RPM's Voice Box Sessions features established and emerging singer-songwriters and musicians. The Voice Box Sessions provide a warm and supportive environment for established and emerging artists of all ages performing original work. Each Voice Box Session features a professional singer-songwriter who acts as the host of the show. Performances by our Voice Box Session student participants are interspersed througout the performance as well as interviews with our featured performer. A limited number of in person tickets will be sold to our summer concerts. The concerts will also be streamed. We ask that you "pay what you can"
Featuring Jana Nyberg and Mike Irish
Jana Nyberg is a vocalist, flautist and band director from Minneapolis, MN. She appeared on Season 10 of American Idol, and has released four full-length albums to date.
Known for her expressive and soulful approach, she effortlessly shifts between genres. A sought-after performer and recording artist, Nyberg has collaborated with Gigamesh, The Adam Meckler Orchestra, Jason Peterson DeLaire (Michael Bolton), Unus, Rass Kwame and others. On stage, she brings a vibrancy and passion that is infectious and ignites her audiences.
Michael Irish, former Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan Tech University, has a broad background in Jazz Studies as both an educator and performer. He holds a B.M.E. from Northern Michigan University and an M.M.E. from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point with a thesis in Jazz Studies. Prior to his appointment at Michigan Tech, Mr. Irish taught in the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools and for eight years was the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.
As a jazz guitarist, Mr. Irish has performed with Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Dizzy Gillespie, Rob McConnell, Don Ellis, Steve Houghton, and Frank Mantooth, among others. In the area of popular music, he has worked with Bob Hope, Robert Goulet, Rich Little, Carol Lawrence, and Rodney Dangerfield.
