Visual and Performing Arts - NMU Events and Announcements

Visual and Performing Arts

Murmurations features paintings by Leslie Baum, created in the studio from work made as part of her Plein Air Project. The Project offers a fresh spin on plein air painting – the act of painting outdoors from the landscape. All the work on display stems from her ongoing practice of hosting plein air painting dates, in which she invites others to paint alongside her in the open air. In the spirit of this project, we invite you to invite a friend to join you for a self-directed outdoor painting experience. Gather in front of the museum on Thursday, September 25, at 2:00 p.m., and we will head to an outdoor painting spot.

The event is free and open to all. While the museum will have small clipboards and a few supplies available, you are encouraged to bring your supplies, a hard surface to work on, and a blanket or chair to sit on. We will start with an introduction, but instruction is not provided; this is simply an opportunity to paint outdoors with a partner and share that experience with many others doing the same. 

Visual and Performing Arts

Join us on Wednesday, September 24, at 6 pm, in Art & Design Room 165 for a Visiting Artist talk with Leslie Baum. 

Visual and Performing Arts

Hailing from Brooklyn, Brass Queens is a female-led brass band featuring all-female horns with a sound that is deeply inspired by the New Orleans tradition. They regularly tour across the country and internationally, appearing on festival stages including the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Northlands Music Festival, MusikFest, Duck Jazz Festival, and Exit Zero Jazz Festival.

Visual and Performing Arts

Beethoven and Banjos, an annual project organized by the Northwoods Music Collaborative, is more than a simple presentation of the respective styles of classical and traditional music. The program integrates music and musicians from around the world to create new music and new interpretations of old music. Their past performances at NMU have been very well-received, and this year Beethoven and Banjos will feature Icelandic musicians Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir and Halldór Smárason. Evan Premo performs with Saeunn through his work with Decoda (an affiliate ensemble of Carnegie Hall). Saeunn and Halldór, along with Evan Premo and Laurel Premo will present classical and folk music from Iceland. 

Learn more about Beethoven and Banjos on their website: northwoodsmusiccollaborative.org/beethoven-and-banjos

Visual and Performing Arts

On Friday, September 12th, 2025, please join us for performances, activations, a discussion, and the reception. 

• 12 pm - 5 pm, in front of Art & Design building: misael soto 

• 6 pm: Panel discussion with Mark Jeffery and Kelly Kaczynski 

• 7 pm - 9 pm: Reception featuring performances by Heather Lyon and Kristin Mariani. 

The exhibition features thirty artists who participated in Nido (Italian for "nest"), an artist residency in Monte Castello di Vibio, a hill town in the Umbria region of Italy. The artworks feature a wide range of subjects and multitude of sensory approaches that distill, echo, reflect, and respond to a shared place-based experience. The artworks demonstrate how artist residencies serve as a site of research and play, connecting artists and ideas, fostering community, and laying the groundwork for new approaches to thinking and working, while rapidly transmitting culture.

Artists include Amber J. Anderson, Leslie Baum, Rachel Collier, Gianna Commito, Daisy Craddock, Bailey Fritz, Mary Griffin, Keeley Haftner, Kate Hampel, Mark Jeffery, Kelly Kaczynski, Arnold J. Kemp, Audrey Hynes Kilinski, Emily Lanctot, Amy Lang, Heather Lyon, Kristin Mariani, Jeffrey McMahon, Stephanie McMaho, Heather Mekkelson, Judd Morrissey, Jessica Mueller, Ruth L. Poor, Shawn Powell, Corrie Slawson, misael soto, Ann Stoddard, Simone Whiteley-Allen, Kevin Wixted, and Adrian Wong. 

Visual and Performing Arts

Murmurations: August 25 - November 1

The art exhibition features thirty artists who participated in Nido (Italian for "nest"), an artist residency in Monte Castello di Vibio, a hill town in the Umbria region of Italy. The artworks feature a wide range of subjects and multitude of sensory approaches that distill, echo, reflect, and respond to a shared place-based experience. The artworks demonstrate how artist residencies serve as a site of research and play, connecting artists and ideas, fostering community, and laying the groundwork for new approaches to thinking and working, while rapidly transmitting culture.

Artists include Amber J. Anderson, Leslie Baum, Rachel Collier, Gianna Commito, Daisy Craddock, Bailey Fritz, Mary Griffin, Keeley Haftner, Kate Hampel, Mark Jeffery, Kelly Kaczynski, Arnold J. Kemp, Audrey Hynes Kilinski, Emily Lanctot, Amy Lang, Heather Lyon, Kristin Mariani, Jeffrey McMahon, Stephanie McMaho, Heather Mekkelson, Judd Morrissey, Jessica Mueller, Ruth L. Poor, Shawn Powell, Corrie Slawson, misael soto, Ann Stoddard, Simone Whiteley-Allen, Kevin Wixted, and Adrian Wong. 

Visual and Performing Arts

NMU ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS: Tuesday, August 26th 3:00-6:00pm at the Reynolds Recital Hall. Sign up for a specific 5-minute slot (sign-up sheet will be posted by August 19th on the music department bulletin board (across from TFA 102), or just show up on the 26th!

• Prepare:
  • 60 second solo or etude which represents your ability
  • three octave scale (strings) 2 octaves (winds).

REGISTRATION: Everyone is asked to register 

• MU116 for .5 credit
• MU116A for 0 credit (if you are at your credit limit-contact Dr. Rhyneer) 

REHEARSALS: 4:00-5:50pm Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Reynolds Recital Hall during the NMU semester.

CONCERTS:

• Wednesday, October 15th 7:00 Big String Festival at Marquette Senior High School
• Thursday, November 18th 7:30pm at the Reynolds Recital Hall featuring the Guitar Concerto in D Major by Vivaldi, Christopher Schoelen soloist

LOCKERS/PRACTICE ROOMS: 

• The Music Department Office (TFA 102) checks out lockers (located on floor 1A)
• Keyed practice rooms are available to majors, while non-majors use open rooms located on floor 1A down the hall from the elevator

Thank you for your interest, and please contact me with any questions!

-BR

Dr. Barbara Rhyneer, Professor of Music
Director of Strings and Orchestra

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI 49855

(906) 227-2309
brhyneer@nmu.edu

https://www.upperpeninsulaviolinstudio.com/
https://nmu.edu/music/barbara-rhyneer

Visual and Performing Arts

The NMU Department of Music is excited to have Deux Saisons with us at Reynolds Recital Hall on Friday, September 5, 2025!  Deux Saisons presents concerts with diverse collections of old and new classical repertoire. Featuring soprano Keri Lee Pierson, and classical guitarist Christopher Schoelen, this voice and guitar duo performs works from the Renaissance through the present day.

Deux Saisons (French for “two seasons”) brings classical music to a wide community through integration into diverse venues (such as farms, libraries, breweries, and the main stage).  They frequently incorporate audience participation, and they promote the application of music as a tool for education and restoration.

This concert is brought to you by the Siril Endowment for the Musical Arts, and we hope you’ll mark your calendars for a very special night.  

Visual and Performing Arts

We invite the young dancer in your family to apply for our Wildcat Performing Arts Academy Summer Dance Intensive! This year our transformative program offers a diverse range of classes including ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, composition, choreography/repertoire, conditioning, injury prevention and treatment which will culminate in a guest performance in the North Coast Dance Festival alongside Giordano Dance Chicago, Ballet Project OC, and the NMU CO/LAB Dance Company, and a final performance showcase! This intensive is perfect for dancers looking to hone in their skills, level up their performance, and make connections to the professional industry - we are here to help you grow! Participants will also get the chance to partake in exciting local activities throughout the week. There are options to attend for one or two weeks and this year we have opened enrollment to include those heading into 8th grade! Those participating in the second week will learn choreography for the Showcase from some of our guest instructors and NMU Faculty.

Dates: July 13-27, 2025
Week 1: Classes July 13-20: In week one students will be in classes from 9am-5pm honing in their dance skills!
Week 2: Workshops & Showcase July 20-27: In Week Two, students will build on the skills developed in Week One, culminating in an hour-long showcase performance. This exciting week also includes special sessions with renowned guest instructors:
 

• Nan Giordano – Artistic Director, Giordano Dance Chicago, leading a Giordano Jazz class
• Ally Helman – Artistic Director, Ballet Project OC, teaching Balanchine-style ballet technique
• Jimena Flores Sanchez – Former company member, Moulin Rouge National Tour, offering a Moulin Rouge dance workshop
• Adina Belanger – Choreographer for Just for Kix
• Meg Schneider – Certified Athletic Trainer and Dance Medicine Specialist (Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Chicago Bulls LuvaBulls Dance Team and 312 Crew)
• Aurelia Fure – Circus Artist, Actor, Aerialist

Location: Northern Michigan University - 1401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI 49855
Age: Students in 8th grade through current graduates from the class of 2025!

Further information and our free application can be found HERE! 

Please contact wpaa@nmu.edu for more information. Registration closes on Thursday, July 10 at 5:00PM.

Visual and Performing Arts

Giordano Dance Chicago Masterclass: July 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Forest Roberts Theatre Stage

PRE-REGISTRATION FOR DANCE PARTICIPATION REQUIRED BY 7/21/25. REGISTER HERE.

Please join NMU Theatre and Dance, North Coast Dance Festival, and the Siril Endowment for the Arts for a jazz dance class and talkback led by Nan Giordano of Giordano Dance Chicago on Wednesday, July 23rd from 6:30-8:00PM in the Forest Roberts Theatre! This class will be open to dancers ages 13 and up with at least 5 years of previous formal dance training or at least one year of formal university dance training. We welcome observers of any age into the theatre to experience the joy of the Giordano Technique! There is no fee for participation or observation of this class! Pre-registration for class participation will close on Monday, July 21st at 5:00PM EST. Class size is limited--registering early is encouraged.