Celebrating Gale Cook’s retirement

Basic RGBJoin us in celebrating Gale Cook’s retirement and her contributions to the Dennos and NMC.

The celebration will take place Friday, Dec. 11 from 3-5 p.m. in the Dennos Museum Center Sculpture Court. (more…)

Make a gift that lasts a lifetime

As a member of the NMC community, you understand how education changes lives. But did you know that you can use payroll deduction to make a charitable gift to support the area of the College that you love? Simply fill out this form. You can make a gift to your favorite NMC program or to the Annual Fund, which addresses the College’s greatest needs—making a difference for every student every day.

The gift of education lasts a lifetime. Thank you for all that you do for NMC and its students! (more…)

Extreme Fiber Fashions exhibition and sale at the Dennos Museum Center

rowan 4If you are looking for a unique handmade gift of art for that special someone, or if you want something original for yourself this holiday season, then consider shopping Extreme Fiber Fashions, an exhibition and sale of wearable art by Michigan fiber artists at the Dennos Museum Center.

This sale of wearable art is being presented by the Dennos Museum Store in association with the installation of Extreme Fibers: Textile Icons and the New Edge the next exhibition opening at the Dennos December 13, 2015. The sale will open Friday, December 11 at 10 am and continue through Sunday, December 13, 5pm, in the Museum Sculpture Court. (more…)

Don We Now Our Worst Apparel!

eric's sweater closeupDo you and your team have the style swagger and seasonal spirit to rock an ugly sweater this holiday? Send a group selfie wearing your best/worst/tackiest and totally over the top sweaters.

The winning team will get a fitting prize and a year of bragging rights! Email your entries to publicrelations@nmc.edu by 5 p.m. Thursday, December 17. We will announce the top team at the NMC Employee holiday party December 18. Good luck and have fun!

Here’s a sneak preview of one sweater from a group submission…think you can top this? Send in your office’s entry today!

(more…)

Benefits corner- Affordable Care Act reporting with your 2015 TAXES

You will be receiving Form 1095-C from NMC this year to file with your taxes.  This is a requirement of the IRS under the Affordable Health Care Act.  This form will allow you to report required information about the health insurance coverage offered to you by NMC.

The form will be provided to you by the end of January, so you can use it in the preparation of your 2015 taxes.  You will have an option of electronic delivery or paper copy, just as you do for delivery of your W-2. (more…)

Kudos!

Kudos- Praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved. (defined by Merriam-Webster.com)

Kudos to the following people and departments! If you know of co-workers who are going above and beyond, nominate them for kudos here! (more…)

Success Story: The Accidentals – From NMC Children’s Choir to indie fame

December 2, 2015

The Accidentals - photo copyright Tony DeminThe Accidentals are used to getting shout-outs, from the likes of Billboard Magazine, music festival insiders, and, of course, the audiences who flock to their rootsy, genre-bending shows.

But back home in Traverse City, where they’ve just returned from a West Coast tour swing, Savannah Buist, 20, and Katie Larson, 19, have saved up some shout-outs of their own.

Like to the entire NMC music department, which last year helped Buist score one of The Accidentals’ songs for performance by the 72-piece Traverse Symphony Orchestra. A violinist herself, Buist recalls adjunct instructor Mike Hunter’s comment about her original arrangement for the horn section.

“ ‘You forgot to let them breathe,’ ” she said, with a laugh. With the assistance of Hunter, Dorothy Vogel, Scott Sorenson, Laurie Sears and others, however, the Accidentals and the TSO pulled off the piece.

Buist and Larson have barely had time to breathe themselves this year, playing 230 shows along with recording and touring drummer Michael Dause. Even at home they’ll stay busy, like with a live performance on radio station WNMC at 2 p.m. Thursday. (Buist also guest-DJs for the station late nights when she can.)

The Accidentals - photo copyright Tony DeminDescribed by one music blogger as “the best unsigned band in America,” both Buist and Larson’s vocal resumes include singing in the NMC Children’s Choir. Larson, chiefly a cellist, recalls her nervousness at auditioning a cappella. She did it, though, and said the lesson is still relevant to the Accidentals.

“The thing that has gotten us this far is pushing out of the comfort zone,” she said.

Instructor Patrick Niemisto, who worked one-on-one with Buist when she was in the Audio Tech program, recalled her enthusiasm for learning. Even though she already played violin, bass and piano, she was interested in learning mandolin from him. (Between them, the Accidentals play a dozen instruments.)

“We would swap tunes, and improvise over the top of things,” he said. “I learned as much from her as she did from me.”

After meeting at Traverse City West High School, the pair transferred to the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Buist graduated in 2013 and Larson in 2014. Buist then earned an Audio Technology certificate at NMC before they decided to pause their formal educations to dedicate themselves full-time to The Accidentals.

“It was really a hard decision not to go to school,” said Larson, who described them as “obsessed with reading and learning and research.”

On the other hand, focusing exclusively on music has paid off.

“It’s been amazing to see what kind of success you get,” Larson said.

At the top of their 2016 goal list is a new album. Then, they hope to return to some of the cities where their fan base is strongest. That would include Traverse City, where the love is mutual.

“Anything in Traverse City has had some part in shaping who we are,” said Larson.

December Wellness Works- Eating healthy around the holidays

december wellness snowballThere is no denying that the holiday season is here. Work and family obligations can seem overwhelming. Even the most disciplined, health conscious person can fall off the wagon and pack on pounds when holiday stress strikes.  Colorful cookies and candies lingering around the office and at home can make the New Year feel a little – heavy.

Here are some strategies to fend off holiday bulge and still enjoy the season. (more…)

Success Story: The Accidentals – From NMC Children’s Choir to indie fame

December 2, 2015

The Accidentals - photo copyright Tony DeminThe Accidentals are used to getting shout-outs, from the likes of Billboard Magazine, music festival insiders, and, of course, the audiences who flock to their rootsy, genre-bending shows.

But back home in Traverse City, where they’ve just returned from a West Coast tour swing, Savannah Buist, 20, and Katie Larson, 19, have saved up some shout-outs of their own.

Like to the entire NMC music department, which last year helped Buist score one of The Accidentals’ songs for performance by the 72-piece Traverse Symphony Orchestra. A violinist herself, Buist recalls adjunct instructor Mike Hunter’s comment about her original arrangement for the horn section.

“ ‘You forgot to let them breathe,’ ” she said, with a laugh. With the assistance of Hunter, Dorothy Vogel, Scott Sorenson, Laurie Sears and others, however, the Accidentals and the TSO pulled off the piece.

Buist and Larson have barely had time to breathe themselves this year, playing 230 shows along with recording and touring drummer Michael Dause. Even at home they’ll stay busy, like with a live performance on radio station WNMC at 2 p.m. Thursday. (Buist also guest-DJs for the station late nights when she can.)

The Accidentals - photo copyright Tony DeminDescribed by one music blogger as “the best unsigned band in America,” both Buist and Larson’s vocal resumes include singing in the NMC Children’s Choir. Larson, chiefly a cellist, recalls her nervousness at auditioning a cappella. She did it, though, and said the lesson is still relevant to the Accidentals.

“The thing that has gotten us this far is pushing out of the comfort zone,” she said.

Instructor Patrick Niemisto, who worked one-on-one with Buist when she was in the Audio Tech program, recalled her enthusiasm for learning. Even though she already played violin, bass and piano, she was interested in learning mandolin from him. (Between them, the Accidentals play a dozen instruments.)

“We would swap tunes, and improvise over the top of things,” he said. “I learned as much from her as she did from me.”

After meeting at Traverse City West High School, the pair transferred to the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Buist graduated in 2013 and Larson in 2014. Buist then earned an Audio Technology certificate at NMC before they decided to pause their formal educations to dedicate themselves full-time to The Accidentals.

“It was really a hard decision not to go to school,” said Larson, who described them as “obsessed with reading and learning and research.”

On the other hand, focusing exclusively on music has paid off.

“It’s been amazing to see what kind of success you get,” Larson said.

At the top of their 2016 goal list is a new album. Then, they hope to return to some of the cities where their fan base is strongest. That would include Traverse City, where the love is mutual.

“Anything in Traverse City has had some part in shaping who we are,” said Larson.

Success Story: The Accidentals – From NMC Children’s Choir to indie fame

December 2, 2015

The Accidentals - photo copyright Tony DeminThe Accidentals are used to getting shout-outs, from the likes of Billboard Magazine, music festival insiders, and, of course, the audiences who flock to their rootsy, genre-bending shows.

But back home in Traverse City, where they’ve just returned from a West Coast tour swing, Savannah Buist, 20, and Katie Larson, 19, have saved up some shout-outs of their own.

Like to the entire NMC music department, which last year helped Buist score one of The Accidentals’ songs for performance by the 72-piece Traverse Symphony Orchestra. A violinist herself, Buist recalls adjunct instructor Mike Hunter’s comment about her original arrangement for the horn section.

“ ‘You forgot to let them breathe,’ ” she said, with a laugh. With the assistance of Hunter, Dorothy Vogel, Scott Sorenson, Laurie Sears and others, however, the Accidentals and the TSO pulled off the piece.

Buist and Larson have barely had time to breathe themselves this year, playing 230 shows along with recording and touring drummer Michael Dause. Even at home they’ll stay busy, like with a live performance on radio station WNMC at 2 p.m. Thursday. (Buist also guest-DJs for the station late nights when she can.)

The Accidentals - photo copyright Tony DeminDescribed by one music blogger as “the best unsigned band in America,” both Buist and Larson’s vocal resumes include singing in the NMC Children’s Choir. Larson, chiefly a cellist, recalls her nervousness at auditioning a cappella. She did it, though, and said the lesson is still relevant to the Accidentals.

“The thing that has gotten us this far is pushing out of the comfort zone,” she said.

Instructor Patrick Niemisto, who worked one-on-one with Buist when she was in the Audio Tech program, recalled her enthusiasm for learning. Even though she already played violin, bass and piano, she was interested in learning mandolin from him. (Between them, the Accidentals play a dozen instruments.)

“We would swap tunes, and improvise over the top of things,” he said. “I learned as much from her as she did from me.”

After meeting at Traverse City West High School, the pair transferred to the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Buist graduated in 2013 and Larson in 2014. Buist then earned an Audio Technology certificate at NMC before they decided to pause their formal educations to dedicate themselves full-time to The Accidentals.

“It was really a hard decision not to go to school,” said Larson, who described them as “obsessed with reading and learning and research.”

On the other hand, focusing exclusively on music has paid off.

“It’s been amazing to see what kind of success you get,” Larson said.

At the top of their 2016 goal list is a new album. Then, they hope to return to some of the cities where their fan base is strongest. That would include Traverse City, where the love is mutual.

“Anything in Traverse City has had some part in shaping who we are,” said Larson.