John Stanford

John Stanford, a trained vocalist originally from Rockford, Illinois, moved to Milwaukee in 2018 with the intent of becoming an educator. What started as a professional shift quickly became a personal transformation, as he fell in love with the city’s vibrant music scene and creative spirit. Over the years, John has accomplished a great deal—both as a performer and as a mentor—but one goal continues to drive him: building and strengthening Milwaukee’s music community through meaningful collaboration. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, John remains committed to connecting artists, creating space for shared growth, and ensuring that music in Milwaukee thrives for generations to come. John is currently serving as a Voice Teacher at Mosaic Creative Studios in Brookfield, Teaching Artist with Kids From Wisconsin. While teaching is a gift and a form of ministry, John strives to continue to explore his limits in performance and never shies away from sharing his soul and his gifts. John has sung from very small, intimate settings to large arenas. Every time he gets to share his gift with the world is a message that even the smallest gesture, encounter, or song can change your entire day and life.

Dan VanZeeland

Dan VanZeeland is a three-time DownBeat award-winning composer, arranger, and pianist currently based in Madison, Wisconsin. His musical style has been described by a mentor in a DownBeat interview as “informed by the history and tradition of the music, yet it’s forward-looking… always looking at new ways to spin old sounds.” Drawing on a wide range of influences, his work spans from solo piano to full studio orchestra, often blurring the lines between composition and improvisation. He remains active as a performer and collaborator, with original music and arrangements featured on stages and recordings across the U.S.

Feather & Stone

Feather & Stone is a newly formed folk/country duo from Milwaukee, WI featuring vocal powerhouse Autumn Sater and instrumental guru Nate Scheurell. This project is a culmination of their unique coming together story and their individually rich musical histories coming together to curate stripped down musical energy full of feeling and emotion that will keep you on the edge of your seat.