ABOUT

“Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.”

~ Stevie Wonder

Read an article about Idaho Concerts in Care in the Boise Arts and History blog:https://www.boiseartsandhistory.org/blog/

Our Director, Karen Mang Kennedy sang many concerts with Kallisto Trio, an a cappella women’s trio, for the Health Arts Society while living in British Columbia. During this time, Karen discovered in a profound way, how music has a lasting, positive impact on people with illness or disability or others who are unresponsive to human interaction. During Kallisto’s concerts, some residents in care responded with singing along, outcries, moaning, exuberant, spontaneous clapping, cheering, rocking forward and back. Others joined Kallisto’s performances! Time after time, it became clear what impact these concerts were having on people. It was truly a joy to see people enjoying the gift of live music and expressing it publicly. One memory resonates to this day. Kallisto was performing at a care home where the mother of celebrated Canadian mezzo -soprano, Judith Forst was a resident. Mrs. Forst at this time was unable to speak and was generally unresponsive. As Kallisto was singing, she began moaning loudly in recognition of the music, something the staff said later was astonishing. Karen experienced many more beautiful moments including connecting with residents after concerts to share stories. These experiences made a deep and lasting impression and so after immigrating to the US in the spring of 2019, she was inspired to use the Canadian model in Idaho.

MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Karen Mang Kennedy

Director

Karen hails from Saskatchewan. She completed her Bachelor of Music Performance (clarinet) at the University of Victoria. While there, she toured extensively with the UVic Chamber Singers. She served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for 13 years in North Vancouver, RCMP Headquarters and Surrey, BC. Karen has sung with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Phoenix Chamber Choir, musica intima vocal ensemble and as section leader with Christ Church Cathedral Choir in Vancouver as well as directing children’s choirs. Before immigrating to Boise, she worked as a free-lance musician in the Vancouver area. Having sung for the Heath Arts Society in BC, she is excited to bring this concept to residential care homes in Idaho.

Jerri Knapp

Vice President

Jerri is no stranger to the non-profit world as she began her professional career 30 years ago working for Hospice of Central Florida as a Licensed Counselor. She continued working in the non-profit sector in Florida until 2006 when she happily relocated to Boise. In 2007, she joined the staff at the Cathedral of the Rockies where she served as Executive Director until 2021. While retirement is not a word that Jerri can necessarily relate to, she is more comfortable with defining this season of life as a change in tempo. She enjoys investing her time in her counseling practice, camping and creating music with her grandchildren. Jerri believes we need to celebrate the mile-markers that define our journey and she resonates with the quote from Thich Nhat Hanh ,”Life is available only in the present”.

Chad Spears

Secretary

Chad Spears, a native of Boise, ID, has performed across the US, with additional appearances in Canada and Mexico. He has been featured with the Spokane Symphony, Washington-Idaho Symphony, Coeur d’Alene Symphony, and University of Idaho Symphony Orchestra. Chad received his Doctor of Music Degree in Piano Performance at Florida State University under the tutelage of Dr. Read Gainsford. He currently serves as an adjunct instructor for Boise State University’s Department of Music, teaching ear training and class piano, and also serves as a freelance collaborative pianist. Chad is the pianist for the Boise-based group Tree City Chamber Players and collaborates with TRICA, Alley Repertory Theater, Gemma Arts, Opera Idaho, the Boise Philharmonic, and other Treasure Valley orchestras. In his spare time, Chad enjoys composing music for solo piano, spending time with friends and family, and supporting the Treasure Valley’s vibrant arts community!