2 0 2 5 | I M P A C T R E P O R T

With Myths & Magic as our theme, our 17th year was able to capture the spellbinding impact of our organization in Central Minnesota. From our “Up North” take on the opera Hansel & Gretel, to magician-pianist Igor Lipinski, to the mythic proportions of our 99-person orchestra at Wagner's Ring Without Words, each concert, education, and community outreach activity sparked connections throughout our LAMF community.

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

246 artists from leading orchestras and opera companies around the world presented 84 concerts and special events in the 2025 year.

8 Winter Series concerts in Brainerd and Minneapolis

4 Prelude Series performances in Aitkin, Bemidji, Nisswa, and St. Cloud

10 Mainstage Concerts at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts

7 Casual Classics performances

Audience increased by 22%

“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

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.

This past year we made giant steps advancing our commitment to youth education in central Minnesota. Through a partnership with Brainerd Public Schools we hired Marc Haroo as our Youth Education Director. Working full-time and year-round to facilitate meaningful connections to music, Marc's efforts are split between education strategy, organization of numerous classroom visits for grades K-12 and at every school in the Brainerd district, supporting the string program at Forestview Middle School and Brainerd High School, and teaching private lessons in order to make this most important building block of learning accessible in the area.

We offered a side-by-side performance between the Brainerd High Schools orchestras and international baroque violinist Chloe Fedor.

More than 800 elementary students from surrounding districts bussed in to the Gichi-ziibii Center for a performance of Camille Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals with LAMF musicians from the Minnesota Orchestra.

In one year increased from 1 string student taking private lessons to more than 30 enrolled through our LAMF teaching studio.

EXPLORE MUSIC

“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!

47 explorers attended the Explore Music! Day camp

200+ kids and families visited the Sound Garden at Northland Arboretum

1,934 students, K-12, participated in the Music Mentors Project activities at their school

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

376 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.

2025 By the Numbers

957 Individual Donors

274 Volunteers

91 Host Homes

23 National Broadcasts

11,166 Audience Members

44,800 Viewers Online

Second time reaching the magical milestone of raising $1 MILLION!

Financial Statement

Individual Contributions	$538,091	42.8%
Grants	$268,729	21.4%
Fundraising Events	$227,748	18.1%
Concert Tickets	$130,918	10.4%
Corporate Sponsorships	$48,259	3.8%
Other Earned Income	$44,679	3.6%
Total	$1,258,424	100.0%

Artist Fees, Travel, Hospitality	$634,787	49.5%
Other Artistic Programming	$208,797	16.3%
Fundraising	$120,354	9.4%
Administration	$153,299	12%
Marketing	$68,032	5.3%
Education & Outreach	$96,300	7.5%
Total	$1,281,569	100.0%

Balance Sheet

ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash Reserve Restricted	$8,784
Cash Reserve Unrestricted	$80,094
Investments	$5,894
Other Current & Fixed Assets	$58,756
TOTAL ASSETS	$153,528

LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Total Current Liabilities	$115,523
Equity
Unrestricted Net Assets	$59,992
Net Income	-$21,986
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY	$153,528

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

Board and Staff

2025 Board

Curt Nielsen, Chair
Ginny Knudson, Vice-Chair
Julie Steiff, Secretary
John Ingleman, Treasurer
Kari Christiansen
Cynthia Janes
Cheryl Karlgaard
Loki Karuna
Matt Kilian
Tanna Moore
Carol Russell
Chuck Schotzko
Brett Severson
Jana Shogren
Ruth Ann Wefald
Trudy Rautio, incoming member
Katie Heppner, incoming member

2025 Staff

Scott Lykins, Artistic & Executive Director
John Taylor Ward, Artistic Director
Christian Reif, Music Director
Don Shier, Development Director
Marc Harroo, Youth Education Director
Mary Hanson, Bookkeeper
Kevin Ealy, Stage Manager
Emily Densmore, Front of House Manager
Holly Radis-McCluskey, Box Office Supervisor
Monica Schram, Musician Housing Coordinator
Angela Lara Cabrera, Personnel Manager
Alyssa Inglett, Marketing Assistant
Connor Bitterman, Artistic Administration Intern
Paul Sandberg, Production Assistant