Grand Rapids Federation of Musicians

President: Bennie Keys

Bennie Keys is a jazz & pop drummer and has been a member of Local 56 since 1989. He was elected to the Local 56 Executive Board, later becoming the Vice President, and in 2018 was elected President. He has been  on the Diversity Council for the American Federation of Musicians for several years. If you would like to contact him, his number is 813-0753, E-mail him at bkeys@hopenetwork.org.
 

Secretary / Treasurer: Andrea Giba

Andrea Giba began her stint as Secretary/Treasurer in January, 2018. She knew she wanted to play the saxophone when she picked it up in fourth grade. Throughout her elementary and high school years, she was active in the concert band, the jazz band, the marching band, the concert choir, and even learned other instruments, like the trumpet, trombone, clarinet, and flute, and earned many medals during competitions. She also organized a big-band era cover band that played for reunions, county fairs, etc. After her senior year, she auditioned for and was selected to represent the United States in Europe with America's Youth in concert, which included playing at the Kennedy Center and the great Carnegie Hall. She now plays her saxophone at her church and at other venues like the GR Festival Of the Arts and with other exciting groups. Aside from all the music, Andrea has worked for the Space Shuttle Program at Cape Canaveral, has a green belt in Karate, and also has a Solo Pilot's License.

Board Member: Kevin Flannery

In 1976, Kevin M. Flannery moved to Grand Rapids from Lafayette, Louisiana, to join the double bass section in the Grand Rapids Symphony. In Grand Rapids, Kevin also worked for Steven D. Reiley at the Guarneri Violin Shop in violin family repair and set-up.

In 1981, Kevin started Flannery Music Company, specializing in lower string work. Since 1996, he has been engaging in repair, restoration, and making commissioned copies of existing instruments. Unique instrument commissions are of interest to him, including early stringed instruments, 6 and 7 string gambas, and 5 and 6 string violones. Kevin's focus is on attention to detail and striving for constant quality improvement.

In 2014, Kevin and Matthew Noykos started Grand Rapids Violins, LLC, a full-service violin shop.

Board Member: Christina Fong

Christina Fong was elected to the Board of Directors for Local 56 in January 2017.
A member of the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Local 56 since 1988, Fong is currently Associate Concertmaster and plays in the Symphony’s Calder Quintet, which tours western Michigan giving civic and educational concerts. From 1990 to 2002 Fong served as an adjunct instructor of violin at Grand Valley State University.

 Michigan resident Christina Fong is a leading performer of new music on the violin and viola. Fong’s series of recordings on OgreOgress, mostly world premieres, include several of Cage’s final works (the ‘number pieces’ One6, One10, Two4, Four, Twenty-Three and Twenty-Six with Twenty-Eight & Twenty-Nine), Feldman’s complete violin, viola and piano works, his Violin and String Quartet and three early quartets, Hovhaness’s published works for violin, viola and keyboard and three of his concertos with strings, several Schoenberg string works and fragments, Alvear’s Fuerzas for viola and string quartets by Beardsley, Toub, Kotlowy and Prokop. The diverse group of artists in collaboration include sitarist Gaurav Mazumdar, keyboardist Arved Ashby, cellist Karen Krummel, percussionist Glenn Freeman, pianist Paul Hersey, the Prague Winds, shō player Tamami Tono, the Rangzen Quartet & Strings, conductor Rastislav Štúr and the Slovak Philharmonic.

Fong has bachelor's and master's degrees from Northwestern University, where she graduated Pi Kappa Lambda and was awarded the honorary title “Eckstein Scholar.” Her principle violin teachers were Blair Milton, Myron Kartman and Donna Schaff. She studied orchestral music with Samuel Magad, Rubin Gonzales, Francis Akos, Charlie Pikler, Blair Milton and Edgar Muenzer and received chamber music coaching from Gerardo Ribiero, Donald Owens and Ray Still. Fong has held positions with the Florida Philharmonic and Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In 2010 Fong was recipient of a Fulbright Hayes grant and served as a US cultural representative in Minsk, Belarus where she performed a new music concert with the Belarus Philharmonic and gave master classes at the Belarus State Academy of Music.

Board Member: Charles C. Johnson

Minister Charles Christopher Johnson, born February 7 1970.  He graduated from Muskegon High School in 1988 and received a scholarship to attend Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Later, Minister Johnson transferred to the "School of Music" at the University of Memphis. While in Memphis, he partnered in ministry under the leadership of Bishop Lee Ward of Greater Harvest COGIC.  

Minister Johnson is a registered member of the Grand Rapids Musicians Union Local-56 and AFL-CIO. He is registered as a free-lance affiliate member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Science (NARAS) of the Grammy Association where he appears on 9 recording projects ranging from Gospel, Contemplative Worship and Jazz. Charles is a classical jazz bassist and has performed with many music masters including ten time Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin, nine-time Grammy winner Janis Siegel of the Manhattan Transfer, and Internationally known jazz vocalist Mark Murphy -noted folk singer / songwriter.  As a Production Manager for thr Best of Jazz & Savoir Faire Productions Charles has produced shows for jazz saxophonist Art Porter Jr. and Joe Sample among others.

When transferring to Memphis, Charles furthered his studies in Music Performance, Artist Development, and Pre-Law Music Business. Charles hopes to foster music innovation and create jazz inspired music that transcends a particular genre. Something that's refreshing and universal.  

Board Member: Fred Mitchell

Fred Mitchell is a bassist, born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI and is retired from work in mortuary services. He is a bass guitarist and vocalist, having played with bands of all musical styles. He was a member local bands Azz Izz, and Kaptain Krunch & the Funky Bunch, playing through the US and playing as opening act for many popular recording groups. He continues to play with local bands and with his church band, called Reflections of a Journey. His love of music and desire to be of service to area musicians led him to join the AFM/Local 56 in 2017, and become a Board Member in 2020.