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BeethoVAN mobile stage to bring classical music to rural areas

The team involved in BeethoVAN project standing on the mobile stage created by Mines students includes Dr. Jason Ash and Mines mechanical engineering majors Logan Leader, Zach Mohr, Joseph Zoller and Eric Moore with project sponsors Dr. Brett Walfish and Dr. Katie Smirnova, founders of the Rushmore Music Festival.
SD Mines
The team involved in BeethoVAN project standing on the mobile stage created by Mines students includes Dr. Jason Ash and Mines mechanical engineering majors Logan Leader, Zach Mohr, Joseph Zoller and Eric Moore with project sponsors Dr. Brett Walfish and Dr. Katie Smirnova, founders of the Rushmore Music Festival.

This interview originally aired on In the Moment on SDPB Radio.

An arts and engineering collaboration will bring classical music to rural and remote communities. The stage can go anywhere a trailer can fit.

The BeethoVAN mobile stage was designed and built by South Dakota Mines mechanical engineering students. The project was sponsored by the Rushmore Music Festival, which will use it to perform pop-up concerts all summer.

Mike Ray is communications manager at South Dakota Mines. Brett Walfish is executive director of the Rushmore Music Festival.

They discuss the unique challenges of building a mobile stage that can bring classical music—including a baby grand piano—on the road.

Lori Walsh is the host and senior producer of In the Moment.
Ellen Koester is a producer of In the Moment, SDPB's daily news and culture broadcast.
Ari Jungemann is a producer of In the Moment, SDPB's daily news and culture broadcast.