By Christine MacIntyre
As arts funding dwindles and screens pull audiences away from live experiences, one Ann Arbor nonprofit is quietly transforming the cultural landscape with soul and purpose. For nearly five decades, Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates (GLPAA) has championed real human connection through music.
This is not just another arts nonprofit. GLPAA is part talent agency, part mentorship incubator, and part community outreach engine. It’s where young artists are not just given a platform, but also the guidance and support they need to launch their careers. Unlike traditional booking agencies that cater solely to large venues and commercial interests, GLPAA takes a more holistic approach to its services. It provides guidance, support, and opportunity to artists across the Great Lakes region.
A Legacy That Began With a Question
Theodore Lettvin, a piano professor at the University of Michigan, founded GLPAA. He wanted to support his students after they graduated, so he set out to help them find performing opportunities in the region.
Matchmaking was the name of the game in the early days, as artists needed opportunities to perform, and communities were hungry for art but often lacked the means or access to performers. GLPAA stepped in to bridge the gap. Over the past 47 years, that simple mission grew into a full-service nonprofit.
Initially, many of the artists were soloists and small classical chamber groups. However, executive director Amanda Stanger-Read stated that they’ve grown significantly over the years, embracing a diverse array of musical styles, including jazz, folk, and world music ensembles from across the Midwest. Today, GLPAA represents a diverse roster of musicians, helps guide young artists through various aspects of their careers, and organizes performances for them.And through it all, GLPAA stayed true to its roots—helping artists thrive in a tough industry and bring more music to the world.
The Artist Roster: A Tapestry of Talent
Take a glance at GLPAA’s current artist roster and you’ll see an eclectic, carefully curated mix of talent. There are classically trained pianists and gospel ensembles, jazz quartets, and genre-defying fusion groups. What unites them isn’t genre or style—it’s passion, professionalism, and a desire to connect with audiences in meaningful ways.
The roster includes groups like the Black gospel ensemble Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder, whose performances blur the lines between church, concert, and revival meetings, captivating audiences across the region with their electrifying energy. You can see the full roster online at https://greatlakespaa.org/our-roster/.
These gifted performers are also educators, innovators, and storytellers who deeply care about connecting with audiences and are willing to venture boldly where others may be hesitant to even explore.
Mentorships & Business Education Occur Behind-the-Scenes
Some GLPAA’s most significant work occurs offstage. Stanger-Read explained that her daily responsibilities involve reaching out to regional presenters to provide updates about artists and their availability. They collaborate with venues of all sizes, including clubs, historic theaters, colleges, libraries, museums, and more.
Once an artist auditions to join the organization’s roster, they’re transformed into marketable, knowledgeable, and sustainable artists. Stanger-Read researches performance opportunities and takes time to understand artists’ work, assisting them in crafting their image and building a brand. Many young or emerging artists desperately need this professional mentorship but rarely receive it. GLPAA enables them to learn the tools of the trade, including the tedious task of navigating contracts and building portfolios. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes support that can mean the difference between burnout and breakthrough.
“I really love to practice my instrument, read about music, listen to music, study music, rehearse with friends, compose, and create music. I was trained to do all those things, but what I wasn’t trained to do was find gigs. Being a working artist is like running a small business, and that’s exactly what this organization helps with. It connects musicians, launches their careers, and provides the support system needed to find the gigs that allow them to continue doing what they love,” said Andrew Bishop, a musician, composer, and educator who serves on GLPAA’s board. Without guidance, connections, and a support system, it can be challenging to persevere, no matter how much talent one possesses. This is where GLPAA steps in.
Supported Artists Support School-Aged Youth
Board member Kristi Bishop shared her thoughts on the importance of accessibility in the arts, stating, “Music is not always equitable in every school district. GLPAA makes opportunities possible with programs like the Caravan program, where artists visit Title 1 schools.” These programs are entirely free to the schools and range from demonstration performances for the entire student body to focused workshops for band and orchestra students. In some cases, CARAVANs even include several-day residencies that culminate in side-by-side performance opportunities for school ensembles. These initiatives enhance the student’s experience but also help the artists adapt their typical concert programs for young audiences.
Musical Moments: A Fundraiser with Heart
Each spring, GLPAA hosts a benefit event called Musical Moments—Art to the Rescue, and this year’s gathering was a masterclass on what makes the organization special. Held in May at the Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti, the event was intentionally informal, immersive, and full of enthusiasm. Guests wandered among vintage fire trucks and historical exhibits while live music filled the space—sometimes softly in the background, other times erupting in a joyful crescendo.
The performances were as varied as the artists themselves. Blues and boogie pianist Mr. B set a toe-tapping tone early on. Then came the ethereal, genre-blending sound of AgawDilim, followed by the lyrical, expressive violin of Henrik Karapetyan. Singer-songwriter Abigail Stauffer delivered an intimate folk-pop set. The evening closed with the roof-raising gospel sounds of Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder—a performance so powerful it could be described as a religious experience, whether you believe in God or the power of art or something else entirely. As gospel singer Nikki D said during her set, “Don’t give up on your dream. Don’t give up on your aspirations. Don’t give up on that book you want to write, that band you want to start, that project you’ve been putting off. The world needs what you have.”
But music wasn’t the only thing highlighted that night. The event featured local food and drink donated or discounted by businesses that believe in GLPAA’s mission. Attendees sampled bites from Basil Babe, Moon Winks Tavern, Busch’s, Casablanca, and Beara Bakes, among others. A silent auction added another layer of excitement with prizes ranging from handmade glass art to Detroit Tigers suite tickets, ballroom dance lessons, and curated gift baskets. Every dollar raised went directly toward supporting GLPAA’s programming and artists.
The Hard Truth: Funding the Arts Is Hard Work
The event was a joyful evening filled with music and camaraderie underscoring a vital message: GLPAA needs support. “It takes $150,000 to run this organization for one year,” said GLPAA board secretary Deborah Katz. Approximately 40% of GLPAA’s income comes from grants and donations, historically from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, which is funded by the State and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). “It’s been a tough year for us: funding has been pulled and grants have been eliminated. We can’t support artists, and they can’t perform for kids in schools or senior centers without the necessary funds,” Katz explained.
Board member Kristi Bishop emphasized the urgency of the situation: “The arts help us and musicians continue to find beauty in the world. There are many demands on our finances, but I don’t want our musicians to lose out.” For some artists, GLPAA serves as a lifeline; for others, it’s a launchpad. For everyone involved, it’s a reminder that art is not optional—it’s essential. Although the fundraiser was a success raising an additional $14,000 for the organization, Stanger-Read actively seeks new sources of grant money.
Looking Ahead: A Future in Harmony
As GLPAA looks toward its 50th anniversary, the organization is not just reflecting on its past—it’s envisioning its future. Plans are underway to expand its outreach into more rural communities, deepen partnerships with schools, and launch a new artist development program that pairs emerging musicians with mentors and career coaches.
Whether you’re a music lover, a philanthropist, a school administrator, or just someone who believes in beauty and creativity, there’s a role for you in GLPAA’s story. You can donate. You can attend a concert. You can volunteer. You can become a board member. But most importantly, you can believe in the power of art to heal, inspire, and connect. Because, in the end, that’s what GLPAA is about. Not just notes on a page but moments that matter.
To learn more about Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates, explore upcoming performances, or make a donation, visit www.greatlakespaa.org or on Facebook @GreatLakesPAA. You can also contact them by phone at (734) 276-8558 or email at glpaaoffice@gmail.com.
