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Our Mission
To be an advocate for area youth in the performing arts and to create awareness of the power of the arts to enhance self esteem, to increase understanding of others, and to improve academic performance.

















PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

 

Bluebird Foundation Announces First Scholarship Recipients

 

Duluth MN…… Three area high school students are the first scholarship recipients from the Bluebird Foundation it was announced today at a reception at the Radisson Duluth Hotel. Corey Reilly, Emily Ballard, and Rebecca Lund will each receive $500 to be used for camps/workshops this summer.

Corey Reilly, a 9th grade student at Denfeld H.S. in Duluth, is the recipient of the John D. Munsell Theater Award. The award is named after the late John D. Munsell who was the director of theater at UW Superior for over 25 years and directed over 70 theatrical productions including 25 musicals, and a touring theatre program that gave 400 performances in over 60 communities during a 10-year period. He performed in countless plays, commercials, and professional appearances.

Cathy Fank, the UWS theater faculty member hired to replace Munsell, said it was "daunting" to follow Munsell's act. "He was such a dynamic, inspirational and well-respected acting and directing teacher, so I was stepping into big shoes," she said, pointing out that a number of Munsell's former students are now on the theater faculty at area colleges and active in the local theater scene.

Rebecca Lund, a 10th grade student at Cloquet High School, is the recipient of the C.M. “Bud” Schultz Music Award. Schultz attended University of Michigan, finishing his education and Masters upon graduation from UMD after the war. His first teaching job was in Richland WA, then to Stephen MN, before moving back to Duluth and being the band director at West Junior High School in Duluth until it closed.

Schultz spent his last years teaching at Ordean before retiring in 1987. He also taught at UWS, UMD and the College of St. Scholastica. Schultz directed the Community Schools band and the Union Band as well as his church choir. 

Bluebird Foundation President Tracy Lundeen credits Schultz for keeping him on track with his music and his life during junior high school. “Bud believed in me and was really one of the key people I can look back at in my life and say made a huge difference. When it came time to name a music award, there was no other name to consider in my opinion. I loved that man,” said Lundeen.

Emily Ballard, a 10th grade home schooled student who is also attending PSEO classes at UMD, is the recipient of the Rose Mary Harmeier Hoene Dance Award. Harmeier Hoene is the late mother of Bluebird Foundation Board Member Rose Hoene.

Rose Mary Harmeier Hoene studied dance at New York University and Colorado College under such great modern dancers as Hanya Holmes and Martha Graham. In her first teaching job at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, Hoene helped to design the UMD's first dance studio at the new campus. She owned and operated her own dance studio and choreographed, performed, and provided performers and other support, for countless dance and theatrical productions for the Duluth Playhouse, Junior League Fundraisers, UMD, UWS, and Duluth East High School to name a few. She was also an active supporter and participant in the Duluth International Folk Festival for many years and volunteered countless hours sharing her love for dance with many area organizations. 

Today’s awards mark the beginning of what the Bluebird Foundation Board hopes will be the beginning of helping many area students pursue their passion for the arts. The foundations mission statement is: To be an advocate for area youth in the performing arts and to create awareness of the power of the arts to enhance self-esteem, to increase understanding of others, and to improve academic performance.

The inspiration for the Bluebird Foundation came from Audrey Lundeen, late mother of Tracy Lundeen, who he solely credits for giving him the gift of music and the arts. “She introduced us to the Bluebird of Happiness when we were very young. For the Bluebird Foundation there is no better place to start than with kids. Giving kids the gift of the arts is truly a gift that will last a lifetime, a gift of calm during storms and peace during times of troubles. The arts are truly a gift that will always keep on giving,” he states.

The Bluebird Foundation is a Minnesota Corporation that has filed for nonprofit status under 501 (c)(3) to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

For additional information contact Tracy Lundeen at 218-727-1177.