Q & A with North Shore Music Association’s New Executive Director

By Joe Friedrichs

Grand Marais, MN — The North Shore Music Association (NSMA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Barbara Jean Meyers as its new Executive Director. A longtime Cook County resi­dent, accomplished musician, and experi­enced arts profession­al, Meyers brings a wealth of skills, lead­ership, and passion to this role.

Meyers has spent her career cultivating con­nections through mu­sic, storytelling, and community building. As a professional mu­sician, she has toured internationally behind three albums of orig­inal music, collabo­rating with acclaimed artists such as Bon Iver, Anaïs Mitchell, and Jenny Lewis. Her work includes curat­ing sold-out shows at The Dakota Jazz Club, Southern Theater, and Icehouse, as well as co-directing music production for North House Folk School’s record-breaking Un­plugged event in 2022.

Meyers is also an award-winning jour­nalist and radio pro­fessional. She served as WTIP’s first-ever News Director, es­tablishing the station as a leading regional source for news and cultural information. Most recently, she managed WTIP’s Sto­ryCorps’ One Small Step initiative, foster­ing meaningful con­versations that build bridges across differ­ences—highlighting her ability to strength­en community con­nections.

Journalist and pod­caster (The Shore Thing Podcast) Joe Friedrichs had the op­portunity to talk with Meyers and ask her a few questions…

You’ve been named the director of the North Shore Music Association. Tell us why you were inter­ested in this position?

I was drawn to this position because it perfectly aligns with my passion for using music to inspire and connect communities. With my background in music production, performance, and event coordination, I see an incredible op­portunity to contribute to NSMA’s mission and build on its legacy of bringing meaning­ful artistic experienc­es to the North Shore.

For those who aren’t familiar with NSMA, what does the organi­zation do?

The North Shore Music Association enriches lives and strengthens com­munity through live performances and a celebration of artistic diversity. NSMA pro­duces concerts, danc­es, and workshops throughout the year, engages audiences of all ages in musical ex­periences, and collab­orates with local or­ganizations to enrich the arts culture of the North Shore.

What are the cur­rent strengths of the NSMA?

NSMA’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality, diverse musical experiences is one of its biggest strengths. Its commit­ment to fostering com­munity partnerships and engaging audi­ences of all ages has established NSMA as a cornerstone of the arts on the North Shore. The organi­zation also benefits from a strong base of community support, including volunteers and donors.

What are some things you’d like to adjust or refresh in terms of the music NSMA brings to the North Shore?

Minnesota boasts an incredible music scene, with talented local artists, touring musicians, and out­standing venues. I want to strengthen NSMA’s connection to this vibrant com­munity. I also hope to expand the organiza­tion’s educational pro­grams and workshops to further enrich com­munity engagement. Additionally, I aim to create more opportu­nities for local mu­sicians to share their talent and perform.

Will you be expand­ing things like the NSMA’s social media platforms and being more present on plat­forms like YouTube?

Yes, increasing NS­MA’s digital presence is a priority. Expand­ing social media out­reach and establishing a more active pres­ence on platforms like YouTube would allow NSMA to reach wider audiences and connect with young­er generations. Shar­ing event highlights, artist interviews, and behind-the-scenes content can foster en­gagement beyond live performances.

Do you see an oppor­tunity for collabora­tion with places like North House, WTIP, and Visit Cook Coun­ty when it comes to bringing live music to the North Shore? If yes, please explain.

Absolutely! Collab­orating with orga­nizations like North House, WTIP, and Visit Cook County can amplify the im­pact of live music on the North Shore. For example, my experi­ence co-directing mu­sic for North House’s Unplugged event highlights the poten­tial for mutually ben­eficial partnerships. Together, we can cre­ate unique, high-qual­ity events that draw residents and visitors alike while supporting local arts and culture.

What’s your history and current connec­tion to making and performing music on the North Shore and elsewhere?

My connection to music on the North Shore began with per­forming in the local music scene, which laid the foundation for my growth as an artist. These early experiences helped launch my career as a nationally touring singer-songwriter and member of Dusty Heart. I’ve since per­formed extensively across the U.S. and internationally, while maintaining strong ties to the Twin Cit­ies music community. Since returning to the North Shore, I co-di­rected music produc­tion for the annual Unplugged concerts at North House Folk School, which fea­tured several Gram­my-winning artists, and have stayed deep­ly connected to the community through WTIP and other cre­ative collaborations.

Journalist and writer Joe Friedrichs lives near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in north­eastern Minnesota. An environmental and outdoor writer, he was recognized with an honorable mention for Journalist of the Year by the Minnesota Society of Profession­al Journalists in 2023. In 2024, Friedrichs founded Paddle and Portage, a digital me­dia company focused on the Boundary Wa­ters. He also co-hosts The Shore Thing Pod­cast with fellow jour­nalist Steve Fernlund.