Pine Mountain director retires

Posted: 02.22.2012 at 5:48 PM

HOUGHTON -- The name and face of Peter Van Pelt is recognizable to many. Those who live in the Western U.P. know him as the executive director of the Pine Mountain Music Festival.

For years, Van Pelt has shared his passion of the arts by helping bring classical music throughout the area, and this year he is going to retire.

"I'm not getting any younger, and we have family spread out. I love the festival, and I expect I'll be doing ongoing work here anyway," said Van Pelt.

What he loves about this community so much is the fact that the area is rich in history and that connection runs deep. Peter says there is also an active arts community, and he values that as well.

"The best word that I can describe about Peter is he's a classy guy. He's done a phenomenal job," said Sandra Lewin, new executive director.

In 2007, the organization encountered a financial crisis, and Van Pelt played a very important role in keeping the festival afloat.

Last year the festival welcomed "Rockland," a historical opera based on a Finnish miners strike.

"It carried messages concerning much bigger issues, like labor management strike and unsafe working conditions, and it was a thrill to be part of Rockland," Van Pelt said.

Sandra Lewin, who is also a long-time friend of Van Pelt, will take his position.

"It was decided just this January that I would take the job, and it is an honor to fill Peter's shoes," Lewin said.

Van Pelt says he is going to miss working with his staff as well as all of the great people he has met.

"They love having the festival here, they love knowing that it's here, they appreciate what it brings to the Upper Peninsula, so long may it live," Van Pelt said.