If you know Angie Benson at all, the first word that comes to mind is either music or piano.

Growing up in Menomonie, Angie first showed interest in piano while attending Preschool at UW-Stout. Says Angie, “the teacher had matching colored dots on the piano and the music. I was always excited to play it.” And at River Heights Elementary she started taking percussion lessons as soon as she was old enough to choose an instrument.

Angie’s favorite high school teachers were Miles Mortensen and Scott Plank (band directors) as well as Diane Heaney and Jackie Lindner (choir directors). “I was inspired by each of them in their own special ways. They gave me so many opportunities and encouraged me to continue pursuing my musical endeavors past the walls of MHS. They made the band and choir rooms safe spaces to be a music geek!”

While in high school, Angie participated in band, marching band, choir, show choir, and sometimes orchestra and string ensemble.

Her favorite memories during high school were band trips to Florida and Colorado Springs, attending and participating in honor choir festivals at St. Olaf College, Luther College and UW-Madison. Angie traveled to Sweden with the show choir and jazz band. (Note: I was one of the chaperones and had wonderful adventures with Angie and her friends. We all developed a special relationship during that trip). In addition, Angie loved playing the French horn in band and marching band, singing in and accompanying choirs, and doing all of these with her closest friends.

Angie says, “I’ve been fortunate to have fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a pianist/keyboardist in the theatre, as well as a music director and conductor. My travels have taken me all across the country over the years, but I’m now based in the D.C. area where I live with my wonderful husband Michael (a theatrical scene, technology, and sound designer/professor), our 17-year-old son Max, and best dog Bob.”

Some highlights of Angie’s career have included:

• meeting the writers of In the Heights (Lin-Manual Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes) when they came to see a production I was music directing/conducting

• serving as Associate Music Director to Fran Liebergall (Marvin Hamlisch’s assistant and original Broadway pianist on A Chorus Line, on a “dreamy” Hawaiian tour of the show

• music directing and conducting School of Rock at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City (nothing like the rush of 7,000+ people sitting in the audience behind you)!

• playing a 6 foot+ odaiko taiko drum on a production of Pacific Overtures

• music directing and conducting an update of David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori’s musical Soft Power while they were in residence and working with us

“I’m currently music directing Come From Away at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival until March and will then move on to do the same at Indiana Repertory Theatre until May and once again at Syracuse Stage in the fall.”

Angie’s thoughts on growing up in Menomonie? “It was a great place to grow up, and I’m proud to be from Wisconsin!”

When asked for other “facts” about her life, she shared that she had a probable COVID-related heart attack in August 2024. This has resulted in her “learning the importance of appreciating every single day and the opportunity I’m given. And more importantly, I’m making sure that my loved ones know how I feel about them!”

Judy Foust is a retired longtime 7th Grade Reading Specialist at Menomonie Middle School. To submit info to her or to request an interview she may be contacted at [email protected]