April 8, 2026 The 2026 Irving S. Gilmore International Piano Festival will feature the finest international pianists playing classical, jazz, and pop music. The piano will be center stage for Gilmore-commissioned world premieres, free community concerts, films, musical theatre and so much more. This year, GRCC is participating in the festival for the first time. Kent Philharmonic Orchestra (KPO) will be on stage May 8 at St. Cecilia with Elliot Wuu , playing Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A Minor.” So what, you might ask, is Kent Philharmonic Orchestra, and how is it connected to GRCC? “We are the best-kept 50 year old secret in Grand Rapids,” said Ed Millermaier, Board Chair of KPO and a viola player himself. “The orchestra operates through GRCC, which provides funding for the conductor, rehearsal space and support services. Our membership is made up of GRCC music students and community members who love music. Their enthusiasm is the reason we have lasted for so long.”   Growth of the Orchestra The conductor is none other than the highly-acclaimed Dr. Libor Ondras , who sees the orchestra as an incubator for musicians and a place for continuous learning. “This is a safe place in which to learn,” Ondras said. “We provide the instruction and rehearsal time for people to grow in their artistry and abilities while tackling an exciting repertoire. As a result, we have been able to play with distinguished soloists and help launch careers. For instance, Palo Dara, who won our concerto competition a few years ago, just made it into the Chicago Symphony. Elliott Wuu is another great example. He was a 2018 Gilmore Young Artist and now is an internationally-acclaimed pianist. Our musicians are reaching new heights they never thought they could attain.” This growth did not happen overnight. “It took a few years to build the momentum and excitement we needed in order to advance,” Ondras said. “I incorporate strategies that break the rehearsal process into incremental steps, while insisting on impeccable execution because that is what great music deserves. It validates not only our respect for the music, but equally the faith in our capacity to rise to that level. Our progress became crystal clear to me a few weeks ago, when we ran out of chairs for rehearsal!”   A Win-Win Collaboration  Although the Gilmore is an internationally-acclaimed organization, the performance side of the Festival has been firmly rooted in Kalamazoo. Recently, their board has been exploring opportunities to reach out, both in Michigan and beyond. When Millermaier moved from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids, he saw the potential synergy between Gilmore and KPO. “I called Pierre (executive and artistic director of the Festival) to pitch the collaboration idea,” Millermaier said. “KPO has the talent and the leadership to play with emerging artists. We perform at St. Cecilia, which is a coveted performance venue. The Gilmore wants to expand and develop audiences. This is a win-win for everyone.” Millermaier extended the invitation for a Gilmore artist play with KPO last year and that sealed the deal. He hopes that this is the beginning of a long relationship. “KPO is a place where students can learn to play full symphonic works while developing a  musical network,” Millermaier said. “Libor has been a catalyst for affirmation and growth. We’ve seen a surge of young players joining the orchestra and everyone is excited about the potential. This is a wonderful way to elevate the quality of the GRCC music program while giving musicians a place to play repertoire they might not otherwise have the chance to experience.”   Dr. Ondras has intentionally cultivated the orchestra and its capabilities to reach this point. “It’s a tremendous honor to play under the auspices of the Gilmore Festival,” he said. “That’s a challenge we are ready and eager to accept, because it is another rung in the ladder of growth. This year, our musicians are learning to accompany soloists playing concertos. We’re filling the gap between a college symphony and a professional symphony, providing quality experiences and training that are accessible. In the process, we are building a network of lasting relationships that showcases the role of KPO in the community.” Tickets to KPO at the Gilmore Festival are available through GRCC Music’s event platform Ludus . This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.  

April 6, 2026 When it comes to the subject of math, many people think you’re either math minded or you’re not. A common misconception is that some people simply aren’t “good at math.” At Grand Rapids Community College, Mathematics department head, Monica Bliss, leads faculty in applying a growth mindset approach to challenge that belief. “Students often come in with a fixed mindset. They think their intelligence is fixed,” Bliss said. “But people with a growth mindset believe their intelligence can grow and change. When they make a mistake, they’re not worried about being judged. They’re more concerned with how they’re going to learn from it.” That philosophy drives instruction in many of GRCC’s math classrooms. Faculty emphasize effort as the key to improvement and frame setbacks as part of the learning process. Instead of avoiding mistakes, students are encouraged to work through them and find new paths forward. A Teacher Can Make the Difference For many students, their perception of math is shaped by past classroom experiences. Teachers who believe all students can succeed tend to make math feel more accessible. Those who don’t can leave lasting doubt. Instructor Jodi Dawson, who has taught at GRCC for almost 20 years, said her approach begins with recognizing each student’s potential. “Teaching is about recognizing every student has value,” Dawson said. “I go into every class wanting to help every student be successful.” She said creating a supportive classroom environment is essential. Students need to feel at ease stepping outside their comfort zones and making mistakes. “I believe anybody can learn math. I don’t believe they have to love math,” Dawson said. “I work to establish a trusting relationship where students feel safe to get things wrong and ask questions. I don’t want them to just accept something because the teacher said so.” For Dawson, building that sense of safety allows students to see mistakes not as failures, but as progress. “We should celebrate the process,” she said. Tutoring as Part of the Process   Support extends beyond the classroom to tutoring centers where students can access help for free and without an appointment. Jeremi Merrill, a Promise Zone tutorial center coordinator, works with students who may lack confidence. “There might have been people who made students believe they were bad at math,” Merrill said. “Often, students get most of the process correct but focus on what they got wrong.” Addressing a single misunderstanding can unlock broader success, he said. Fixing one small error often creates momentum, helping students build confidence step by step. Merrill also encourages students to be more open in their learning. “I talk to my students a lot about being willing to be vulnerable in math class,” he said. “My classes evolve into group discussions. Students share their thinking in real time instead of waiting to raise their hands.” That collaborative approach helps shift students from feeling incapable to seeing themselves as problem solvers. Math Is More Than Solving an Equation Many people believe math belongs only in the classroom and has little relevance in daily life. While most people don’t solve equations at the gas pump or calculate square roots on the job, the underlying skill — problem-solving — is used constantly. “Math is really about the process of problem-solving,” Bliss said. “When you start working through new ways to achieve a solution, you are problem-solving. It can be math-related or something in everyday life. Math is all about the process. It helps curate the mind into feeling confident to problem solve one step at a time.” Students who learn to break problems into steps and recognize small successes tend to be better prepared over time. This approach keeps the growth mindset central to their learning. It shifts the focus from simply getting the right answer to understanding how to get there. It is often through mistakes that the most meaningful learning occurs. “When a student gets a question wrong, it’s because they had the courage to try,” Dawson said. “The success is not in getting it right. The success is finding the mistakes and asking how we move forward.” She added that traditional classroom norms can discourage that mindset. “For so long, we’ve been taught not to speak unless we have the right answer,” Dawson said. “The real power is recognizing that making mistakes is where growth happens.” Anyone Can Do Math   GRCC’s Mathematics department works to put the growth mindset principles at the center of its classrooms, with the goal of helping every student feel capable and supported. “There are always people who say math isn’t their favorite or they’re not good at it,” Merrill said. “But you have to keep trying. If teachers give up, students will, too.” That persistence is key to building trust in the learning process. Faculty work to reinforce the value of effort and consistency, helping students see progress over time. Teaching with a growth mindset requires planning and patience. It can also require more time in the classroom, particularly when students are encouraged to approach problems in different ways. “I think one of the differences with a growth-minded professor is being okay with 20 students getting the correct answer using 20 different methods,” Dawson said. “It’s much easier to have everyone use the same method, but it’s not as rewarding.” For Dawson, the payoff comes in watching students change how they see themselves. “Seeing students go from believing they’re not math-minded to knowing they’re capable—that’s a refreshing and uplifting feeling as an educator,” she said. Visit the Mathematics department web page to learn more about their areas of study. This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.

April 2, 2026 Grand Rapids Community College’s GRCC Players will perform CONTINUITY , a production highlighting the gap between art and science and the role of storytelling in our current environmental crisis. CONTINUITY tells the story of Maria, an independent film writer and director whose script on climate change has been picked up by a Hollywood studio for a feature film production. What starts as an earnest film about climate change turns into a blockbuster action movie taking place on an arctic (styrofoam) ice floe, and features an ecoterrorist plotting a bombing mission to save all of humankind (supposedly). “We selected this show because of its catty humor, metacommentary on the friction between art and business and the larger debate it initiates about the climate in the real world.” said Jason Flannery, GRCC theater instructor. “A benefit of the play is its unadorned look at our current environmental situation, with no alteration to make the story ‘satisfying’ or ‘narratively sound.’ The truth is the truth, and bending it to fit a prescribed story is a disservice to all.” CONTINUITY has prompted a wide array of responses within the GRCC Theater department; some bleak, some hopeful, some mixed. “I hope this production works like a call to action,” said Kayden Bravata, playing the role of Hollywood writer (and Maria’s ex), David Caxton. “I’d like the audience to come away with a new understanding of media portrayal on important topics, like climate change.” Kiera Zittel, who plays Maria, says being a part of this production has motivated her to create more spaces for creativity and collaboration. “Theather is a great source of community. I hope people walk out with realization that awareness without action is ultimately passivity. We all have a choice every day to work towards a better tomorrow.” Information and Tickets April 9-11, 2026  7:30 p.m. Spectrum Theater, Main Stage $18  General Admission |  $12  GRCC Faculty and Staff | $5  GRCC Student  Directed by Jason Flannery Stage Manager -  Rhonda Lehan Assistant Stage Manager -  Benjamin Dixon CAST  Maria - Kiera Zittel David - Kayden Bravata Nicole - Sevi Cullum Jake - Ian Santoyo Lily - Madina Nalwanga Larry - Santiago Mejia PA - Jason Perez-Velasquez 1st AD - Lauren Hambelton 2nd AD - Sara Brock Camera Op - Jacob Creager Sound Guy - Kyle Jackson 2nd PA - Sam Temple Tickets: grcctheater.ludus.com or call (616) 234-3946.