Homegrown Steering Committee, Board of Directors and Staff
The Homegrown Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to organize the annual Homegrown Music Festival for the cultural benefit of the Twin Ports, continued showcasing of local music, and helping sustain a supportive arts community.
Co-directors:
Dereck Murphy-Williams
Dereck “DD” Murphy-Williams. An edgy and clever man with a passion for Duluth’s Homegrown Music Festival. He is always looking for ways to improve and grow the festival while keeping it’s core values at heart through the several different positions he has taken on.
When he’s not working up some fun new hairstyles, he’s probably listening to Childish Gambino and yelling at/with his cat. He’s bound to keep you on your toes with his scintillating quips and prudent observations. Keep an eye out for his eclectic outfits and fresh attitude during the festival!
Cory Jezierski
Cory is an earth human obsessed with music and not at all an extraterrestrial hell bent on world domination. He burned up the last two decades by playing in some trashy bands, booking and promoting some wild shows, recording some weird music and doing a little touring. His other interests include horror movies, record collecting and spending time with his wife Suzy and his furry friend Rex. He’s not the greasy strangler.
Steering Committee:
Jenny Armstrong
If you bred a golden retriever with a feral cat, you’d get Jenny. Volunteer for Homegrown since 2010, Steering Committee since 2019. Musically obsessed, magically blessed and occasionally stressed. You will find her on a hiking trail when it’s warm, and sipping tea in front of a puzzle when it’s cold. When you see her out, say hello. Hugs guaranteed.
Leon Rohrbaugh
Leon Rohrbaugh has a long running history with Homegrown going back to the beginning. He has played in all but one festival and has participated in the goings on prior to his joining the Homegrown Steering Committee this year. With past and present involvement in multiple bands in the Twin Ports, including a Homegrown favorite, A Band Called Truman, Leon is sure to bring the party. His energy is infectious and his passion for performing live is evident through the connection he has with his audience. When Leon isn’t performing on stage, he can be found hanging with his family, cooking amazing grilled eats off Chicken Alley or riding dirty on his bike.
Sara Mannetter
“We’re all bold as love. Just ask the Axis” – Hendrix
“Music is our friend” – King Crimson 2021 Tour
“I hate and love. Why I do this, perhaps you ask. I know not, but I feel it happening, and I am tormented” – Catullus 85
Kala Moria
Kala Moria has volunteered at, played in, and created unofficial events for Homegrown for many years before joining the steering committee in 2023. In her “free time” she can be found playing her tuba in Winzige Hosen, emceeing for The Duluth Dolls, recording her paranormal podcast Left of Skeptic, or running around to Twin Ports Horror Society events. In her actual free time, she can be found watching movies on the couch with het husband, cat, and newt. Kala is also terrible at writing bios.
Jessica Fowler
Shawna Weaver
Shawna recently returned to Duluth from San Diego, mostly for Homegrown. She’s the program director for the Duluth Armory’s Music Resource Center by day and spends her evenings writing, taking in live music, or smoking cigars with her feral dog. Find her teaching hot yoga or flying south for the weekend.
Kelly Tout
Kelly barged in to help with the 2023 festival and stuck around. After bouncing around Duluth and the surrounding area her whole life, she landed in the wild west as a proud parent of 2 girlies and 3 kitties. Lover of horror, plants, puzzles and cats you may find her wandering around town soaking up music, movies, food and/or beverages. Delish.
Kaylee Matuszak
Duluth’s Famous Kaylee Matuszak has been playing Homegrown since 2015 and joined the Steering Committee in 2023. When she’s not dealing with tourists at her day job, you can probably find her causing problems on purpose at shows around town. Currently serving as the democratically elected Night Mayor of Duluth, she is always up to something.
Louren Yzaguirre
Louren is a Texan who moved from New Orleans in 2015 to the Twin Ports area. Her love of music led her to volunteer for Homegrown in 2023. She works as a mental health worker for children and is really excited to be involved with the children’s showcase for Homegrown. When she isn’t working and attending school at UW Superior, she is crafting, taking care of her 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 guinea pigs, and multiple baby tarantulas.
Robert Cavanaugh
Raised on Long Island by the sea, I gave a ride to a gal I met in Daytona Beach to Duluth Mn, and fell in love with the Lake and this beautiful City. I sang with the UMD Jazz Choir and the Lake Superior Symphony for years. I’m a Dancer, a Sailor, a Skier, and a OneWheeler, who absolutely loves music of all kinds. I’ve been a Homegrown Volunteer several times and am super excited now to be one of the newest members of this amazing group of people who form the Steering Committee.
Eric Bong
Eric Bong feels lost if he isn’t playing in a band or seven. He has performed with various bands in every Homegrown Music Festival since 2005. He routinely states that Homegrown is his favorite holiday, evident by the number of high fives and hugs he provokes during festival week. The camaraderie of Duluth’s vibrant music scene is the only thing more abundant in his veins than coffee and the dog fur he is constantly sweeping up at home.
Robby Isaacs
Your local hometown homo, Robby Isaacs has been pissing midwesterners off since 1984. They’ve been obsessed with music ever since Meatloaf’s “I Would Do Anything for Love” changed their life at the age of 7. A lover of Homegrown since 2013, they are beyond stoked to now be a part of the steering committee. Out in the world you can usually find them in the woods, near the water, at a show, or in a hurry.
Chad Brown
Chad “C-Silence” Brown is a seasoned Rap and Hip Hop artist, music producer, and a proud member of the Boog3ym3n collective. With over two decades of experience, C-Silence has consistently delivered impactful singles and albums that resonate with depth and meaning. His music is characterized by a conscious and poetic approach, creating an expansive soundscape where beats, lyrics, and synths effortlessly coexist. Through his art, he strives to push boundaries and elevate the genre, inviting listeners into a thoughtful and immersive musical journey.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Kelli Latuska
Kelli Latuska served on the steering committee for four years before being elected Treasurer of the Board of Directors. By day, she is Executive Managing Director of the Minnesota Ballet, and by night she is crime-fighter by way of listening to true crime podcasts and armchair-sleuthing on the internet. She also likes painting, reading, and hanging out with her nephews.
Jason Beckman
With advanced degrees in management and business, plus thousands of hours working live music events, Jason brings a unique perspective to the Homegrown Music Festival. Jason keeps his eye on liabilities, seeks ways to maximize assets, and jumps into any situation that needs rectification. Jason joined the Steering Committee in 2016 and the Board of Directors in 2019 in order to support a festival he has attended annually since 2003.
Leah Wilkes
Leah is a recent transplant to Duluth but brings with her a passion for supporting local musicians and music fans that goes back decades. A former music festival planner from the formative years of South by Southwest, Leah is committed to helping create an event that highlights all that Duluth offers for local fans, musicians, and visitors.
Tricia Hobbs
By day, you can find Tricia marketing the heck outta Duluth, and spreading the word about why folks should visit Duluth. When she’s not working, you can find her enjoying her West Duluth neighborhood with her husband and dog. She loves running, hiking, biking, drinking local bevvies, and enjoying live music. Tricia joined the Board of Directors in 2023, and is excited to support her favorite local festival.
Crystal Holden
Crystal joined the steering committee in 2017 after many years of volunteering for the festival in different capacities. She is a photographer/artist/graphic designer and small business owner. Always on the go, you may see her out at a show, shredding the gnar on the slopes, on a trail with her pup or rolling down the road in her Winne with her family or friends in tow.
Other Staff:
Paul Lundgren
Paul has managed the content of the Homegrown Music Festival Field Guide, the annual magazine promoting the festival, since the first issue in 2006. Before that he covered Homegrown for the Ripsaw newspaper, so he’s been chronicling the festival since its inception. He served on Homegrown’s steering committee from 2006 to 2010, and was the committee chair in 2010. Paul also covers local culture on the Perfect Duluth Day website when he isn’t walking around daydreaming.
Tyler Scouton
Tyler has been involved in the local music scene for more than 20 years, performing in bands like Bratwurst, Big Science and others. Since 2016 he has been the technology director for the festival.
