Extra, Extra! Read all about it!
Welcome, Jetta Cruse, to the Midwest Musicians Collective Advisory Council!
March 18, 2025
We are honored to welcome Jetta Cruse to our Advisory Council! As the founder of Adaptive Arts, Jetta has dedicated her career to making the arts accessible to students of all abilities. Her passion for music education, combined with her innovative approach to teaching, aligns perfectly with our mission to provide musical opportunities for all.
With over 30 years of experience as a professional musician, including her beloved work with Jetta and the Jellybeans and The Jetta Cruse Band, Jetta brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and advocacy to our organization. Her commitment to inclusivity in the arts will be invaluable as we continue to expand our programs and reach more aspiring musicians.
We are excited to have her expertise and vision guiding our efforts to make music accessible to every child and community member.
Welcome to the Team, Shawntae Aikens!
March 17, 2025
We’re thrilled to welcome Shawntae Aikens, our new intern from Post University, to the Midwest Musicians' Collective!
Shawntae is driven, motivated, talented, and hardworking - everything we look for in a team member.With passion and dedication to making a difference, Shawntae will be helping us grow our mission of providing music education and access to all. We can’t wait to see the amazing impact she’ll have!
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Thank you for choosing to share your passion and brilliance with The Collective!
Welcome Our First Instructor, Mike Davis!
March 13, 2025
Midwest Musicians’ Collective is thrilled to welcome Mike Davis as our first official instructor! Mike will be assisting The Collective by providing a series of recorded lessons for beginner, intermediate, and advanced guitar players. With over 30 years of performance experience and more than 20 years of teaching, Mike brings an incredible depth of knowledge to our program. He holds a Bachelor’s in Classical Guitar from Indiana University South Bend and an associate’s in jazz Guitar from Southwestern Michigan College. As an instructor at Southwestern Michigan College and Bethel College, as well as a session guitarist for a Grammy-winning producer, Mike has helped countless students - ranging from beginners to professional musicians - reach their full potential.
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Thank you for sharing your talent and expertise with the kiddos at The Collective, Mike!!
Elkhart, Indiana – Midwest Musicians’ Collective is thrilled to welcome Katie Craft as its new Executive Director. With a strong background in youth and family services, Craft brings leadership and innovation to advance the organization’s mission.
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March 13, 2025
Midwest Musicians’ Collective Names Katie Craft as Executive Director
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Founded as a nonprofit in 2023 by Jimi Lovitt, the Midwest Musicians’ Collective was created to provide youth with access to instruments and music education, regardless of financial circumstances. Lovitt, formerly CEO, has transitioned to the Board of Directors to focus on his for-profit business, Midwest Musicians’ Co-Op, while remaining the Collective’s primary supporter and donor.
Craft has spent her career connecting families with critical resources, most recently serving as Director of Programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters Southern Lake Michigan Region, where she led a major structural expansion and implemented technology-driven improvements. While not professionally trained in music, she is a lifelong musician passionate about its transformative power.
"Music is an incredible tool for self-expression and healing," Craft said. "I’m honored to lead Midwest Musicians’ Collective and expand access to music education and instruments for all youth."
Board Chair, Teresa Clifford shared, "From the beginning of our journey in 2023, we knew the importance of building a Board of Directors that truly believes in our mission. After thoughtful consideration, we assembled a dedicated team and appointed Katie as Board Chair. With Katie’s recent transition to Executive Director - bringing her experience working with youth and her deep passion for music - we are confident that we will achieve great things, expand our impact, and ensure that all young people have access to the transformative power of music."
Both Midwest Musicians’ Collective and Midwest Musicians’ Co-Op will be relocating to Hart City Flea Market at 2301 Nappanee St., SR 19 Elkhart, IN in the near future. Patrons are encouraged to call 574-850-5223 or check social media for updates before visiting.