Foundry Hall board Archives

Hi! In addition to being Foundry Hall’s board president, booking contact, grant writer, Tunebugs, Guitar Club and Teen Open Mic volunteer, school project coordinator and Riverfront Concert Series project manager, I am also the website manager, which is why I’m writing in the first person.

I got involved at Foundry Hall shortly after my family moved to the area for my husband’s job. It was a magical place with fantastic, small concert opportunities, community services and a great bunch of people holding it all together. I started a preschool music program in the old building from scratch because my son was 4 at the time and I was getting more and more into playing music. Shortly after that started I was asked to join the board and that began my now 6 year journey of learning what I need to learn to keep this boat afloat through the financial accounting, reporting and legal aspects of being a 501(c)3 non-profit, losing our home of 7 years, renting space and giving up on that space, writing grants, working through fundraising strategies, contract writing, developing numerous relationships through collaborations, website design, marketing and developing strong arm and back muscles for lugging sound equipment everywhere.

As a volunteer doing all of this I often have to reset my priorities and weigh the amount of work versus my own commitment. I could not do all that I do without the support of the other FH board members and volunteers. I am so grateful and inspired to see other people taking on tasks, creating new opportunities and doing such great work within the organization. I really believe there is tremendous potential in this community and invite everyone to join us to grow, learn, add to the community building that we are doing through art and music.

Erica Huizenga has been part of Foundry Hall as a participant and volunteer since 2014. She closed out the last Open Mic in the Red Room (2014) and attended the first Open Mic at the BRT (downstairs). After becoming friends with FH director Lotte Resek, and FH founder, Andru Bemis, she was inspired to learn the ukulele and grow as a musician and performer. Erica continues to write and perform original music with her husband, Doug at Foundry Hall’s Open Mic.

Three years ago, Erica became more involved in volunteering for Foundry Hall through Rhythm on the River, a FREE, outdoor, music festival for the South Haven community. She now sits on the ROTR committee and coordinates this event. Erica is currently on on the Foundry Hall board and supports this non-profit in its efforts to “Pursue Happiness through music and art!”

Erica states “I am grateful for the relationships my family and I have formed with a generous and supportive community of people thanks to Foundry Hall”. When Erica isn’t planning Rhythm on the River or rehearsing an original on the uke, she is an Emergency Room Registered Nurse of almost 20 years, a wife and mother of two talented kids. She is also a hobby farmer and loves to hike with her dog, Alice. Contact Erica if you are interested in learning more about Foundry Hall’s open mic or if you want to volunteer for Rhythm on the River!