Known for his passionate artistry and engaging stage presence, pianist Jon Kimura Parker has performed regularly at the Berlin Philharmonie, Carnegie Hall, London’s South Bank, the Sydney Opera House and the Beijing Concert Hall. In 2019 he was appointed the Minnesota Orchestra’s first-ever creative partner for Summer at Orchestra Hall, a new role in which he is serving as a creative force behind the Orchestra’s summer festival and appearing each summer as a host, performer and personality.

Silver Ainomäe was born in Tallinn, Estonia. At the age of six he began to play the cello and piano. In 1990 Silver's family migrated from Estonia to Finland and at the age of twelve, he was accepted to the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where his teachers were Hannu Kiiski and Arto Noras. After receiving a master’s degree at the Sibelius Academy, he attended London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Razumovsky Academy under the guidance of Oleg Kogan. He has been awarded multiple prizes and awards at competitions worldwide including the Isang Yun, Lutoslawski and Paulo competitions.

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT) produces original plays, hosts puppet shows and workshops and leads residencies throughout the Midwest. For many years it produced the MayDay parade. HOBT has often collaborated with the Minnesota Orchestra for Young People’s Concerts and Hansel and Gretel productions. At the 2022 Summer at Orchestra Hall festival, it collaborated with the Orchestra in choreographed performances of Smetana’s The Moldau. Its puppets were also featured at 2011 performances of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

G. Phillip Shoultz, III, who is known for fostering community and inspiring action among people of all ages and abilities, enjoys a multifaceted career as artist, educator, consultant, speaker and pastoral musician. He is the associate artistic director of VocalEssence, where his most visible impact is seen through his visionary leadership as founding conductor of the VocalEssence Singers Of This Age and through his engaging Take 5 with GPS daily livestream and series of instructional videos. He also serves Westwood Lutheran Church as Cantor for Music, Worship and the Arts, and he frequently appears throughout the U.S. as a guest clinician, adjudicator and consultant.

Gilda Houck-Markovits received a bachelor of arts in Deaf education from Evergreen State College. Prior to graduating in 2000, she was a student teacher at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. She later dove into the interpreting field and in 2015 graduated from Saint Paul College with an associate of applied science in interpreting and transliterating. Since then, she has had her hands in education, community, theater and video relay work. She has also volunteered throughout the community, and in addition to being a Sign Language interpreter, she is also a DeafBlind Intervener.