Cultural Expression

Zachary Colby: After singing tenor in the ensemble for seven years, Colby joined Cantus as its development manager. He is passionate about connecting with the community through local partnerships and championing narrative programming. He left the ensemble to pursue a career in academia, teaching voice and related courses at the University of Nebraska Omaha before moving home; he is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve in the Minnesota arts community. Colby earned a master's degree and doctorate in voice from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor's degree in music education from Butler University (Indianapolis, IN). ; Peter Driessen: Driessen is a multipractice visual artist, painter, sculptor, and cultural producer who creates site-specific conceptual initiatives, found object installations, interdisciplinary sculpture projects, and participatory public art that explores the visceral connections of social, spatial, and material dynamics. His past and current artwork blend mixed media, sculpture, installation, and public art into an interdisciplinary confluence of ideas: site and space, location and identity, and capitalism and the commons. Driessen received his MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts (Montpelier, VT) and has exhibited regionally and nationally with critical review. He extends his artistic practice via curation, collaboration, and community activity. ; Pia Charlotte Hanson: Hanson is serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA worker at Community Action Duluth, supporting its food access and conservation workforce development programs with grant writing and curriculum development. Hanson has a BA in American studies, a BS in forestry, and a MS in sustainable development. She took one of her German high school graduation exams in art history and is an avid museum visitor. This spring, she volunteered at the Japanese Film Festival in Frankfurt, Germany, which included helping a Japanese artist share her work with German speaking visitors. ; Elizabeth Moe: Moe has more than 25 years of experience as an administrator and consultant in the nonprofit sector. She works with nonprofit organizations to help strengthen them through grant writing, strategic planning, and board governance. She has reviewed grants, written them, and taught grant writing to various groups. She graduated from Concordia College with a mass communications degree and has received awards for writing on local, state, regional, and national levels. She is a member and past chair of the Great River Shakespeare Festival and volunteers at many events in the community. ; Alissa Morson: Morson works at Minnesota State University, Mankato, as the director of international recruitment and communications. As a midcareer higher education administrator, Morson has worked in three different institutions to improve access to affordable education opportunities and increase the visibility of international students' experiences and contributions to U. S. institutions. Morson has participated as a Minnesota State Arts Board advisor in 2020 and 2021. Morson holds a master's degree in international education from School for International Training Graduate Institute and a BA from Carleton College. ; Phaedre Sanders: Sanders was born and raised in Saint Paul. She works as a tax professional at a large financial firm. As a single mother of two children and lover of the arts, Sanders volunteers with many organizations, including Midway Investment Cooperative, the Progressive Center for Educational and Economic Development, and the Minnesota State Arts Board.