Since 1981, Kristi has been a traveling full time musician with her husband, Jeff Kellogg, performing as THE KELLOGG DUO all over the United States. They recently decided to leave the traveling troubadour life behind and settle in Walker, MN where their children and grandkids reside.

There Kristie teaches guitar-ukelele-voice to budding musicians in the Walker area. Starting with just two students, her lessons have become so popular that 25 students work with her each week.

Seeing the need for a safe and intimate performing space, she and Jeff created a private listening room called STARSEED that seats 50-60 people. The produce regular shows for family and the community. While the STARSEED STAGE is mostly for my students shows , it occasionally features adult artist/bands there as well.

Kristi says, “I know first-hand the power of the arts, first as a performer and now as a teacher and community event planners. I am honored to be part of an organization like Five Wings Arts Council that funds creative, uplifting projects in our region.”

A former award-winning journalist, Paul is a singer-songwriter and publisher affiliated with BMI. He has performed over 4,000 shows at clubs, colleges, schools, libraries, churches and concert venues, and festivals all over the U.S.

Paul currently plays acoustic guitar in a fiddle/guitar duo called ACOUSTOFIDDLE, based out of the Walker-Park Rapids area.

Paul will be releasing his 8th recording in June 2024. His music has been nominated for two international music awards, and can be heard on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, Rhapsody, and dozens of other online streaming sources. Paul is vice president of Minnesota Association of Songwriters, and is a member of SongTown Writers Group in Nashville.

Wendy DeGeest brings over 35 years of experience in theater, dance, choreographing, and education. She studied at the University of Minnesota with a degree in theater and dance. In addition to her new role on the FWAC board, Wendy currently serves on the Stage North Theatre Co. board where she lends her expertise as their Costume Mistress and Choreographer. Although now retired from teaching both Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education her vast experience in the performance arts combined with a love for the theater goes hand in hand with her new role on the FWAC board. Wendy lives with her partner Gary in Brainerd, and they enjoy spending time on the lake during the summer months.

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Amanda Nygard (a.k.a. Amanda Standalone) is a writer, folk musician, and multi-instrumentalist from Minnesota. Standalone has released three albums, Millions of Blackbirds (2010), which bears the Title track Bird flew Hard for the HBO documentary ‘Paycheck to Paycheck: The Life and Times of Katrina Gilbert,’ and Trouble (2014), funded in part by a grant from the Lakes Region Arts Council and a successful indie go-go campaign. Carol Roth of Adventures in Americana says of her third album, You’re Still Here, “this ambitious new album combines oral storytelling with a wide range of folk music styles to create a campfire-worthy collection of supernatural narratives…Amanda nails the vocal delivery and instrumental arrangements of each track.” Her music is described as a soulful blend of acoustic folk/blues strongly influenced by American Roots music. She plays the guitar, banjo, violin and her single-stringed washtub, among other instruments, while packing an extra punch with her rich vocals. Amanda has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

When not creating music, Amanda expresses her other life passion, helping people, through her work as a massage therapist. In 2021 she took a leap of faith and expressed her entrepreneurial spirit by opening SISU Massage and Apothecary, LLC located in downtown Crosby, MN. Now all those trail bikers visiting the Cuyuna Bike Trails have a place to sooth those aching muscles.

Wally, her faithful canine companion, is her favorite audience and escorts her on daily walks in the north country.

Growing up in Milaca, MN Cynthia fell in love with piano and music and was involved in musical theater and summer theater. From high school onward she made it a point to take in all the live theater and music events, as well as arts festivals, that she could. She even took ballroom dance classes and eventually became an instructor. Cynthia has made it a priority to explore different art forms and expand her appreciation for them. For example, she has observed potters at work and from local artists has learned how the clay from various soils (especially local soils) expresses itself in the final pieces. Artists have also ignited her curiosity about, and appreciation for ,the role of flowers and plants in art through their fibers, seeds, and colorants. ​

She currently lives on Platte Lake, where working with her alpacas and llamas motivated her to learn about spinning, weaving and felting their luxurious wool. Her “day job” is at Sprout MN, as part of their Food Systems and Community Outreach programs. There, she regularly collaborates with artists and food providers, whether it’s being a part of the Markets and Music on the Mississippi events at Little Falls’ LeBourget Park or working with artist, Brenda Rudolph’s Raising a Farmer activities.

Cynthia delights at seeing the sparks of excitement when people express their creativity. Throughout her life, she’s noticed that the arts (and food!) draw people together regardless of their age, background or interests, so she’s 100% on board for doing all she can do to encourage and support arts activities.

Katie Retka lives in Little Falls with her spouse, Eli, and their family of two children. Katie holds a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in ecology and field biology, and works at Camp Ripley in natural resources management and planning. Their family is avid in the outdoors, and enjoys spending time together in the woods, wilds, and waters of Central Minnesota.

Katie believes the opportunity to explore art is one of the most accessible ways to expand our understanding of the histories and cultures that have shaped our society, opening us up to perspectives and experiences that are outside of our own, helping to connect us all and build common ground. She was inspired to serve as a board member of the Five Wings Arts Council after working with the Region Five Development Commission on a Welcoming Communities project in Little Falls. She looks forward to learning more about the individuals and organizations whose creative work strengthens our sense of place and community.

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Mary is an avid flute player who enjoys playing in pit orchestras for musicals throughout the area and is also currently a member of the Wadena Area Community Band. She graduated from Bemidji State University with degrees in vocal music education and flute performance. Mary taught elementary music for 28 years in the Staples-Motley School District and was the founding artistic director of the Central Minnesota Boys Choir which she directed for 20 years. She is also a part of the annual planning group for Wadena’s Whiskey Creek Film Festival that happens every September at the historic Cozy Theater.

When she isn’t involved with musical and arts-related projects, she loves to tackle creative DIY projects at home and in the garden. In addition to her musical gifts, Mary likes to lavish her culinary prowess on friends and family.

She is excited to give back to her community and fellow artists by serving on the Five Wings Art Council board of directors. She lives in Wadena with her husband, Del.

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Don lives in rural Wadena on the farm on which he was raised. Seeing and visually communicating the beauty of nature, people, and their activities is a life-long passion-one that drew him to photography at an early age. In 1970 he began work in a portrait photography business, then managed and eventually owned the business located in downtown Wadena, until he retired in 2014.

Past involvements include citizen soldier in the MN Army National Guard, Minnesota Professional Photographers Association, (Council Member) Professional Photographers of America (earning the Master Photographers and the Master Craftsman degrees) Past-President of the Wadena Rotary Club, and Past-President of Madhatters Community Theatre (Wadena).

Currently he works part time for the City of Wadena at the Municipal Liquor Store, is a member of the Staples Area Men’s Chorus and serves on the board of directors for Lamplighters Community Theater in Staples. He enjoys traveling, attending performances, and maintaining the 120 plus acres of prairie grass, woods, stream, home and farm buildings where he lives.

He is so grateful for living in an area where there are so many wonderful artists, and where there are artistic opportunities in which to participate, attend, and appreciate. He looks forward to encouraging and promoting these people and opportunities.

Steve Hoemberg comes to the FWAC Board of Directors with over 20 years of experience as music teacher and director of the Staples Area Men’s Chorus, Staples Area Women’s Chorus and Colla Voce Girl’s Choir, all based out of Staples, MN. ​ Between 2001-2016 he served as the Director of Choral Activities 7-12 at Staples Motley Public Schools. He is a member of the Minnesota Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association. ​

He holds Bachelor of Arts​ in Music with concentrations in K-12 Vocal Music Education and Vocal Performance from St. John’s University (MN). ​ He has also worked toward a Master’s Degree in Music Education at North Dakota State University (NDSU).

Hoemberg is the recipient of several awards, including the Five Wings Arts Council’s Community Arts Leadership Award and the “Larry Award” from the VoiceCare Network. ​ He has presented at numerous conferences and clinics, where he has shared his passion for music education. It is a core belief for Hoemberg that every human deserves the opportunity to experience singing, regardless of age or ability. Most importantly, a safe and supportive learning environment is the most significant element of education.

In the spring of 2016, Hoemberg shifted careers when he began working full time as a superintendent and heavy equipment operator for JL Trucking, Excavating, and Grading (Staples, MN). This led to a seven-month stint as an adjunct instructor for Central Lakes College (Staples, MN) in the Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance Department/ He is currently the Dean of Skilled Trades and Industry at St Cloud State University.

Although his life is quite busy with a variety of responsibilities, Hoemberg still finds time to occasionally make music. His pride and joy are his two daughters, Molly and Meredith.

Mark grew up in Todd County on a beef farm just south of Clarissa, Minnesota. In addition to being passionate about the role the arts play in community development, he is committed to providing access to creative and cultural activities throughout the entire region. 

Even though his mom was an avid visual artist and he dabbled in theater as a student, Mark admits that he “really wasn’t looking for a job in the arts, the arts just found me.” Over thirty years later, there are no regrets.  Mark continues to focus on ensuring everyone has the opportunity to take part in the arts.

Mark completed his undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota – Morris where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Speech Communication.  Before coming to the Five Wings Arts Council in 1992, he wore many different hats in the workforce including a college admissions counselor, restaurant chef, photographer, and bartender to mention just a few. 

When not at work, no moss grows under Mark’s feet.  He finds joy in staying busy with his sweetheart of 25 years and their many projects and passions including community service organizations, classic muscle car restoration, drag racing, home improvement, and their beloved pets.

Email: mark.fwac@arvig.net

Vicki Chepulis is Grants & Program Coordinator for the Five Wings Arts Council, supporting and promoting artists and creative experiences in Wadena, Todd, Morrison, Crow Wing, Cass Counties, and the Leech Lake Tribal Community. Previously she co-founded and served as Executive Director of Trollwood Performing Arts School, a youth development program based in the arts, in Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN.

Vicki’s passion is connecting artists of all disciplines with every component of community development to catalyze innovative solutions to the challenges our towns and cities face. She serves on the Board of Directors for Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals (Moorhead, MN) and the Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP is a division of the University of Minnesota Extension) where she is also the central MN representative on the RSDP Statewide Executive Committee. She lives in Wadena, where she and her husband, artist Kent Scheer, welcome the public to their wooded property, Green Island—a refuge for wildlife and people seeking a connection to nature.

Email: vicki.fwac@arvig.net