Songwriters Stage

Kodjo Kounoundji
Kodjo is a versatile music artist blending alternative pop with elements of folk and singer-songwriter storytelling. He’s also known for his emotive lyrics and unique sound. Having performed at several festivals across Minnesota, Kodj continues to grow within the indie scene, and experimenting with new styles.

Kelly Kroeker
North Mankato’s Kelly Kroeker crafts music that blends a diverse range of influences—post-rock, shoegaze, hardcore punk, jazz, and folk—most recently with her band, Beulah Rue. Her songwriting explores themes of social issues, nature, and folklore, aiming to connect listeners through shared experiences.

Greg LeGette
Greg LeGette is a Composer, Trombone Instrumentalist,Vocalist and Sound Designer based in Rochester, Minnesota. Greg’s career started as a trombone instrumentalist and vocalist in the US Navy Band, and in his 8 years of service performed a variety of shows in
various parts of the world such as Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Guam, as well as countless tours and performances stateside. Greg was honorably discharged in 2013 from
active military service. During his time he received various medals and awards, including 2 Navy Achievement medals for his performance both on stage and off. After his service as a military
musician, Greg worked as an assistant engineer and manager at a world renowned recording studio in Seattle, Washington. He also performed as a freelance trombone player and vocalist in
Seattle, Honolulu, Chicago, Detroit, and Atlanta, as well as various other locations both stateside and abroad. In addition to his live performances, Greg has proven himself as an accomplished composer and sound designer, with placements on Netflix and Amazon along with various projects in the US, France and Australia. In 2020 Greg was signed to an indie record label and has released 3 albums and multiple singles. Greg has forged his own path in
the music industry by combining “classical” instrumentation with modern recording and writing techniques and strives to bring new ideas into the world of classical and instrumental music in order to reinvigorate the love for live instrumental music worldwide.

Sarah Houle

Sarah Houle is a low brass musician (euphonium, trombone, tuba), composer and arranger based out of Mankato, MN. She has a degree in Music Perfomance from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is an active musician who plays with several area ensembles including community bands, traditional jazz bands, orchestra, 10-piece rock band and circus band. Her band, Sarah and the Houligans, performed some of her original traditional jazz compositions at the Minnesota Original Music Festival in 2024. Including this group, her original music has been performed by many of the groups she actively performs with. Sarah is a Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council Artist Grant recipient, whose most recent project featured an original work she both composed and performed for solo Double-Bell Euphonium and concert band. Sarah is also a highly skilled arranger, having crafted charts for NOLA brass band, concert band, polka band, circus band, brass ensembles of various sizes and instrumentation, drum corps, solo instruments and more. She has arranged horn charts for Powerhouse, the Mankato Opry, Kris and the Riverbend Dutchman, and Joe’s Garage. Another project she is working on is forming an adult recital series that features local musicians. Such a series would provide a much needed performance outlet for local musicians to perform solo and ensemble literature, including newly composed work. Her website, www.euphoniousmusic.com, showcases many of her arrangements and original compositions.