Tucson Folk Festival
Roger Mikulas Young Artist Showcase
April 5-6, 2025
WILDFLOWER STAGE at Jacome Plaza
The Young Artist Stage is an annual showcase at the Tucson Folk Festival open to anyone 18 years or younger at the time of the Festival. A great opportunity for young, up-and-coming musicians, the showcase is a fun and welcoming environment that offers a chance to gain performance experience on a professional stage at a popular community event! The tradition is named in honor of Roger Mikulas, who was a strong supporter and one of the founders of the Young Artist Stage in 2006. Organized today by Board Member Ron Pandy, the showcase continues to showcase some of Tucson’s youngest and most promising musicians.
It is important for a Folk Festival to have a program for young musicians designed for growth and self-discovery. Our aim is to nurture musicians in the community and provide career stepping stones so they may one day lend their voices to inspire a younger generation.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 5, 2025
| 12:00 PM | Jam Pak |
| 1:00 PM | Songwriter Finalists: Annie Anna, Gabrielle Pietrangelo, Jon Frailey, Lara Ruggles |
| 2:00 PM | Songwriter Finalists: Arielle Silver, Francis Larson, Ryan David Orr, The Brothers Reed |
| 3:00 PM | Desert Museum Family Band Show |
| 4:00 PM | Ayla White |
| 4:30 PM | Blue Genes & “603” |
| 5:00 PM | Sydney Swanson |
| 5:30 PM | Gwen Ryan |
| 6:00 PM | Kaia & Micah |
Sunday, April 6, 2025
| 11:30 AM | Jam Pak |
| 12:15 PM | Cheers to 40 Years – Folk Festival Legacy Stories with our Founders |
| 1:00 PM | Sienna Rea |
| 1:30 PM | Aubrey Hadley |
| 2:00 PM | Bruce Phillips Family Show |
| 3:00 PM | Would Bees (Jam Pak) |
| 3:30 PM | Stella Eftekar |
| 4:00 PM | Mikaela Milczarek |
| 4:30 PM | MacKenzie Davis |
| 5:00 PM | Claire Wertenberger |
| 5:30 PM | Mikayla Williams |
| 6:00 PM | Ayla Moreno |
FAMILY SHOW HEADLINER
DESERT MUSEUM FAMILY BAND
Saturday April 5, 3:00 PM
Tucson Folk Festival Wildflower Stage!
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum teams up with local musicians for a dynamic nature-themed jam! Come on a musical journey as we celebrate what makes our Sonoran Desert home such a special place. Sing, dance, & learn with original music in English & Spanish performed by Education Specialist, Michelle Constanza Miner – featuring Syndenn Sweet (Hanner House Records), Brother Bear Eli (Mr. Nature’s Music Garden), and a Desert Museum dancing saguaro. Now that’s edutainment!
Bruce Philips Family Show
Sunday April 6, 2:00 PM
Tucson Folk Festival Wildflower Stage!
Bruce Phillips is back! After playing the family show for the 20th anniversary of the Tucson Folk Festival, he’s returning to help celebrate the big 4-0! A beloved children’s musician, educator, entertainer, and songwriter, Bruce has spent over 30 years bringing joy to kids (and the grown-ups who love them) from coast to coast. Whether strumming a silly song, sparking imaginations, or getting little feet dancing, Bruce makes music fun for the whole family. Don’t miss his special performance as we honor the legacy of the Tucson Folk Festival—past, present, and future!
Our Heritage
Join us as we celebrate the rich history of the Tucson Folk Festival with a special 40th Anniversary Panel Discussion! From its humble beginnings as a two-stage festival to the vibrant six-stage event it is today, the Festival has grown and thrived thanks to the dedication of countless volunteers, musicians, and supporters.
This reunion will feature some key people who helped shape the Festival in its early years. They’ll share their stories, memories, and insights into how the Festival weathered challenges and remained a cherished tradition for four decades. It’s a chance to reflect on the journey, celebrate the music, and look ahead to the future of this incredible community event.
YOUNG ARTIST BIOS
Aubrey Hadley
Aubrey is an 11-year-old young artist who has been playing acoustic guitar and singing since she was six. A sixth grader at Tanque Verde Elementary School, she plays folk-style acoustic guitar, incorporating strumming and three-finger picking. She shared her love of guitar and folk music with her grandfather, who introduced her to the instrument.
Ayla Moreno
Ayla started playing piano and violin at age three. She has been invited to perform at venues across the USA, Europe, and Japan, including Carnegie Hall, the Chopin Festival in Poland, and the Tucson Folk Festival.
Ayla’s first solo performance was at age six, and since then, she has played with many orchestras in Arizona and Europe. She recently recorded an album with Orchestra Manhattan and has won top prizes in national and international competitions, including the Chopin International Competition (Connecticut), the Krystian Tkaczewski International Piano Competition (Poland), and the WPTA Spain International Piano Competition.
Ayla White
I’m 15 and a self-taught guitarist, inspired by musicians like Whiskey Myers, First Aid Kit, Taylor Swift, Goose, and Turnpike Troubadours, spanning many genres! I’ve been playing and singing for three years, covering pop, Americana, and country songs. I travel a lot with my family, and when I’m not doing schoolwork (technically all homework—I’m homeschooled!), I’m either outside or playing music. Hope to see you at this year’s Folk Festival!
Blue Genes
Blue Genes is a six-member bluegrass band of young musicians who grew up in Jam Pak and now perform at festivals and community events. This charming band won the Bluegrass Band Contest at the 2024 Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival and continues to win the hearts of the bluegrass community. More info: www.jampak.org
Claire Wertenberger
Claire Wertenberger is a freshman at Tucson High and a budding singer-songwriter studying piano and voice with local musician Gabrielle Pietrangelo. Claire has been singing since she was a baby—she could carry a tune even before she had teeth! The daughter of singer and educator Sara Gascho, Claire grew up in a musical family and is now working on her first studio release of original songs
Gwen Ryan
At 14, Gwen Ryan is excited to return to the Young Performer Stage at the Tucson Folk Festival for her fourth year. A passionate guitarist, keyboardist, arranger, and singer, Gwen has been honing her skills under the mentorship of Shawn at Sonoran Music Academy since age five. A fan of Taylor Swift, Boygenius, and Billie Eilish, she continually explores new genres, showcasing her diverse musical style.
Jam Pak
With nearly 30 years performing and teaching in the bluegrass world of Arizona, many folks know the story of Jam Pak. Somehow, some way, enfolded in the love of music, community, food, travel, and love itself, this unique band of all ages, races, and walks of life makes bluegrass music. In the home of Anni Beach of Chandler, they teach each other, gather twice a week, practice, dance, entertain, and at the center, maintain the singular goal to make themselves and others happy with their music.
Kaia and Micah
This sibling duo brings a stripped-down, intimate vibe to popular songs, allowing listeners to experience the music in a new, personal way. Kaia and Micah’s repertoire spans multiple decades, featuring songs from legendary artists like The Beatles and Tracy Chapman, as well as modern hits by Ed Sheeran, One Republic, and Taylor Swift.
Mackenzie Davis
Mackenzie Davis is a guitarist, singer, athlete, and senior at Tucson High School. Inspired by indie pop artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Beabadoobee, her love for guitar and singing started with watching her grandfather play. Now, she plays that very same guitar and has studied with local musician Gabrielle Pietrangelo for five years.
Mikaela Milczarek
Mikaela Milczarek is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist, currently in her last year at Tucson High. A longtime student of Gabrielle Pietrangelo, she has recently studied guitar with Ryan Green. Inspired by artists like Jeff Buckley and Adrianne Lenker, Mikaela is currently working on her first EP of jazz-influenced indie folk.
Mikayla Williams
Mikayla Williams is a singer-songwriter from Tucson, Arizona. She has been writing songs since age 12 and performing since 13, playing both covers and originals. More info: www.mikaylawilliamsmusic.com
Sienna Rea
Sienna is a 14-year-old musician, songwriter, and singer. She has graced stages in Tucson, such as Monterey Court, Reid Park Zoo Lights, Brother John’s, and more. She recently opened for Heather Hardy at a Blue’s Foundation Event. Sienna competed in 2024 in Alice Cooper’s “Proof Is In the Pudding” competition, going through three rounds of competition. She plans to compete again this year. Sienna works with Vocal Coach Steff Koeppen, Guitar Instructor Shawn Kebler, and Live Performance Coach Virginia Cannon.
Stella Eftekar
Stella Eftekar, 13, has composed nearly 200 original songs. Originally from Los Angeles, she moved to Tucson to pursue her love of horses and be closer to family. A passionate storyteller, Stella’s music blends lyrical poetry with narrative songwriting, inspired by her experiences in Tucson during COVID. The Tucson Folk Festival marks her debut sharing her heartfelt songs with a diverse audience. More info: www.stellasongs.com
Sydney Swanson
Sydney Swanson is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter who plays piano and guitar. She showed an early ear for music at six when her grandmother gave her a Roland electric piano. After starting piano and vocal lessons, Sydney wrote her first song and performed it at age nine. She has since performed throughout Arizona, playing indie pop, folk, and classic rock. More info: www.sydney-swanson.com
Would Bees
The Would Bees is Jam Pak’s youngest and perhaps hardest-working band, led by Thomas Leon, Alan Moreno, Nazarena Delgado, and Paul Lopez. These young musicians are learning their instruments and singing the heart of bluegrass traditional music. Dedicated to their craft, they arrange their own music while embracing the Servant-Leader philosophy, sharing their knowledge with younger Jam Pak members.
“603”
“603” is a small but ambitious band within Jam Pak, working to establish themselves in the traditional bluegrass world. Completely self-led, they can carry an entire set on their own, demonstrating impressive dedication to their craft. More info: www.jampak.org
History
ROGER MIKULAS: Roger Mikulas was a strong supporter and one of the originators of the Young Artist Stage that began in 2006 at the Tucson Folk Festival. He also helped organize and participated in a Music in the Schools Band. The band played for elementary school children in Tucson, introducing them to folk instruments and folk music. Unfortunately, Roger fell and suffered a serious injury while setting up the Young Artist Stage and never fully recovered. After this happened, he set up the Mikulas Musicians Fund, which lends assistance to Tucson musicians who have health problems that interfere with their ability to play music. He passed away in 2010. However, he had a larger-than-life spirit that is still remembered and still inspires the provision and teaching of folk music for young people.