About Us
Photo by Noah Kupcho
Katie Bruckbauer
Poet-Choreographer-Dancer, Author of 'Time to Soar: Word Dances and Bird Songs for Every Season'
I was raised on a farm outside of Casselton, ND, in a large, faith-filled family full of kindness and compassion, safety and security, pride and perfection. I consider myself a recovering perfectionist, and I'm awakening to the idea that life is really most beautiful in its imperfections. I am practicing patience as this slow process to freedom unfolds.
As a child, I always loved to dance. Starting in ballet/jazz, I loved the opportunity to bring my athletic & musical abilities together, and eventually, found my passion in modern dance and creative movement. I shared this passion with a dance studio in the Fargo-Moorhead (ND) area for 30 years along with my cousin, Barb Wieland. In recent years, I've discovered the healing benefits of yoga and mindfulness; rediscovered how vital dancing is to my physical, mental and spiritual well-being; and found how writing poetry can be a healing avenue for many of life's challenges. Through rhythm and rhyme, I explore the complexities, questions, hardships, joys, and beauty of life. Time to Soar: Word Dances and Bird Songs for Every Season is my first book of poetry. Publishing it with Mary Jo and creating the complementary Poetry in Motion performance with Barb have brought such wonderful rewards.
I live in Fargo with my husband, Mike. We have 3 adult children and live next door to our 3 grandchildren.
Mary Jo Savageau
Illustrator, Web Designer, Techie
I grew up in Casselton near my cousins Katie and Barb. I loved art from an early age and have always been fascinated by what can emerge from lines and color on a blank piece of paper. I studied art and English in college, and, after working in communications careers for many years, started Wide Open Skies Creative Services doing web design and consulting. I illustrated Time to Soar with watercolor and digital art.
My husband, John, and I live in Bismarck, ND, and we have two daughters. We are avid golfers, and I also enjoy reading, crocheting, doing word games, and creating spreadsheets for serious things like managing product inventories as well as fun things like making custom party Bingo boards.
Barb Wieland
Choreographer-Dancer
I grew up on the same farm as my cousin Katie outside of Casselton, ND, and we were almost inseparable. I also studied dance and was co-owner with Katie of the dance studio in the Fargo-Moorhead (ND) area.
I currently stay active with yoga, biking, hiking, aerobics, painting, and gardening. I love transforming spaces, both inside and out, but dancing is still what feeds me most. To be able to create and perform again has filled a void that I hadn't realized was there.
I live in Park Rapids, MN, with my husband, Mark, and we have four adult children and three grandchildren. We love watching birds come and go all year long to our bear-proofed feeder outside our living room window.