musicians and believes passionately in the powerful connectivity of community music making. She is an AASD K-6 music and orchestra teacher, directs the Lawrence Youth String Orchestra (LYSO), performs in the viola section of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, and is looking forward to joining the Lawrence Community Gamelan this September after participating in the Lawrence Children’s Gamelan with her family since moving to Appleton in 2016. Albright holds a BM in Viola Performance and Music Leadership from the Eastman School of Music, completed long term teacher training in Suzuki Violin at the School for Strings in Manhattan, and received teacher certification from Lawrence University. She lives in Appleton with her husband, trombonist Tim Albright, and their two sons.

Credentials

MET Member, AASD General Music Teacher, LU '11

My Bio

Eli Grover (MET Member) teaches General Music in the Appleton Area School District at Elementary and Middle Schools. He graduated from Lawrence University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental and General Music Education. He has been studying gamelan at Lawrence University and the LU Academy of Music for 9 years, and is working on building a set of practice instruments that can be used at his AASD schools. In addition to teaching lots of music at school, Eli is loving life as a new dad!

Eliana Calhoun

Greg Riss

Isabella Benner

Credentials

MET Member, music education student, LU '22

My Bio

Eliana Calhoun, (MET Member) has recently graduated from Lawrence University with Bachelor of Music degree in music education. She was born in Bogotá, Colombia and raised in Cornwall, Connecticut. Her primary instrument is voice although she has privately studied both violin and saxophone. Music has been a passion of Eliana’s from the moment she joined Chorus Angelicus, a private choir based in Connecticut. Once the spark was ignited, Eliana became an active member of her high school music program. She took on the role of both band president and jazz band president, while also participating in musical theater and several a capella groups. Her passion soon became her main focus after choosing to peruse a degree in music education at Lawrence University. She revels in the joy of teaching and learning in both academic and non academic settings. Her love of the arts and music in particular propelled her into making the decision to become a music educator. After having graduated from Lawrence this year, Eliana looks forward to completing her student teaching in the Green Bay and Oshkosh school districts. As a first time member of the MET for Mile of Music, she can’t wait to come back to Appleton and make music with one of her beloved communities!

Credentials

MET Member, percussionist, educator, LU '14

My Bio

Greg Riss (MET Member) is a percussion performer, educator, and lifelong learner from Madison, WI. He has taught students between the ages of 5 and 65, and loves many kinds of music. He recently completed his first term as visiting Lecturer in Music at Lawrence University, where he taught private lessons and led the percussion ensemble. While a student at LU, he taught for two months as a volunteer at Holy Trinity Music School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He also led the Sambistas Brazilian Percussion Ensemble for 3 years. After graduating, Greg moved to New Jersey, where he earned his MM in percussion performance from Rutgers University. While in NJ, he worked as a freelance performer, private teacher, dance accompanist, and marching band instructor. He has performed at Manhattan School of Music, Wesleyan, Princeton, Rowan, and Rutgers Universities, as well as at various middle and high schools in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Greg strives to brings patience, curiosity, and flexibility to his teaching and performing.

Credentials

MET Member, Horn Player, Dancer, Music Education Student

My Bio

Isabella Benner (MET Member) is a fourth year student at Arizona State University. She is studying Music Learning and Teaching with an emphasis in band, and has a Minor in Dance. She has been a French Horn player for 11 years and has been teaching for 6 years. She is excited to be back in her hometown, but even more excited to be back for her fourth year on the ME team.

Jess Grady

Jelani Jones

Keira Kowal Jett

Credentials

MET Member, musician, teacher, violist

My Bio

Jess Grady (MET Member; they/she) is a viola performance and Spanish Major and Appleton North grad who loves to make music and to help others find their own talents and passions within the art. As a recipient of the UW-Madison Summer Music Clinic Tuition Remission Award, Jess is excited to begin their third year at UW-Madison in the fall. While at school, Jess enjoys playing viola in the UW Symphony orchestra, working on stage crew, teaching lessons, and playing frisbee with friends. Jess can’t wait to be back in Appleton for their third Mile and to be back making music with everyone!

Credentials

MET Member, violinist, music education student, LU '22

My Bio

Jelani Jones (MET Member) is a violinist pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in music education at Lawrence University. He will begin student teaching in the fall of 2022. He has participated in various ensembles such as small chamber ensembles, Fiddle Club, Improvisation Group of Lawrence University, and the Lawrence University Mariachi Ensemble. Jelani also enjoys writing music and singing. He is so excited to be a part of the Music Education team.

Credentials

MET Member, performer, song-writer, Lawrence Community Music School educator, LU '16

My Bio

Keira Kowal Jett (MET Member) is a performer, song-writer, and educator based in Appleton, where they work to build a more connected and loving community through music. They specialize in vocal music and youth advocacy, especially in combination with generative healing practices like creative writing and Deep Listening. Keira has previously given musical healing sessions with Diverse and Resilient and Harbor House, and they look forward to being an Artist in Residence at the Renaissance School for the Arts this fall.

Lauren Thompson Ringeisen

Melissa Fields

Mindara Krueger-Olson

Credentials

MET Member, Elementary Music and 4K Teacher (New London), LU '13

My Bio

Lauren Thompson Ringeisen (MET Member) teaches elementary music and four-year-old kindergarten in New London, WI. She graduated from Lawrence University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental and General Music Education. She has been studying gamelan since 2009, and is excited to have brought a set of angklung to the New London elementary schools.

Credentials

MET Member, General Music Teacher - Highlands Elementary (Appleton)

My Bio

Melissa Fields (MET Member) finds joy in sharing her love of music with the community. She has been a music educator for 30 years and is a passionate advocate for music education and musical literacy. Melissa continues to develop her own musicianship by being a section leader of newVoices vocal ensemble. She enjoys life with her children, Sam and Sophia, and her dog, Bernard. Melissa believes everyone has a musical ability and delights in inspiring others to be musical.

Credentials

MET Member, music education student, LU '22

My Bio

Mindara Krueger-Olson (MET Member) is a senior Music Education major at Lawrence University from Neenah, Wisconsin and is thrilled to be on the MET once again! She has been making music all of her life, but began playing her primary instrument, violin, when she was 8. Mindara’s musical journey has seen her play with many different groups, including Neenah High School’s Touch of Class, WSMA State Honors Orchestra, the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, LU Percussion Ensembles such as Kinkaviwo (Ghanaian Drumming/Dancing), Sambistas (Brazilian Samba), and Tambo Toké (Afro-Cuban Drumming/Singing), the LU Mariachi Ensemble (LUMÉ), and Vic Ferrari’s “Symphony on the Rocks”. During the summer, she can be found teaching at Rock Infused Orchestra, and this summer has been Carnegie Hall’s Learning and Engagement Programs Intern! Educating and learning with others is one of her greatest passions, and her professors at Lawrence have inspired her to continue to look for opportunities to share this passion with others. Mindara is so excited to be making music at Mile again!

Morgen Moraine

Néstor Domínguez, Jr.

Sarah Phelps

Credentials

MET Member, trumpeter, vocalist, studio teacher, LU ‘16

My Bio

Morgen Moraine (MET Member) is a trumpet player, vocalist, violinist and all around music lover originally from Sussex, WI. Growing up in a musical household, her first community music-making experiences started in utero and have never stopped since. Some of her favorite memories are of community choir rehearsals and community youth music ensembles. She attended Lawrence University and graduated in 2016 with degrees in Psychology and Trumpet Performance. Morgen continues to live, work, perform, and teach in Appleton and is currently finishing up certification for K-12 music education She believes there is a special magic particular only to community music making and she is so excited to be returning to the Music Education Team for Mile 9, to help create more musical experiences for all, and to continue bringing the community together through experimentation, exploration, and creation in music!

Credentials

MET Member, Mariachi Music Educator, LU '14

My Bio

Néstor Domínguez, Jr. (MET Member) hails from the state of Guerrero in Southwest México. He is an alum of Lawrence University (’14) and The Chicago Public Schools. Upon graduating from Lawrence, Néstor returned to Chicago to provide a high-quality music education to Chicago students. He has taught wind band, music technology, world percussion and Mariachi during his 7 years of teaching. Néstor currently leads the Gary Mariachi program at Gary Elementary in the Little Village neighborhood where he teaches 4th – 8th grade. He is beyond excited to return to share the beauty of Mariachi music with the Fox Valley community!

Credentials

MET Member, General Music Teacher - Badger Elementary (Appleton), Lawrence Community Music School educator, LU ‘07

My Bio

Sarah Phelps’ (MET Member) passion for the work of the Music Education Team draws from both personal and family member experiences of being shut out from musical opportunities because of “talent” or lack thereof. As a music teacher and 7 year MoM veteran, she strives to open students’ and community members’ minds to the fact that everyone has an inner musician. She hopes you will join her, her mother and her two lively daughters for some moving, grooving, and all kinds of opportunities to make music together on the Mile!

MET Workshop Artist

B. Lilly

Baily Newman

Greg Forton

Credentials

Workshop Artist, singer-songwriter, musician, LU '18

My Bio

With a sound that has been dubbed “a refreshing fusion of rhythm and blues, gospel. jazz and hip hop” and the stage presence of music legends, B. Lilly (MET Workshop Artist) sings, writes and performs from his soul. Born and raised on Chicago’s west side in the Austin community, he hones the musical influence of John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Mali Music, Bob Marley, Anthony Hamilton and Marvin Gaye to create a performance style that ranges from passionate and high energy to smooth and classic — taking his audiences on a soul-filled and soul-stirring musical journey. B. Lilly also has a heart for people and serves as a school-based mentor with the College Mentoring Experience (founded by his dad, Bernard Lilly Sr. in 2014), where he leads life-empowerment workshops for middle- and high-school youth. He is also a member of CHICAGO 200, a program for emerging leaders whose goal is to enhance the quality of life for residents across the city. He has opened for Keith Sweat, Mint Condition, and The Isley Brothers, Howard Hewitt, and performed on stages across the Midwest. Combining his love for community and music, he currently serves on the production team for Next Showcase USA, where he provides stage management and support to local artists. This served as his inspiration for creating Sunday Sessions Chi, a platform that showcases emerging, local talent by putting artists and their music centerstage at local nightspots. Voice of the community… lover of music… man of faith: B. Lilly is set to take the nation – and, ultimately, the world – by storm.

Credentials

Workshop Artist, violist, educator, LU '15

My Bio

Originally from Connecticut, Bailey Newman (MET Workshop Artist) has been teaching since 2009. Her teaching experience includes the general music classroom, school orchestra programs, private studio teaching, and Suzuki pedagogy. She is a current member of the Suzuki Association. Bailey holds a Bachelor’s of Music in both viola performance and music education from Lawrence University and a Master’s of Music in viola performance with an emphasis in Suzuki pedagogy from the Hartt School. Her long-term Suzuki violin training was completed under the guidance of Christie Felsing and Teri Einfeldt. She also has received Suzuki Early Childhood training from Sharon Jones. As an educator, Bailey has adopted the mantra of one of her mentors, Leila Pertl: “Music is a birthright.” She is passionate in bringing high-quality, globally aware teaching to all her students. Music is something that everyone has the ability and right to explore. Bailey explored the connection between culture and the application of the Suzuki philosophy in 2015 when she won the Mellon Grant; she collaborated with Suzuki teachers in both Ireland and Argentina to examine how traditional music in each location impacted and interacted with the application of Suzuki pedagogy. In addition to her classroom and studio teaching, Bailey has been invited to give masterclasses throughout Connecticut and served on faculty at the Nutmeg Fiddle Workshop. As a performer, Bailey is passionate about non-classical genres like Americana and a variety of fiddle styles. She has collaborated and been coached by multi-styled musicians like jazz violinist Zach Brock of Snarky Puppy, cellists Mike Block and Natalie Haas, fiddlers Hanneke Cassel and Bruce Molsky, and singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan. Bailey also enjoys playing in musical theater pits and chamber music. She has placed in chamber music competitions and was also awarded the ADT Grant from the McKnight Foundation in January of 2020.

Credentials

Workshop Artist, ukulele teacher, music educator

My Bio

Greg Forton (MET Workshop Artist), M.Ed has been a music teacher since 1987 after graduating from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. He started his career in Battle Creek, Michigan, where he taught band, orchestra, and directed the middle level honors band. In 1989 he moved closer to family by accepting a position as director of bands for the Hortonville Area School District in Hortonville, Wisconsin. The first band Mr. Forton directed at Hortonville High School had 36 total members. Since that time, he has developed the program to over 200 students per year and is currently teaching Freshman Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, two Jazz Ensembles, Pep Band, German Band, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Wisconsin’s first “High School Ukulele Orchestra.” His groups have performed for various events around the world. Most recently, he has performed in Hawaii for the Honolulu Ukulele Festival and at Pearl Harbor. In addition to teaching, Mr. Forton loves to learn. He holds a private pilot’s, commercial driving, and motorcycle license. He performs in various ensembles, hand throws pottery, is a photographer/videographer/audio technician, and is an avid backpacker. His philosophy is, “Experience life to the extreme, you only get one chance, so hold on tight and enjoy the ride.”

Indah Erdman

Kara McCanna

Lavanyaa Surendar

Credentials

Workshop Artist, Music Educator and Scholar

My Bio

Indah Erdmann (MET Workshop Artist) is originally from Indonesia. She used to be an elementary school teacher at some International curriculum schools. One of her passions is playing the angklung, a musical instrument made of bamboo from West Java-Indonesia. She moved to the US in 2015 and wrote “All About the Angklung”, a children’s book that describes what the angklung is and how to play it. She continues to promote the angklung through Angklung Goes to School program in Wisconsin that is supported by Indonesian Education and Cultural Attaché of Indonesian embassy in Washington D.C.  

Credentials

Workshop Artist, violinist, luthier

My Bio

Kara McCanna (MET Workshop Artist) is a professional violinist, luthier, and appraiser. While attending the Chicago School of Violin Making, she simultaneously graduated from the Appraisers Association of America Comprehensive Appraisal Studies Program and Northwestern University with a certificate in Museum Studies. In May of 2020, she graduated summa cum laude from the Violin Repair program at Minnesota State College Southeast and was one of ten recipients nationwide to be awarded a historic instrument loan from the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America. She is a member of the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen, British Violin Making Association, Violin Society of America, Appraisers Association of America, Hardanger Fiddle Association of America, Guild of American Luthiers, and the International Society of Bassists. In 2021, Kara became an Artist in Residence for the Building for Kids Children’s Museum, Coach for the Fox Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra, Violinist in the Weidner Philharmonic, and the first woman who works in a skilled trade to receive the prestigious Fox Cities Future 15 Young Professionals Award.

Credentials

Workshop Artist, Educator/Researcher

My Bio

Lavanyaa Surendar (MET Workshop Artist) has her Masters in Biology from IIT Chicago and over 20 years of experience in mentoring, Performing and Researching the ancient Indian art form Bharathanatyam and its sub forms. She started AUM house of arts in 2015 to both spread the knowledge and understand the relationship between Arts, Science & community. https://www.aumsynergy.com/

MET Mariachi Ensemble

Nani Agbeli

Sara Devine

Credentials

Workshop Artist - Mariachi Jabalí & Lawrence University Mariachi Ensemble (LUME)

My Bio

The MET Mariachi Ensemble (MET Workshop Artist) is made up of members from Appleton North’s Mariachi Jabalí and The Lawrence University Mariachi Ensemble (LUMÉ), both of which are led by Jando Valdez. With their combined experience, they are all looking forward to bringing mariachi to the Valley!

Credentials

Workshop Artist, master educator of Ghanaian drumming & dance traditions

My Bio

Nani Agbeli (MET Workshop Artist), known for his energy, athleticism, and precision on stage, is one of the leading Ghanaian dancers of his generation. Born into a family of prominent dancers and drummers in Ghana’s Volta region, Nani was trained by his father, the late Godwin K. Agbeli, who performed with the Arts Council of Ghana Folkloric Company and later served as chairman of the Ghanaian National Association of Cultural Groups. Nani went on to study with various artists at the National Arts Center in Accra and, for many years, led the award-winning cultural troupe Sankofa Roots II. For nine years, he served as the lead drum and dance instructor at the Dagbe Cultural Center, a school that trains domestic and international students in Ghanaian traditional arts. In the United States, Nani has taught Ghanaian drumming and dancing and led performing ensembles notably at Tufts University and Harvard University among others. In addition, he has taught at Berklee College of Music, the Edna Manley School in Jamaica, Bowling Green University, and the University of Virginia, and has held artistic residencies at many other colleges. While teaching at Tufts and Harvard, Nani served as Artistic Director and Lead Dancer of the Agbekor Drum and Dance Society, a community-based group in the Greater Boston area founded by Professor David Locke of Tufts University (www.agbekorsociety.org). Nani Agbeli leads study tours to Ghana in July and August and is available for performances, workshops, residencies, and lecture-demonstrations. While he is best known as a dancer, Nani is a gifted and multi-talented artist who also works in textiles, painting, and computer graphics. For further information, contact Nani Agbeli.

Credentials

Workshop Artist, music and art therapist, Lawrence Community Music School educator, owner & founder of Expressive Therapies

My Bio

Expressive Therapies (MET Workshop Artist) is a team of music and art therapists seeking to empower individuals to live their best life. As licensed, board certified music therapists and art therapists, their mission is to create a safe and empowering space for equality with – race, gender, sexuality, age, economic status, cognitive, physical, spiritual needs and those living with mental illness – through trauma informed care: music therapy, art therapy and psychotherapy, to improve health and well-being.

Sprig of That

Wade Fernandez

Wasonu Allen (aka "Sonu")

Credentials

Workshop Artist, songwriters, players of tabla/violin/guitar

My Bio

Serendipity, a mutual friend, and a shared love of string band music brought Sprig of That (MET Workshop Artist) together in Minneapolis in January of 2018. Since then, the trio, comprising Krissy Bergmark on tabla, Isabel Dammann on violin, and Ilan Blanck on guitar, has made a name for themselves performing lush original works and fresh arrangements of folk favorites that have delighted audiences across the country. Occupying a space somewhere between Northern European fiddle styles, modern American string music, and the “indie classical” contemporary classical movement, the trio distills a wide range of musical interests into a cohesive and joyful sound that is constantly evolving.

Credentials

Workshop Artist, International touring/recording/performing and award winning musical artist and educator.

My Bio

Wade Fernandez (MET Workshop Artist) is a warm and well sesoned musical artist and educator with well over 60 international tours. He has taken home multiple national & international awards and a finalist in many musical genres from Blues/Jazz, Instrumental, Folk, Rock, Pop, Country, World, Guitarist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Native American Flute, Best Male Artist, etc. Both his music and his message are firmly grounded in his Menominee Nation roots and his love for the land, animals and people. His national and international educational work with youth, the disabled, the elderly, and the environment have been recognized in various ways including the Community Spirit Award and a Medal Of Honor from the Menominee Nation.

Credentials

Workshop Artist, rapper, musician, LU '20

My Bio

Wasonu Allen aka “Sonu” (MET Workshop Artist) is an aspiring new artist born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. His background is heavily influenced by the Rap/Hip-Hop realm. Sonu’s father (DJ Wen) is the driving force behind his taking the reigns for creating music. First known as the athlete of the family – playing football, basketball, running track, and more, Sonu started his music journey in 2017 at Lawrence Univeristy where he was writing, performing, collaborating, and creating as a member of “Sol Music Group.” His biggest hip-hop influences include with 2pac, Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, Outkast, T.I., Lil Wayne, Eminem, J. Cole, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Wale, and more. Music has been a passion constantly growing over the years as Sonu strives to hone his skills, master the craft, and create timeless music. Sonu is looking forward to being able to work with the Music Education Team on the Mile and embracing the opportunity to share spaces with many great music minds. He is tirelessy working towards performing on the big stages, family own record label, and traveling over the world sharing his music!