We The People Concert | May 4, 2025

Lori Dokken

https://loridokken.com
Over the past four and a half decades, Lori has performed at every major venue in the Twin Cities from The Dakota to The Guthrie to The Ordway. A sought-after accompanist, she is also a successful concert producer, educator, vocal coach, arranger, and vocalist. Currently the Music Director at Unity Minneapolis, she has also been the MD for everything from ensembles at McNally Smith College of Music to acts at the Bryant Lake Bowl and was the Music Director for Disenchanted during its successful run at The Illusion Theatre in November 2014. She has produced headline shows for cruise ships as well as local cabaret acts and has opened for legends like Eartha Kitt, Carole King and Tony Bennett. Lori has sung backups for Kenny Loggins and shared the stage with Beatrice Arthur. Her diverse production credits include sold out shows at The Hopkin’s Center for the Arts, The Dakota Jazz Club, The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Crooners Lounge and Supper Club and many local concert venues.

She partnered with The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in 2016 to produce “Painting Joni” – a concert featuring the music of Joni Mitchell for which she was also the Musical Director, Arranger and one of the featured performers. In 2019 she received a grant from The Knight Foundation which enabled her to present another successful concert event featuring music by the twenty-one of the amazing female vocalists of the 1960s. Titled Women on the Moon, this musical production featured some of the finest female artists of the Twin Cities’ music community, such as: Judi Vinar, Ginger Commodore, Yolande Bruce, Joyann Parker, Rachel Holder, Katie Gearty and Anna Christy.

She was the Entertainment Producer for five years for an HIV/AIDS fund raiser called “Healing of the Hearts” which netted over $500,000 in proceeds for The Aliveness Project and also founded and produced a charity golf tournament for ten years that raised close to $250,000 for One Heartland.

The first half of Lori Dokken’s 40+ year career in the music industry was spent working alone a lot … in cabarets, piano bars and hosting open mics.  The second half has focused more on being a player, producer and music director for many sold out, innovative and creative presentations focused on women in the music industry over the past 100 years.

Ginger Commodore

https://gingercommodore.com
Ginger has been a member of the Twin Cities music scene for many years.  Beginning her musical career, she joined the three-time Grammy Award sinning Sounds of Blackness, touring across the United States and opening shows for The Jackson Five, Roberta Flack and The Pointer Sisters.  She was instrumental in ministering, performing and recording with Sam David and The Twin Cities Gospel Ensemble and the JD Steele singers.  Ginger is an original member of the local female group “Women Who Cook.”

Her theatrical credits include: The World Premiere of DEATH IN THE FAILY with th innesota Oera Company, SELMA and BLACK NATIVITY at the Penumbra Theatre /Company, BLACK BELTS at The Mixed Blood Theatre, STAMPING, SHOUTING & SINGING HOME at The Children’s Theatre Company, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ at Hey City Theater, HAIRSPRAY at The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, THE COLOR PURPLE at Park Square Theatre and CAPITOL PROJECT at Wunderlust Theater. She’s been a featured soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra Pops Series at Orchestra Hall with Doc Severenson.

Ginger is a founding member of the local jazz ensemble, Moore By Four, who toured the United States performing at Colleges and Universities, concert halls and coliseums and renown Jazz Festials. Ginger also toured England, Scotland and Wales joining Judy Craig Mann of the 60s girl group, The Chiffons.  You will find Ginger currently appearing at local jazz clubs with her own trio of musicians, as Ginger Commodore & GCQ.

Judi Vinar

https://www.judivinar.com

Judi Vinar has been singing since the age of four and began her professional career in 1983.  Her initial focus was in the areas of folk, country, musical theatre and opera and early on in her career she branched out to explore jazz, pop, r and b, rock, gospel … and now she pretty much covers any style or genre.

In 1987, Judi moved to the Twin Cities and has developed long term musical relationships with many of the Twin Cities finest:  Lori Dokken, “The Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra”, “St. Croix Jazz Orchestra”, “JazzMN Big Band”, “The Girls”, and her own “Judi, Cliff ‘n’ Daves”.

In 1997, Judi began working with singer extraordinaire Bobby McFerrin and joined his a cappella group “Voicestra” in 2001. She has toured the world with Mr. McFerrin in his five-piece a cappella group “Gimme5.”

Now a freelance vocal clinician, Judi gives Master Classes and Clinics on Vocal Improvisation, Efficient Vocal Techniques, Understanding Your Audience, and Ensemble Performance Strategies.  She is a faculty member for “Circlesongs” a 7 day workshop on improvisation with Bobby McFerrin.

Patty Peterson

https://www.pattypeterson.com
Patty Peterson is a world class Jazz/ R&B vocalist, Jazz radio personality, and inspirational speaker. She is a mainstay in the jingle and voice over industry and is an inspiring presenter on the national speaking circuit. In addition to being an award winning vocalist both live and in studio, Patty has hosted radio talk shows, she’s been an actress, a model, appeared in numerous commercial voice-overs and jingles, and has performed the national anthem at several major venues. Patty has performed the national anthem at several major venues. She is also a concert producer for shows like “Memories – The Music of Barbra Streisand,” “The Jazz Women All Stars” and for 25-plus years has produced the Peterson Family Christmas Shows, and Minnesota Jazz Legends for Jazz88 since its inception in 2014.

As a multi-faceted, sought-out talent, Patty Peterson has been a featured speaker for The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, The American Heart Association, Go Red for Women, University of Texas Aortic Symposium, Seagate Technologies, Rotary Clubs, Super Valu, Trane, St. Jude Medical and The Minneapolis Heart Institute.​

​Patty is also the host of her own weekly contemporary jazz show on KBEM 88.5FM

Mary Jane Alm

https://maryjanealm.com
Mary Jane Alm is one of the most beloved and iconic vocalists in the Twin Cities music scene. She has been inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and has been twice inducted into the MidAmerica Hall of Fame. She has been honored with many Minnesota Music Awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year and Artist of the Year.

Mary Jane has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and has performed several times internationally. She has opened concerts for countless national artists such as The Judds, Charlie Daniels, Marie Osmond and Willie Nelson and performed as a backup vocalist for Michael Johnson and David Byrne of The Talking Heads. Her voice can be heard on many “jingles” for national companies including McDonalds, Dairy Queen and General Mills.

Her latest recording project was produced and recorded by legendary sound engineer, Steve Hodge of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis fame.

Rachel Holder

https://www.rachelholdermusic.com
Rachel Holder, a versatile and dynamic singer from St. Paul, Minnesota, has earned acclaim for her ability to blend multiple genres and deliver deeply expressive performances. With a voice that bridges a wide range of styles, Holder has become a prominent figure in the music scene, both as a performer and an educator.

Rachel performs regularly with several esteemed groups, including the Buffalo Function Music Band, Cha Cha Cha, The Reid Kennedy Trio, The Blue Water Kings, and Lori Dokken Productions.  Her exceptional performances are featured at some of the region’s most prestigious venues, such as The Dakota, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Crooners Supper Club, Jazz Central, and Berlin.

Beyond her work as a performer, Rachel is a dedicated educator and choral leader. She teaches contemporary voice at Macalester College, where she imparts her expertise and passion to aspiring vocalists. Her extensive teaching career also includes roles at McNally Smith College of Music, Concordia University, St. Paul Conservatory of Music (SPCM), and St. Paul Conservatory of Performing Arts (SPCPA). Additionally, Rachel serves as the Choir Director at Unity Minneapolis, where she leads and inspires a vibrant community of singers.

Sarah M. Greer

https://www.sarahmgreer.com
Sarah Greer is a Twin Cities-based improvisational vocalist who has “invented” music on local and international stages. She loves performing with other artists, singers and instrumentalists and she has worked with choirs, composers, dancers, and visual and spoken word artists.

Sarah performs regularly in the Twin Cities with a cappella ensemble the Give Get Sistet and jazz quintet BLU-7, as well as guest-ing with a variety of players in other projects and collaborations throughout Minnesota (Anthony Cox’s Riotus N and Jay Young’s Lyric Factory to name a few).

She has received two Artist Initiative Awards by the Minnesota State Arts Board and has a degree in vocal performance and a BSS which includes a concentration in music. Sarah has also studied vocal improvisation for over a decade with Rhiannon (a member of Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra) and with singers from around the world.

One of the greatest things about Sarah is that she is passionate about every person’s right to sing and the power of singing to change the world.

Ellis Delaney

https://www.ellisdelaney.com

There’s just something about Ellis Delaney. At once funny and wise, thoughtful and uninhibited, with a captivating voice that is matched by tender, sometimes funny, uplifting lyrics. If you looked up the definition of open-hearted in the dictionary, you just might find a photo of Ellis there. Their performances are transformational; leaving audiences feeling better, with softened edges & opened hearts.

Ellis is a performer with a mission. Believing that music is healing, they regularly offer their music for free / pay what you can online. Also, Ellis offers a “Right On Time” hotline message that supports resilience by sharing different grounding / mindful practices as well as a reminder each week that we are interdependent and worthy of love and belonging. As a fan favorite song asks, “What if we are right on time?” Ellis also has a member community on Patreon and meets with patrons weekly at 11am central time in a gathering called “Feelin’ It Fridays”.

Ellis released their tenth album, Ordinary Love, in 2020. Says Ellis, “My hope for this new album is that it both inspires a lighter heart while also expressing and connecting to the gravity of this moment in our human history. Can we greet our lives, each other, and even the news every day with ordinary love?”

A transplant from Texas to Minnesota at age 16, Ellis got their musical start at open mics, and grew a following touring full time. Ellis has been recognized both for songwriting as well as for engaging performances. Having become a mainstay at several folk festivals, Ellis has been a repeat performer as well as voted “audience favorite” at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Moab Folk Festival, Sisters Folk Festival, and Rocky Mountain Folk Festival.