March 2020 Volunteer Committee Spotlight

Our Volunteer Committee is made up of some of the strongest leaders within our volunteer program. This committee helps the volunteer staff make decisions, bring feedback about events, and create new ways of making procedure better for the future. We’d love for you to get to know these leaders before the next Musikfest, so each month we’ll spotlight a few members for you!

Cathy Little

Q: What inspired you to begin volunteering?
A: It started with an insert to volunteer for Mayfair in the PPL bill. I missed working in staging and wanted to meet more people in the area, so I signed up. Joe Penzes (a past long time volunteer and employee) worked for the sound company at that festival and brought me an application to volunteer for Musikfest staging on the second day of Mayfair. I have volunteered at Musikfest every year since.

Q: What’s your favorite event to volunteer for?
A: Musikfest – It was the first big event for ArtsQuest and the first in which I volunteered. I am scheduled for staging all week, but you will find me in ticket booths, picking up garbage or helping tap beers. I love being able to help if I am needed.

Second favorite is Pouring for tasting events. I am a bit of a beer snob, and I love learning about what is on tap.

Q: When you’re not volunteering for ArtsQuest, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A: Mostly you will find me at home working, hanging with my 3 Fur Children and gardening. I love going to live music events small and large and every genre. Oh and I like to bake cookies. ?

I am a Penn State Master Gardener and volunteer with them planning educational events and helping with their social media campaigns.

Q: If you could bring any artist to Musikfest, who would it be and why?
A: I would say bring the Fratellis to Volksplatz. It would be fun to have the Scottish pop band in a tent, so we could pretend we were at Glastonbury Festival. The Hu to a free stage would be a great runner up.

If we are talking main stage acts – It would be fun to have a night of Movie star bands – Dennis Quaid, Russell Crowe, Keanu Reeves, Juliette Lewis… There are many and it would be fun.

Q: What do you enjoy most about serving on the Volunteer Committee?
A: I love the people that I volunteer with and being on the committee helps me give them a voice, if they are unable to speak up for any reason. The committee is full of wonderful people from all areas of the organization. I have learned a lot from them.

 

Mark Ludlow

Q: What inspired you to begin volunteering?
A: I started working as a Vendor supplying radios to Musikfest in 1998. The head of Theco Communications committee suggested that “I really needed to do a few shifts” to understand the Festival and their needs. When my employer stopped supplying radios, I asked Ray Neeb where I might enjoy working. He grabbed hold of that and its it’s been a blast ever since.

Q: What’s your favorite event to volunteer for?
A: Musikfest.

Q: When you’re not volunteering for ArtsQuest, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like finding low cost treasures at flea markets and yard sales, especially old wooden-handled axes. I then restore them or at least make them “pretty”

Q: If you could bring any artist to Musikfest, who would it be and why?
A: Garth Brooks brings the best to the best Music festivals. That’s a natural fit!

Q: What do you enjoy most about serving on the Volunteer Committee?
A: Being at the heart of the operation, trying to help make our processes work longer and better, and being in touch with great friends all year long.

Scott Frederick

Q: What inspired you to begin volunteering?
A: Well. I began volunteering for Musikfest in 1997. At the time I was working at Guardian and they were a large source of volunteers, as they are today. I was a life long resident of the area but had never attended Musikfest at the time they requested you volunteer minimum of two shifts and if one was in the afternoon they would allow you to still be paid. Get paid AND do Musikfest? Needless to say I had such a great time I kept coming back. I’ve been involved since the Banana Factory was brand new and have seen all the changes and growth that ArtsQuest has had. I’m very proud to be a small part.

Q: What’s your favorite event to volunteer for?
A: My favorite events are probably Musikfest and Levitt. I’ve volunteered at Levitt since the start and enjoy seeing the patrons enjoying the show.

Q: When you’re not volunteering for ArtsQuest, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A: Well. I don’t really have much spare time. Haha. My family owns its own meat business and it keeps me pretty busy. I work weekends so I miss out on many events. But you can find me at Levitt every Wednesday night for the family movie during the summer and the shows on the 3 holidays. I also try to do as much during the year as I can.

Q: If you could bring any artist to Musikfest, who would it be and why?
A: Well. I’d love to see Elvis at Musikfest since I’m a huge fan of his, and I never got to see him while he was alive, but what are you gonna do?

Q: What do you enjoy most about serving on the Volunteer Committee?
A: What I enjoy most about serving on the volunteer committee is being able to promote the viewpoint of the organizations volunteers. I can tell you that ArtsQuest truly does value each volunteer. I’m hoping that each new volunteer has such a good experience they stick around as long as I have.