2024 Impact Report

When we realized that our 16th festival season would align with the Olympic games in Paris, Taylor Ward, Christian Reif, and I – along with our artistic advisors – recognized the opportunity to showcase the Heroic Journeys taking place here in the Brainerd Lakes Area of central Minnesota.

Thank you to all of the artists, donors, volunteers, and attendees for your part in fulfilling our mission and inspiring impact in our region. The transformative musical experiences we’ve shared are only possible through the connections that are gorges between us all and our community.

With gratitude,
Scott Lykins
Artistic & Executive Director

Mission:

The Lakes Area Music Festival sparks connections between its central Minnesota community and the nation’s top classical performers to create transformative musical experiences.

Vision:

To be a creative cultural force, essential to our region and vital to the world of classical music.

Core Values:

EXCELLENCE. We believe in creating the highest quality of experience for our musicians and audiences as measured against any international standard.

ACCESSIBILITY. We believe in eliminating cultural, economic, and geographic barriers that often make classical music inaccessible.

COMMUNITY. We believe that creating lasting relationships between artists and audiences leads to a shared sense of purpose and long-term commitment to our region.

Extraordinary Performances

256 artists from leading orchestras and opera companies around the world presented 82 concerts and special events in the 2024 year.

8 Winter Series concerts in Brainerd and Minneapolis

5 Prelude Series performances in Aitkin, Bemidji, Brainerd, Crosslake, and Nisswa

12 mainstage concerts at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts

7 casual classics performances

3 world premieres; 1 U.S. premiere

“You have built an incredible festival and it was a joy to experience it first-hand after hearing so much about it from my colleagues. The atmosphere is so positive and enthusiastic and it was such a pleasure to work with Christian again and lead the fantastic orchestra that you’ve gathered in Brainerd. When I got home to my host’s house after the Beethoven 9 concert, she was waiting at the front door and through tears told me that she couldn’t believe that they’re lucky enough to have this in Brainerd.

Needless to say I’m feeling very inspired after my week in Lakes Area!”

— Julia Noone, Violin – Louisville Orchestra
(1st time participant)

Inspiring Education

“Our kids came home from camp smiling every night. They were constantly singing, dancing, and finding household items to make music with.” — Parent, Explore Music!

LAMF’s education programs inspire the next generation of musicians and audiences through classroom visits with professional musicians, a weeklong day camp for elementary students, and concerts and programs tailored to families. Adults learn through our new Listening Labs, as well as open rehearsals, pre-concert lectures, and more.

54 explorers attended the Explore Music! Day camp

171 kids and families visited the Sound Garden at Northland Arboretum

1,326 middle and high schoolers participated in the Music Mentors Project

Community Connection

“We performed Beethoven’s Op. 135 String Quartet, one of the last pieces he ever wrote, at the Crow Wing County Jail. When we got to the third movement of the quartet, which starts very still — the whole thing is very sentimental and reflective — several people in the audience were moved to tears. Most of them had never heard a string quartet or music by Beethoven before, and seeing how deeply they were moved was a much needed reminder of the profound ways music can connect us with ourselves and each other.”

— Alex Cox, cellist, Thalea String Quartet

418 people connected through outreach performances

LAMF’s outreach performances brought musicians out of the concert hall to senior living communities, families living with Alzheimer’s, children with high-sensitivity, and incarcerated audiences at the Crow Wing County Jail.

2024 By the Numbers

818 Individual Donors

256 Volunteers

83 Host Homes

26 National Broadcasts

9,020 Audience Members

34,800 Viewers Online

First time reaching the heroic milestone of raising $1 MILLION!

Financial Statement

Individual Contributions	$512,770	46.4%
Grants	$227,357	20.6%
Fundraising Events	$202,736	18.4%
Concert Tickets & Donations	$109,910	10.0%
Corporate Sponsorships	$39,868	3.6%
Other Earned Income	$11,417	1.0%
Total	$1,104,058	100.0%

Artist Fees, Travel, Hospitality	$620,013	51.9%
Other Artistic Programming	$211,839	17.7%
Fundraising	$163,416	13.7%
Administration	$130,141	10.9%
Marketing	$41,990	3.5%
Education & Outreach	$26,917	2.3%
Total	$1,194,316	100.0%

Balance Sheet

ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash Reserve Restricted	$11,581
Cash Reserve Unrestricted	$52,555
Investments	$5,670
TOTAL ASSETS	$69,806

LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Total Current Liabilities	$1,301
Equity
Unrestricted Net Assets	$158,760
Net Income	-$90,255
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY	$69,806

NOTE: The Lakes Area Music Festival’s fiscal year runs October 1 through September 30.

Board and Staff

2024 Board

Curt Nielsen, Chair
Ginny Knudson, Vice-Chair
Julie Steiff, Secretary
John Ingleman, Treasurer
Kari Christiansen
Cynthia Janes
Cheryl Karlgaard
Loki Karuna
Patty Norgaard
Chris Roberts
Carol Russell
Chuck Schotzko
Brett Severson
Jon Steblay
Ruth Ann Wefald
Mary Anne Bennett, emeritus
Matt Kilian, incoming member
Tanna Moore, incoming member
Jana Shogren, incoming member

2024 Staff

Scott Lykins, Artistic & Executive Director
John Taylor Ward, Artistic Director
Christian Reif, Music Director
Daniel Meyers, Development Director
Mary Hanson, Bookkeeper
Gabrielle Illg, Stage Manager
Dan Mollick, Front of House Manager
Holly Radis-McCluskey, Box Office Supervisor
Alexander Peña, Explore Music! Director
Monica Schram, Musician Housing Coordinator
Alyssa Inglett, Marketing Assistant
Alyssa Neistadt, Event Coordinator
Angela Lara Cabrera, Artistic Administration Intern
Emily Densmore, Development & Communications Intern
Paul Sandberg, Production Assistant