Steven J. Wells

The MacPhail Center for Music is a nonprofit music education center in the Mills District of Downtown East, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has over 10,200 students, providing instruction at 72 locations outside of its downtown Minneapolis facility on more than 35 instruments and in a variety of musical styles. A certified member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, MacPhail remains a steadfast leader in music education. In 2003, the organization changed its name to MacPhail Center for Music to reflect its dedication to the mission of its founder William S. MacPhail – promoting lifelong learning through music. In January 2008, MacPhail moved to its current location at 501 South Second St, Minneapolis, a brand new state of the art music facility. MacPhail Center for Music continues to grow with the number of teaching artists now more than 200 and more than 11,000 students. MacPhail provides instruction at more than 70 locations outside of its downtown Minneapolis facility in more than 35 instruments and a variety of musical styles like jazz, classical, pop, rock, hip hop and world music. MacPhail continues to offer the popular Suzuki Talent Education and Early Childhood Music (ECM) programs, and also has developed a Music Therapy department to offer music education and therapy opportunities to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. In addition, MacPhail has expanded its course offerings to accommodate adults by scheduling programs during lunchtime and after work, and now offers Live Online Lessons, offering students of all backgrounds, abilities and geographies access to our exceptional music learning experiences. Through MacPhail’s innovative Community Partnership programs with inner city and greater Twin Cities’ schools and community organizations, MacPhail serves more than 6,000 children who would otherwise not have access to music education. Each program is tailored to the partner, offering everything from ECM classes at preschools to supplemental music programs at area schools. In addition, MacPhail helps make music education accessible by awarding more than $500,000 in support annually through its financial aid fund.

Wilderness Inquiry, Inc. is a non-profit organization which operates multiday trips and offers daylong programs, training sessions and other events. It helps people from all walks of life to personally experience the natural world. The company was founded by Greg J. Lais in 1978 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN.