Episode Summary:
Chris Tuohy is the founder of ForteMDA, studied at The Juilliard School, and has had encounters with different Jazz Legends. He teaches music, dance, and the arts in his studio here on Camano Island.
Links to Things Mentioned in this Episode
Key Points of Interest:
- Where did Chris grow up?
- Hear the story about how his dad passed away art such a young age
- His mother raised him and his two other brothers
- Where are his siblings located?
- How did Chris get started with music?
- How did Chris end up studying abroad and scholarships to Juliiard?
- Who are some of the people Chris has been able to play with?
- Chris ended up meeting Carson Smith, a Jazz Bass player
- What are all of the places Chris played in Las Vegas?
- What types of dances does Chris teach?
- Why did he move here to Camano Island?
- What store was at the same location that Forte MDA is now located?
Camano Island Locations Mentioned in this Episode:
Bob Schroepfer is the founder of Three Roosters Nursery, and the dad to one of my best friends. I’ve known Bob for a long time, but I never knew his backstory. Enjoy!
Links to Things Mentioned in this Episode:
Key Points of Interest:
- Bob grew up working in the Chicken delight with his parents
- He gives us some tips on touring Niagara Falls
- He also talks about the things he misses the most
- Find out many of the jobs and hats Bob has worn over his career
- He built Bean pickers!
- They would also do civil war reenactments, including shooting canons
- We get a little bit into the history of canons and their design
- Bob shares his experience during his time with the army
- He used to work in old school theater projection as well!
- Where and how did Bob and his wife meet?
- Hear what Stanwood and Camano looked like when he moved here.
- How and when did Bob get into pottery?
- When did he get started with Three Roosters Nursery?
Camano Island Locations Mentioned in this Episode:
Mona Campbell is one of five siblings, who are the 4th generation owners of Kristoferson Farms. She is the Director of Marketing at Canopy Tours NW.
Key Points of Interest:
- When did she start coming up to Camano Island?
- What is the long term plan for Kristoferson Farm?
- What is Mona’s educational background?
- What was her career before working at Kristoferson Farms?
- Mona describes her experience at Harvard University
- Her husband took a position abroad in London, and was able to live there for a couple years
- What brought Mona back to Camano Island?
- She also describes where the idea of Canopy Tours NW came from.
- How have they managed the Family Business aspect?
- What is the mission statement for Kristoferson Farms?
- What are the events they have going on?
Camano Island Locations Mentioned in this Episode:
Lyndsay is the Management Coordinator at Story House Collective. She has loves her job over in Nashville, and gets to travel around with different musical artists.
Links to Things Mentioned in this Episode:
Key Points of Interest:
- Learn a little bit about Lyndsay’s time living on Camano Island
- Hear about Lyndsay’s horse obsession!
- What was Lyndsay studying at Northwest University?
- How did Lyndsay get to work on the same tour with Leanna?
- Find out what Lyndsay got to do with Compassion International
- What happened after the first tour?
- What was the hardest part of the transition for Lyndsay moving to Nashville?
- What does a Management Coordinator do?
- Where does Lyndsay see herself in the next five years?
- Lyndsay’s shares how challenges arise if you are doing what you are supposed to do
Camano Island Locations Mentioned in this Episode:
Mark took over Smokey Point Concrete as it was failing, and turned it around, and eventually sold it. He now is the Vice President and General Manager at the company.
Links to Things Mentioned in this Episode:
Key Points of Interest:
- Find out where Mark grew up
- What sport helped Mark move to different colleges?
- What colleges did he attend and what did he study?
- How did he get started in ready-mix concrete?
- Follow the career path, and how did he get involved with Smokey Point Concrete?
- What was it like taking over a failing company?
- What were the steps he did to turn it around?
- What was his experience along the way?
- Was the building of a strong management team intentional or just happen?
- How many counties does Smokey Point Concrete serve?
- With his son, Craig, now works with in the business as well
- What are some of the challenges they’ve experienced?
- How did the sale of the company come about?
- How has his position changed since the acquisition?
- What is the future of Mark at Smokey Point Concrete?
Camano Island Locations Mentioned in this Episode:
Ed Bednarczyk is a voice actor, and started the Camano Island Radio Theater!
Links to Things Mentioned in this Episode:
Key Points of Interest:
- Ed worked with many great directors, actors, and backstage people at the Goodspeed Opera House
- After working there, he continued on to a 34 year career with United Airlines
- What was Ed’s educational background before going on to United?
- What other roles has Ed done within his career?
- Which one was his favorite?
- What video games has he voiced over?
- How did he hear about Camano Island?
- What local voices does Ed represent
- How did Camano Island Radio Theater get Started?
- He also puts on Voice Over workshops
- He also helped with getting the Camano Soap Box Derby started
Camano Island Locations Mentioned in this Episode:
Links to Things Mentioned in this Episode:
Key Points of Interest:
- Sally has lived on Camano Island for 21 years
- What building did her parents buy as their house growing up?
- Hear about the Sally’s Childhood
- How did Sally eventually move to Camano?
- Hear about Sally’s favorite prank she pulled on Jeff Ericson
- How did Sally get started with glass fusing?
- She also explains the process of her art
- How does Sally come up with her designs?
- How did Mark Ellinger help out Sally get started?
- When did Sally take over the Mother’s Day Art Festival?
- What other events does she organize?
- What does the future look like for Sally Pray?
Local Places Mentioned in this Episode:
Marcus Ellinger is a glass blower at Glass Quest, and the son of Mark Ellinger.
Links to Things Mentioned in this Episode:
Key Points of Interest:
- Find out a little bit about Marcus
- When did Marcus move to this area?
- He started a painting business with his friend out of High school
- How did he get started with working with his dad?
- What did he go to college for?
- Why did he end up quitting it?
- Marcus started with with grunt work in his dad’s shop
- What are the major differences in glass blowing as an art form?
- Why are mistakes or first runs of new products so special to Marcus?
- How did comics play a part in his artist journey?
- How long did him and his friend do the Podcast?
- What was the focus of the Podcast?
- We get into a little bit of nerd talk
- Marcus gives me some homework 🙂
Camano Island Locations Mentioned in this Episode:
Mark Ellinger is the Founder of Glass Quest, and has been blowing glass for 37 years! He and his son are the artists behind the Glass Floats everyone is looking for!
Links to Things Mentioned in this Episode:
Key Points of Interest:
- Grew up in Lake Washington area
- Went to Everett Community College briefly before starting up with a glass blowing company
- Mark saw a special on Dave Chihuly
- Then got started with a company doing grunt work
- But eventually, they began showing him the ropes
- Mark explains the process of glass blowing
- He also explains how he’s not full of “hot air” 😛
- What were the biggest pieces Mark has ever made?
- Mark talks about what made him decide to go out on his own
- He and his son, Marcus, both learn from each other.
- Where was the first glass quest Mark made floats for?
- How did Mark get Glass Quest Started?
- What is one of Mark’s most memorable experiences of Glass Quest.
Camano Island Locations Mentioned in this Episode:
Leanna Crawford grew up on Camano Island and in Stanwood. She now decides in Nashville and is a singer and song writer. She has her first radio single launching in February of 2020!
Links to Things Mentioned in this Episode:
Key Points of Interest:
- What things does Leanna miss the most about this area?
- Leanna started showing horses and doing horse events
- She was homeschooled growing up, and ended up going to Northwest University after graduating
- This is where she studied Music and Business degree
- How did she get her break in music?
- What the beginning of this adventure look like?
- What was it like for Leanna to be in writing room with two experienced artist?
- Leanna and her sister were able to go on the first tour together
- They have continued to be roommates over in Nashville
- Leanna just signed label deal with Provident Music Group
- Her new radio single releases in February
- Leanna talks about the inspiration behind her new single, Funeral
- Where does Leanna see herself in the next few years?
Camano Island Locations Mentioned in this Episode:
