Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1954, flutist Hal Ide grew up in a northern suburb of Detroit. He completed an undergraduate degree in Music Theory and Composition at Central Michigan University as well as a Master in Composition and a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration from the University of Iowa. Upon graduation, he served as Assistant Director of Operations for the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, where he would continue to work during summers for the next two decades. During the academic year, he worked as an administrator at Hancher Auditorium on the University of Iowa campus. He has played with many local music groups over the years and has eight records of mostly original compositions. 
Since retirement, Hal Ide has become a watercolor artist, and served as an Artist in Residence for the National Parks.
Interviewed by Holly Hobbs, 09/22/2020.

Classical violinist Miera Kim is based in Iowa City, Iowa, where she runs the Red Cedar Chamber Music group alongside her husband. Red Cedar Chamber Music brings innovative and entertaining concert projects and residency programs to broad and diverse audiences. Miera has extensive orchestral and chamber music experience. She was named a member of the core ensemble and Executive Director of Red Cedar Chamber Music in 2016. Her extensive orchestral experience is reflected in her work as a professional violinist since the age of 16 with Orchestra Iowa. Miera has appeared frequently with the Quad-Cities Symphony String Quartet and the Maia Quartet. She studied with Jascha Brodsky at the Curtis Institute, Allen Ohmes at the University of Iowa and Doris Preucil at the Preucil School of Music.
Interviewed by Holly Hobbs, 10/02/2020.

Stephanie BadSoldier Snow was raised on the Meskwaki Settlement in central Iowa with traditional Meskwaki ways and is of the Swan Clan. She is an enrolled tribal member of the HoChunk Nation of Wisconsin. Along with Meskwaki and HoChunk heritage, Stephanie is also Lakota and Umohon. As a member of various song, storytelling, and dance troupes, she has had the honor of working with acclaimed Native American performing artists throughout her career. A tremendous lifelong goal was realized when she was blessed to be one of the first Native performers on the Nashville stage. Stephanie is an award-winning artist who holds the Meskwaki way of life dear, appearing on recordings meant to revitalize the tribal language and revive songs once thought lost to the community. Today Stephanie, also a published poet and anthropologist, works from home as a cultural consultant, continues as a virtual musical performer, acts as learning coach to her two children, and spends time sharing ideas with her intellectual husband.
Interviewed by Holly Hobbs, 10/09/2020.