Volunteer Committee Spotlights

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. How do you know who is on the Committee? You can identify Committee Members by the pins pictured below:

Anytime you see a volunteer wearing this pin, it means you can trust them with your feedback, ideas, and passion. Be sure to say hi next time you volunteer alongside someone from the Committee.

We’ve recently welcomed three new members our Volunteer Committee. These spotlights will introduce you to our committee’s newest members! 

Alan King

Q: What inspired you to begin volunteering?
A: When I realized that so many of the ArtsQuest events that I was attending were staffed by [mainly] volunteers, I wanted to contribute and be a part of that team.

Q: What’s your favorite event to volunteer for?
A: While I am on a mission to try them all, so far, I would have to say the summer series at the Levitt Pavillon. I like greeting and seeing a diverse audience (including dogs!) enjoying a wide variety of musical styles, under an amazing backdrop, and often with beautiful sunsets.

Q: What are some other areas of your life that people look to you as a leader?   
A: : Probably in my professional career in healthcare finance, where I had several different leadership roles over thirty years.

    

Q:What is the best concert you’ve ever been to?
A: December 17, 2000 – Asbury Park Convention Hall – Bruce Springsteen Holiday Show.

Q: What do you look forward to achieving with the Volunteer Committee?
A: I hope to be able to provide feedback, both positive and negative, in a constructive manner from my volunteer experiences AND from any volunteer who seeks me out and wants me to share their feelings with the Committee and perhaps to ArtsQuest leadership.

Kim Letourneau

Q: What inspired you to begin volunteering?
A: When I moved to Bethlehem 35 years ago – we discovered Musikfest – wow! In 2000, I started volunteering there with my daughter, Mariel (who was only 12) – 3 years later my husband, Chris, and our son, Patrick (who was also only 12), joined us and it was a family affair for over 10 yrs. We had added Christkindlmarkt about the same time. We wanted our children to understand what it took to keep these wonderful events going year after year. When the Steel Stax complex opened, we knew we had to be involved. We volunteer at most events that ArtsQuest has – we love live performance and greatly enjoy working with all the volunteers who feel the same way.

Q: What’s your favorite event to volunteer for?
A: I don’t know if I have just one favorite. Musikfest is a one-of-a-kind event – nothing like it anywhere – and the diversity of music from around the world is amazing. Christkindlmarkt brings us into the Christmas City every week and Bethlehem is beautiful that time of year. I also love the intimacy of the concerts in the Musikfest Café – beautiful backdrop – perfectly acoustic.

Q: What is one of your favorite memories of working alongside your fellow ArtsQuest volunteers?  
A: : Again – I don’t just have one. A few fun memories are: Trying to keep up with emptying garbage cans and “slinging” them into the dumpster with my family on Clean Team at Plaza Tropical for Jimmy and the Parrots is nightmare we all laugh about now. Opening the Musikfest Café with performer Jon Anderson from Yes was perfect for all ushers that night. Working with brave ushers who worked the outdoor concerts during COVID so people could support the performers who were so appreciative ArtsQuest was providing them with that opportunity. And “breaking the line” of people waiting to buy admission tickets to Christkindlmarkt every Saturday – very satisfying.

    

Q:What is your favorite restaurant to visit for special occasions?
A: I guess I would say the Apollo Grill in Bethlehem. Consistently excellent food, service, and atmosphere – and then you can walk down Main Street afterwards!

Q: What do you look forward to achieving with the Volunteer Committee?   
A: I’ve worked many different positions at many ArtsQuest events. I’m hoping the perspective I can bring to the table will be helpful in continuously improving everything ArtsQuest does.

Miriam Pitkoff

Q: What inspired you to begin volunteering?
A: My parents were always very active volunteering in various organizations so volunteering came natural to me. In the past I’ve volunteered at the Allentown Literacy Center, ushered at the Allentown Fair, been on the board of directors at my synagogue. I started volunteering at ArtsQuest through my company at Musikfest with a group of co-workers. I really enjoyed that so I signed up in the Volunteer Portal and looked for other opportunities. While at Christkindlmart I learned about ushering at Musikfest Café and given my love of music, that sounded great so I signed up for that training.

Q: What’s your favorite event to volunteer for?
A: I would say either the concerts at Musikfest Café or Musikfest.

Q: If someone was looking for recommendations of really fun places to visit in the Lehigh Valley, what would be your suggestions?
A: : We have so many options here to enjoy. If you like hiking I would suggest going to the Trexler Game Preserve. If you like music, go to a show at Levitt Pavilion or Musikfest Café. If you like amusement rides, Dorney Park.

    

Q:What is your favorite movie?
A: The movies I could watch over and over include “Meet Me in St. Louis” (that’s my hometown), “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, “The Last of the Mohicans” and “Legally Blonde”.

Q: What do you look forward to achieving with the Volunteer Committee?   
A: Making sure that all volunteers have a positive experience like I have and help grow the number of active volunteers.