As co-founder of Reflections Festival, I am thrilled to congratulate Winifred Muench on receiving the Sedona Mayor’s Arts Award. This honor is a testament to her remarkable contributions to the arts and the collaborative spirit that has driven our community forward.
Winifred’s dedication and passion have been pivotal in shaping the arts landscape in Sedona. The recognition of her work is a reflection of the collective efforts of everyone who has supported and collaborated with her on this incredible journey. The unwavering support from organizations like the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), City of Sedona, Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Flinn Foundation has been crucial in bringing many artistic projects to life. Their commitment to fostering the arts has empowered us to create, innovate, and make the arts accessible to all. Our continued success is made possible by the generosity of our Platinum Donors, with heartfelt appreciation to Eye Boutique of Sedona, Carolyn Chang and Mary Byrd. Their unwavering support is instrumental in producing world-class performances in Sedona, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to the arts. We extend our deepest gratitude to Sedona Monthly, Kudos, and the Red Rock News for their unwavering support, not only of Sedona Ballet but of the entire arts community. Your dedication to highlighting and promoting the arts enriches our cultural landscape
I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated board members of Sedona Ballet—Carolyn Martin Chang, Diana McVeay, Dody Homan—and our advisors Bonny Borne Singer and Achmed Valk. Their vision, passion, and tireless efforts have been essential in driving our mission forward, inspiring creativity, nurturing talent, and ensuring that the arts remain a vibrant part of our community.
We must also recognize the incredible individuals whose dedication and support have been integral to our success. Candy Quillian and Danse Sedona worked tirelessly to make The Nutcracker a resounding success year after year. We are immensely grateful to Phoenix Ballet for bringing their live performances of The Nutcracker to Sedona for nine consecutive years, a collaboration that has enriched our holiday season. Special thanks to Rachel Cahayla Wynne, whose role as rehearsal mistress for The Nutcracker and assistant producer on Merope has been invaluable, and to Cheryl LeBlanc, whose outstanding organizational skills have kept our Nutcracker productions running smoothly. Zoe Kalmus, with her many years as production assistant, and her mother, Doreen Kalmus, who managed concessions with dedication, have also played vital roles. A heartfelt thank you to Cori Oles-Adams and Julie Williams for all their backstage work, sewing and costume work in the early years. Also, many of our successful productions were due to the backstage work of Andi Beckham and thanks to Mark First for managing the box office over the past 11 years.
A heartfelt thank you to Debra Williams, who has generously portrayed Mother Ginger each year, and to Melissa Rex and her remarkable theatre tech team for their expertise in bringing all our productions to life. We are fortunate to have the technical brilliance of Jeremy Ferguson, our local tech guru, as well as the artistic talents of photographers Brian Chang, James Peterson, and Gregory Griffin, who have donated their time to capture our performances. Our gratitude also extends to Danielle McNeal for her backstage assistance during the ABT Studio Company performance, Rosemary Mays for her exceptional work on wardrobe, and Beth Gold, whose delicious and nourishing meals have provided comfort to both our dancers and audiences.
Winifred, your leadership and vision have been instrumental in the success of Reflections Festival and the broader arts community in Sedona. Your commitment to excellence sets a standard that inspires us all, and it is an honor to have partnered with you in bringing our shared dream to life.
This award is not just a personal achievement for Winifred but a celebration of the collaborative spirit that defines our work. It belongs to everyone who has contributed to advancing the arts in Sedona. Thank you all for your support and dedication, and for making this award possible.