Saturday, June 8 - The Lodge Stage Lineup

2024 Maple Valley Idol, Jr. Winners

Saturday, June 8th

12:00 to 1:00 PM

The Lodge @ Lake Wilderness

Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra Programs has a group for every student at every playing level. Their programs and schedules are designed to help students transition seamlessly and confidently to higher-level playing groups as they develop their musical skills. Their programs are designed for most students to spend two seasons in each orchestra.

Billy has 3 albums to his credit that are presently available everywhere music is sold and streamed: After Midnight, Bootlegged At Dawsons, and Look At Me Now. Billy Shew is a lover of all types of music especially country and jazz/blues. His influences are the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Johnson, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Danny Gatton, Johnny Hilland, Randy Rhoad, Robben Ford, Neil Schon, Larry Carlton, John Denver, and Dave Mathews.

An evocative songwriter known for his intricate fingerstyle guitar work, Rob Kneisler has been an active presence on the Seattle acoustic music scene since emigrating from Michigan in the mid-1990s. Over the past decade, six of his compositions have garnered recognition from regional songwriting competitions. As his own songs collected awards, Kneisler also gained notoriety for his annual Bruce Cockburn tribute concerts featuring a rotating cast of performers. Listeners who hear this influence in the instrumental work on Lift Me Up may appreciate learning that Kneisler owns a literal duplicate of one of Cockburn’s custom guitars built by master luthier Linda Manzer—the top is even cut from the same piece of wood. Mix this with what Kneisler has gleaned from his time in the maritime trio The Whateverly Brothers and a deep appreciation for the histories of his native Michigan and longtime Northwest home, and Lift Me Up becomes an engaging work all its own.

A graduate of the prestigious Boston Conservatory of Music and Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, Rachel was the valedictorian of her undergraduate class and graduated summa cum laude. She has been a prominent voice in various roles, from Narrator and Host of “Three Little Pigs” at the Chicago Symphony Hall to directing Aladdin Jr. in Oak Park, IL. Rachel's commitment to fostering talent is evident as she has adjudicated Illinois State Vocal Competitions and taught voice for over two decades. Her students have achieved notable success, receiving scholarships to elite music schools (Manhattan School of Music & Eastman School of Music) and winning or placing in prestigious vocal competitions, including America’s Got Talent, Classical Singer Competition, Schmidt Vocal Competition, America’s Got Talent, Carnegie Hall’s International American Protege Competition, and Lithuania’s Baltic Voice. 

Rachel is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and has performed in some of the nation’s most prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, & Millennium Park under the baton of luminary conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Bernard Haitink, and James Levine to name a few. Born into a musical family with a director of musical theatre, she has been immersed in the arts from a young age, contributing vibrantly to the communities she has been part of. Rachel is excited to bring her passion for music to the Maple Valley community, where she offers private and group voice lessons, audition prep, beginning piano, as well as music career advice through her studio, Rachel Olson Studio. Visit her at www.rachelolsonstudio.com.

Austin Beers is a violinist who studied with Emily Bolles Stout from age 7-9 and Katrina Cordi from ages 13-21, and spent 3 years in Maple Valley Youth Symphony. He has performed for MVCAC ArtWalk openings 2016-2023, Arts Fest 2019, 2022, and 2023. He also performed in “A Midsummer Nights Dream” at the Lake Wilderness Arboretum 2022, Artwalk March 2023, and End of Summer Music Celebration 8/23/23 at North Bend Public Library.

Saturday, June 8 - Arboretum Line Up

Ashraf Hakim astounds audiences with his broad musical range and soulful sounds from ancient Arabic quarter-tone variations, sweeping orchestral concertos, and improvisations that transcend the soul bridging peace from East to West. Ashraf was 1st Chair and soloist for the Cairo Opera House, Arabic Symphony Orchestra, and Egyptian National Cultural Theater. He has played in over 30 countries on six continents for Kings, Queens, Sheiks, Ambassadors, Presidents, and Prime Ministers. Ashraf is the only musician featured on the Pyramids and Sphynx of Egypt. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington.

The Maple Valley Community Choir was started this May and is a class offered through the Maple Valley Rec Center. In fact this delightful group of 18 community members are performing their inaugural concert here today at the Maple Valley Arts Fest. It is a non auditioned choir for people ages 15-100. Directed by Jackie Edwards who hopes to bring many more joyful concerts to the region.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

Meet Sarah Jolk, a California-born, Colorado-raised, North Carolina “cooked” artist who now calls Washington home. As a singer/songwriter and visual artist, Sarah works with textured acrylic, acrylic pouring, watercolor, and resin; her musical styles mix a bit of Adele with Etta James, with a side of Carol King and Pat Benetar. Sarah is the heart behind EmpowerMe Arts, a local initiative aimed at uniting communities through shared creativity, empowering individuals to embrace their full creative potential.

Based in Black Diamond, WA, Sarah and her husband share their home with two lovable doodles. Explore Sarah's music and public speaking at www.sarahjolkmusic.com. Support her artwork by purchasing prints online: https://sarahjolk.smugmug.com.

Voice in the Valley Music Studio is proud to embark on our 7th year at our location in the heart of Maple Valley, WA. We are excited to serve your musical needs both online and in-person. Our highly educated and passionate teaching faculty boasts a combined teaching experience spanning over 150 years! Voice in the Valley Music Studio is a fun, energetic, family-based studio where classic education meets modern, musical instruction. No matter your age or experience level, we can help you reach your full musical potential! Voice in the Valley Music Studio has been encouraging the musical talents in the greater Maple Valley area since 2010. We are excited to serve the musical needs of our local community offering private Voice, Piano, Viola, Violin, Guitar, and Ukulele Lessons, Group Voice Classes for young beginners, Summer Camps, and year-round performance opportunities!