Spring (Yaoyi) Ma

Executive Director
Spring Ma is a student at Fargo North High School. Upon putting her hands on her first instrument "Guzheng", a traditional Chinese instrument, she felt the power of music. Since then, she has also became a violinist. Spring has been actively involved in her school orchestra, and is eligible to play for the highest leveled group. In addition to music, Spring has also had experiences in business. Spring took a marketing course during sophomore year, and served as the school business club's (DECA) treasurer. Also, Spring attended the Young Entrepreneurs Academy! in 2019-2020. Further from managing Resonate, Spring enjoys painting, forensics, traveling, and gaining new knowledge.

Joanna Lin

Founder & Board Member
Joanna is currently a student at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and has since stepped down as Resonate's Executive Director. Joanna has always had a passion for music. She progressed from listening to musical “Little Einsteins" CDs in the car as a child to learning the piano and clarinet, and was admitted as 1 of 3 clarinets nationwide to the Carnegie Hall's 2019 National Youth Orchestra 2 Program. She is the Principal Clarinet of the ND All-State Orchestra from 2018-2020, the Fargo Moorhead Area Youth Symphony, and the Davies Wind Ensemble. She is also a Young Entrepreneurs Academy! graduate of the class of 2017. In addition to musical activities, Joanna enjoys being involved in her extracurricular commitments, learning languages, spending time with friends and family, and making bad puns. 

Natalie Hest

President
Natalie Hest serves as the Membership Manager for Prairie Public. She is a Board-Certified and Licensed Music Therapist who believes creativity and music enables all people to thrive. Natalie holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with an emphasis in Music Therapy. She is an accomplished vocalist and classically trained pianist and also plays the guitar both in and outside of Music Therapy sessions. Natalie is also a proud alumnae member of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity. In her free time, Natalie is an avid baker and runs her own small business, Prairie Fire Bakery, out of her home in Glyndon

Greg Schultz

Treasurer
Greg Schultz is a music educator, director, researcher, and performer in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He currently serves as the orchestra director at Fargo North High School. Greg holds a BA in Piano Performance and an M.A. in Historical Musicology. He earned his teaching license at UND while working towards his Ph.D. in Music Education and also teaching Fine Arts and occasional music history courses. As a musician, he studied with pianists Du Huang, Miko Kominami, and Yong Hi Moon. He also is an active collaborative pianist and organist for collegiate recitals and performances, and enjoys making music with his students from the piano for contests and other recitals. Greg wants to be a part of Resonate for those students who are searching for their voices in music. He believes Resonates mission gives students a voice and a great spark of inspiration for music in their lives.
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Verlene Stotts

Board Member
Verlene “Beanie” Stotts has been teaching band at Discovery Middle School in Fargo, North Dakota and is the Music Department Chairperson and a member of the Fargo Public School District Performing Arts Committee. She received her B.M.E. from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota and M.M. in Clarinet Performance from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico. In addition to her duties at Discovery, she enjoys teaching in her private clarinet studio, performing with the Clarion Quartet, cooking, shopping for “deals”, as well as spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Tiana Grisé

Board Member
Dr. Grisé is an instructor of flute at Minnesota State University Moorhead. In addition to appearing as a guest performer and collaborator, she is also the executive director of the Fargo Moorhead Area Youth Symphony. During the summer she instructs flute at the International Music Camp, and is active in the Lake Agassiz Concert Band. Dr. Grisé is a native Montanan, and received her D.M.A. in Flute Performance at James Madison University. She also holds a Master in Music degree from the Oklahoma state University.
​Sherry Linnerooth​
Board Member
Sherry Linnerooth is the Manager and Schools Sales Representative for Eckroth Music in Fargo. She is just completing her 30th year with Eckroth Music. Sherry received her B.M.E. from Concordia College and has taught music education in Bozeman, MT and Fargo, ND. She currently teaches horn at MSUM. Sherry's work as Executive Director of the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra for five years gave her the opportunity to experience all aspects of a non-profit arts organization. Sherry admires and shares Resonate’s goal of giving every child the opportunity to be touched by music.

Peter Nelson

Minnesota State University Moorhead Representative ​
 Peter is a cellist and third-year student at Minnesota State University Moorhead majoring in instrumental music education. He has performed as principal cellist of the NDSU Symphony Orchestra and the MSUM String Ensemble, double bassist of the MSUM Wind Ensemble, and a vocalist with the MSUM University Choir. He is currently president of MSUM’s chapter of the National Association for Music Educators. Peter teaches at Horizon Middle School's Summer Orchestra Camp and has interned at the Upper Midwest String Camp at the College of St. Benedict.

Evren Akyuz

North Dakota State University Representative ​
Evren is a bassoonist and first-year student at NDSU majoring in music performance and mechanical engineering. He is currently a bassoonist with the NDSU Wind Symphony and NDSU woodwind quintet. He also plays saxophone in the NDSU Jazz Lab Band. He has performed as principal bassoonist in the FM Area Youth Symphony and Davies High School Wind Ensemble and Full Orchestra. During high school he participated in the UND honor band and was selected to the NDMEA All-State Ensembles all 4 years.