Creative Individuals-Round 1

Namitha Binu: Binu is president of a DaysForGirls chapter at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, a nonprofit that works to ease period poverty around the world. She also volunteers with the M Health Fairview services in its pediatric units. Binu also gives her time to help immigrant students or students with immigrant parents with their undergraduate applications. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in computer science.; John Ginocchio: Ginocchio is director of bands and professor of music at Southwest Minnesota State University where he directs all the bands and teaches conducting, theory, and instrumental music education courses. Ginocchio holds a master of music and doctor of arts from Ball State University (Muncie, IN) and a bachelor of music education degree from Indiana University (Bloomington, IN). He coordinates the guest artist series for the band program at Southwest Minnesota State University, which brings professional musicians to the region for clinics and performances.; Cecily Harris: Harris has written local, regional, state, federal, and foundation grant applications for more than 35 years for government agencies and nonprofit organizations as an employee and consultant. She currently works as a consultant for two California based firms performing funder research, needs assessments, grant writing, grant administration, and mentoring. She has a BS in renewable natural resources and an MBA in marketing. She currently serves on the boards of ArtReach St. Croix, Stillwater Area Community Foundation, and New Century Club. She also serves as an appointee on the Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee and the Metropolitan Council Parks and Open Space Commission.; Jayson King: King has held various management and teaching positions for community service and health care. He has a degree in fine art, art education, and is an RN. His work in health care has taken him locally and throughout the country teaching holistic care to health professionals. Part of his local work has been managing a foundation grant funded Art of Healing program?supporting local artists through art purchases for clinics, exhibition spaces, and healing art based groups. He is a working artist and has a strong lifelong interest in new art, performance, music, and writing.; Michael Krauss: Krauss has been a tattoo artist for more than 30 years and is interested in branching out to learn about other aspects of the art community. Krauss was invested in opening a local art gallery in the town of Kasson which would allow for the promotion of local artists and provide a space for instruction in various mediums to build a more connected art community in rural areas. Krauss has some experience with digital media such as photoshop and illustrator from college as well as credits in more traditional art forms and mediums.; Jean Louis: Louis is an avid supporter of the arts in central Minnesota, serving on a fine arts council to support sound and lighting needs for the performing arts center in the local high school, assisting with producing an annual talent showcase, and writing grant proposals for the schools and community theater groups. She has experience in arts administration, development, and production logistics. With a degree in music education, she has accompanied (piano) multiple musical theater productions, played for a dinner theater, and currently plays for services in multiple churches as well as weddings and other events. She volunteers in a nearby school district to provide vocal coaching and play for choir concerts.