Dr. Nadia Judith Bijaoui, Medical Board of California Certified Research Psychoanalyst.

Melanie Erickson has been known as the helpful fixer, teacher, creator - as owner of the Bead Co in downtown Sioux Falls from 2000 to 2019- while collaborating as a Community Education Instructor for most of those years. Melanie is grateful to continue sharing decades of beading experience, jewelry design, and hands on experience teaching beading and jewelry technique classes, custom orders and repairs, and parties locally; as she starts new life chapters within Community Ed helping organize fellow instructors' passions. Nature fires up her soul and jewelry creations and she loves to grab the kayak and head to the lake for peaceful inspiration.

When I was young I did yoga with my mother on the beach, then I did yoga stretching before and after my dance performances for many years. I incorporated yoga with my dance students to warm them up and cool them down. Finally, I took training and achieved all the levels of YogaFit to become certified. Yoga has always been a lasting and enduring part of my life. Yoga gives me joy and peace. I hope to share this deep and abiding satisfaction with all my students.

Hi ,I'm Eileen Halverson, the granddaughter of Norwegian immigrants, who homesteaded in NE SD. Through the guidance of my paternal grandmother, 4-H and Home Economics classes, I learned many of the heritage skills before becoming "The Rosemaling Lady". I happily received a SD Arts grant for the study of the Hallingdal style in 2021. I have also been fortunate to travel to Norway several times. 

When I am not seeking to learn more in depth the knowledge of the styles of Rosemaling, I enjoy teaching as a bridge to pass on my knowledge of the past to future generations as a way of keeping cultural treasurers.

In my spare time with family and friends, I weave new memories ----- a thread that binds us together, as shared heritage skills. May I continue to inspire and nurture creativity in this art form.

Published poet, author, and proprietor of 221 Melsted Place Bed and Breakfast Inn, Chef Lonnette Kelley will share stories from her victorian themed bed and breakfast and the experience and tips she has learned over the years ... from tea parties to Victorian dinners and brushes with dignitaries. Join your friends and come for an interesting delectable evening. She loves sharing her Victorian all-season spa, torchlight croquet, evening bonfires, pumpkin carriage rides, fresh garden produce, berry picking, bird watching, star gazing, special event receptions, and small weddings. Lonette opened her Bed & Breakfast 30 years ago since has published her custom cookbook titled My Signature Dish.

Meet Lonnette: https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2020/08/12/someone-you-should-know-woman-writes-letters-to-bring-people-comfort-during-pandemic/

I grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota born in 1995. From a young age I was attracted to the idea of creating art from different mediums. It wasn't until my senior year of high school where I found my passion for ceramics. In 2013, I graduated from Roosevelt High School and began cooking at a restaurant in Sioux Falls. On weekdays I would cook, but when the weekend came I was volunteering at a local ceramic workshop in the Washington Pavilion.

My inspiration derives from the environment around me. Living in South Dakota my whole life has opened my eyes to the vast amount of natural resources just below my feet. Integrating the Earth with my own work truly gives me a better respect for my surroundings.

Mark Koterwski graduated from Gallaudet University in 1989. Mark has worked for Communication Service for the Deaf for almost 25 years as a Community Support Specialist. Mark has also worked in following areas: Community Support, Interpreting Mentor Program, Employment Services, American Sign Language Instructor, Advocacy, and Communication Assistance. Mark has worked with deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing people with communication barriers for over 30 years in the states of Maryland, Washington D.C., Illinois, California, and South Dakota.

I first discovered working with glass when I was in high school and have loved it ever since. I enjoy working with all kinds of glass and am always playing with a new project. It's always exciting to learn how to make new glass designs and sharing them with friends. My inspiration is gathered from my family, friends, and everything around me.

Daughters of Norway - Borghild Dahl Lodge #54 - Sioux Falls

Versed and skilled in tradition passed down through generations, the Daughters of Norway Group offers access to a wealth of resources, opportunities, and camaraderie as we journey together to celebrate our shared heritage.

Whether you're a proud descendant of Norwegian immigrants or simply have an interest in Scandinavian culture (or just love that lefse and some Uff Da) we welcome you to join us in cooking or culture classes!

Neil Peterson has been singing and playing music his entire life. In addition to being a band, choir and orchestra director, he has been a music director at several churches and has taught individual lessons on any musical instrument for over a decade! A composer and performer, Neil loves helping students learn, play and sing their favorite songs they hear on the radio, youtube or their personal music collection.

Stephanie is a graduate of Rapid City Stevens High School and Augustana University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She has eight years of political experience in Washington, DC where she worked on Capitol Hill for former Senator Tom Daschle.

Moving home to South Dakota in 2014 with her husband and two teenage sons has allowed Stephanie to reconnect with her roots and her passions. Last year, she founded Fruit of the Coop, LLC, a wholesale egg business, on their farm near the Big Sioux River and Brandon, South Dakota. In addition to selling eggs from her own flock of heritage chickens, she sources eggs from other small flocks within the Sioux Empire. All the chickens are pasture-raised on natural grains and forage, which gives the yolks of their eggs a deep golden color and strong shells. You can find her eggs at Cherry Rock Farm and Glory Garden (a local CSA) and served at Josiah's, Breadico and Morrie's Steakhouse. Stephanie believes in bringing local food to Sioux Falls area establishments and helping to revitalize small and mid-level agriculture in rural economies and communities. She also serves on the board for Dakota Rural Action and is active in DRA's local chapter, Homegrown Sioux Empire.

Sandrine, originally from France, relocated to the United States with her family in 2010. Trained as a neuro-psychologist, she made the choice to temporarily set aside her career, dedicating herself to raising her four daughters while fully immersing in American culture. Her husband, a brain researcher, led their family through various locations, including Baltimore, MD, (John Hopkins university) and Durham, NC (Duke university), before establishing roots in Sioux Falls, SD, in 2019. Sandrine’s life is all about experiencing and providing nourishment and beauty through simple daily practices such as walking in nature, dancing, crafting a delicious meal, or connecting with others, away from technology. In 2022, she published a book titled Simply French in America recounting her culinary journey from France to the US. Her fervent commitment lies in empowering families to redirect their time and energy back into the heart of their homes—the kitchen. She founded the Nourish Collective in 2024, whose mission is to cultivate a caring and inclusive community where individuals can enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through a variety of nourishing practices.

My name is Jesse Adams and I am originally from the Bemidji area in Northern Minnesota, and moved to Sioux Falls six years ago. Up north I ran a Dojang (training gym) for nearly ten years before moving to the Sioux Falls area to support my wife's career. I feel very fortunate to be able to continue offering Kumdo/Kendo classes to the great people in our region! My training began nearly sixteen years ago, during which I have enjoyed the opportunity of traveling overseas on a number of occasions. I believe strongly in both the physical and emotional benefits of martial arts practice! The study of the sword specifically is an excellent method of pursuing a deeper understanding of ourselves while enjoying being active. I look forward to seeing you in class!

Master Troy Vink 

Sioux Falls Taekwondo in Action:    https://youtu.be/f_ACBUkxtMg

I started Taekwondo when I was 14 yrs. old and now I am forty____ ... I can let you do the math. I obviously have a love and passion for this! I am a 5th degree black belt and have been teaching for over 25 years now. Over 15 years have now been with Community Education in Sioux Falls. I have the pleasure of teaching students the aspects of Respect, Confidence, and Discipline. I cannot think of many things in my life that has been more gratifying than the companionship and connection that I have through this experience.

The Siouxland Woodturner's (SWT) is a local chapter of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). The AAW is an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the woodturning craft. Our mission is to provide information, education, a meeting place, and an effective organization for all who are interested in turning wood.