2024 Meet the Musicians
We are thrilled to bring you two evenings full of local musicians, brought to you by The Blue Light Studio, here in Midland. Saturday June 1st, and Sunday June 2nd, from 5:30 - 9:00 pm, musical performances will be on the Music on Main stage on Main St at the end of McDonald St. Bring your own chair or blanket, food or drinks (or visit one of our awesome Downtown establishments), to enjoy these incredible musicians.
Learn more about some of this year’s musical artists below.
A Word About the Blue Light Studio
Founded by artist Jazzmyn Benitez, The Blue Light Studio’s mission is to serve musicians and storytellers as they cultivate their talents to connect with their audience in meaningful and transformative ways.
See regular live ‘Livingroom Session’ performances in the Live Oak Coffeehouse Midtown location, in the Makers Room. Follow The Blue Light Studio on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest.
TENTATIVE LINEUP
(subject to change based on the evening)
Thank you to our Sound Tech: Dave Mead
Saturday, June 1, 5:30 - 9:00p
Noah Schieber - 5:40p
Emily Faber - 6:00p
Robin Abbott - 6:35p
Merissa Faye - 7:15p
MintLights - 8:00p
Sunday, June 2nd, 5:30 - 9:00p
Aiden Murray - 5:40p
Smoky the Cat - 6:00p
Parker Zimmerman - 6:35p
Becka Stewart - 7:15p
Erik Ryden - 8:00p
Meet the Musicians
Noah Schieber
Noah Schieber is an original Midland based musician who has been playing and writing for over 15 years. He takes inspiration from artists such as John Mayer and Ed Sheeran. His passion is to make music for the world to hear.
Emily Faber
Emily Faber is a soft pop artist and college student from Mount Pleasant, Michigan. She believes that music is an important tool for self-expression and that everyone deserves to have access to an artistic outlet without the fear of being judged. She believes art is for everyone.
Instagram: emilyfaber.28
Robin Abbott
With a collection of traditional and modern folk songs, Robin Abbott comes with a guitar, ukulele and banjo strapped on her back while carrying a voice that can silence a crowded room and break a loving heart. Raised in Belle, Missouri, a small town nestled in the foothills of the Ozark mountains, Robin also spent time in Kentucky and Virginia. She now makes her home in Saginaw, MI. Trained on the trumpet in the school band, her voice went unnoticed most of her formative years until she received a banjo as a gift in 2018. Since discovering her own voice and her overwhelming desire to sing she has been simultaneously learning banjo, ukulele, guitar and upright bass to support her sometimes delicate, sometimes shockingly powerful voice. Robin is also a textile artist under the moniker Woven Robin and is known for her nature inspired tapestries and wall art. In addition, Robin also has served as a volunteer board member for the Folk Society of Midland since 2021.
Merissa Faye
Merissa Faye has been playing and writing music for over half her life. She started performing in the mid-Michigan area in coffee shops and has since been able to play her music on new stages, including the World Friendship Shell stage. Merissa enjoys playing her original songs and various pop covers that you can sing along to. When she's not singing and playing guitar, she can be found writing her novel or reading with a vanilla oat latte in hand.
Instagram: @merissafayemusic
Mintlights
MintLights is a music project created by Lux Izquierdo that started in 2015. Lux was born and raised in Queretaro, Mexico, but moved to Michigan in 2014, where MintLights was created. The name MintLights comes from Lux’s synesthesia when listening to music, which usually comes as lights in minty colors (cool greens, blues, and purples). MintLight’s repertoire includes a little something for everyone: from songs by the Beatles, Queen, and Journey, to Paramore, Ed Sheeran, and original songs written by Lux.
Aiden Murray
For as long as I can remember, music has been a constant in my life. Whether I’m listening, writing, or just covering a song, there is always something new within it. Creating my own songs is something I love to do and I love sharing them with people. It inspires me to think that music is free- you can do whatever you want with it, make it your own.
Parker Zimmerman
I love performing and making people happy. I love having something for the crowd to enjoy and I will always do my best :)
@parker.zimmerman
Smoky the Cat
Smoky the Cat was born and raised in Midland, MI. Growing up, she was surrounded by sounds of The Beatles, Bob Seger, Hall and Oates, Motown, and many more. Later she also became drawn to Regina Spektor, Amy Winehouse, Lorde, and Fiona Apple. All of these influences have guided her musical journey and contributed to her sound as an artist.
Becka Stewart
Becka Stewart moved from Idaho with her husband and 3 children in 2016 to be close to family. She has been a nurse for 12 years and currently works as a Labor and Delivery RN at MyMichigan Regional Medical Center. Prior to nursing school and building a family, Becka was a lead vocalist in a corporate band out west where she traveled the surrounding states providing entertainment for weddings and events. After a long break from music, Becka decided to learn how to play guitar so she could perform on a smaller scale at local shops and venues. Just recently she has started writing her own music and really enjoys the creative process. When Becka isn't helping bring babies into the world, playing live music, or watching her kids play sports, she is spending time at Every-BODY Fitness. She is very excited to tap into her passion for health as she supports members at the studio as a Flexibility and Wellness Coach.
ERIK RYDEN
Midland native Erik Ryden has spent most of the last two decades performing around Michigan. You may have seen him with Life Size Ghost, Brett Mitchell & the Mitchfits, AKFM Trio, and Erik Ryden & the Unk of Funk. Influenced by the great blues players, flatpickers and, "Many fine folks rebellious in nature," Ryden's performances always deliver an authentic and honest impression of what it means to be a working musician. Find his original song "Guitar Pickin'" (feat. Mark Lavengood) on all digital music platforms.
Special thanks to our sound technician: Dave Mead
My journey in music started as a child, traveling with my parents who were also singer/songwriters. Music has been a way for me to connect with things that tend to lie deep within the soul of humanity. Music inspires, motivates, and brings an indescribable clarity to me. It taps into emotions like love, joy, peace, sorrow, loss, and pain. It gives hope to the hopeless, healing to the hurting, peace for the anxious, and love for the lost and lonely. Because of this, writing music has become a way for me to remind myself of what is most important and motivate me to do whatever it takes to keep fighting for it.
You can hear Dave perform earlier in the day Sunday at the Summer Art Fair!
