Our Mission
We believe music is the heartbeat of a thriving community.
SoundBridge Foundation functions to support our cultural landscape by championing original music, investing in independent artists, and cultivating inclusive spaces where creative work can thrive.
Why It Matters
The arts aren’t just good for the soul — they’re good for the city.
According to Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study (2023), every dollar invested in the arts generates roughly ten dollars in local economic activity through restaurants, retail, and hospitality spending.
When we invest in music, we invest in Main Street.
What We Do
Artist Support: Paid performance opportunities and professional development for working musicians.
Community Events: Free, inclusive gatherings like Toast to Taylor Street and Lyrics Unleashed that bring people together through live music.
Collaborations: Partnerships with local venues, businesses, and city programs such as the Sound Check grant initiative.
Advocacy & Education: Promoting fair compensation and sustainable practices for the local arts ecosystem.
Our Impact
Over 200 paid artist performances supported each season.
Downtown revitalization through music-driven events.
Civic collaboration between nonprofits, local government, and small businesses.
Cultural connection that makes Champaign-Urbana a destination for creativity and community.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a business owner, a music lover, or an artist yourself — there’s a place for you in this work.
Donate: Help fund artist pay and event production.
Partner: Bring live music to your venue or event.
Volunteer: Support the behind-the-scenes efforts that make it all possible.
BOARD MEMBERS
Executive Director
Kayla Brown is the Executive Director of SoundBridge Foundation and founder of Fire Doll Studio, a creative retail shop and event space in downtown Champaign. A musician and songwriter for over 25 years, Kayla brings an artist-first perspective to community organizing, focusing on equitable access, artist support, and programming that fosters connection and cultural vitality.
Kayla Brown
MIKE INGRAM
Treasurer
Secretary
Ryan Groff has been a musician and private music teacher and mentor since moving here in 2005. His long time band, Elsinore, made multiple albums and toured the country for a bit, but was frozen in place by the pandemic. He then joined forces with some of his closest CU pals to form Modern Drugs in August 2020. He continues to aggressively make original power pop with them and teach about 60 private lessons a week in addition to engineering and producing with lots of people in his studio, Perennial Sound Studio.
RYAN GROFF
Board Member
Mallory is the co-owner of Before Brand, a creative consultancy based in Champaign, IL. She focuses on brand strategy, designing visual identities, print and web design, as well as UI/UX design for mobile apps. Outside of work, she sings and plays guitar in Modern Drugs — proving she can handle both PowerPoint decks and power chords.
MALLORY SIMONDS
Board Member
Dylan is the other half of Before Brand, along with his better half, Mallory. He got his career started doing merchandise design for bands and record labels, while co-running a screen printing shop out of a basement. That led to him working for multiple ad agencies, before starting a business with his wife. He is also a motion designer and video editor who works on music videos for local bands.
DYLAN SIMONDS
Pete Shungu
Board Member
Bob Andrews
Board Member
Bob grew up in Nashville and got his start in the music business in the early 90s when he stumbled into a job as tour manager for Uncle Tupelo through a friend’s recommendation and worked with the band until their final show in 1994. He continued as tour manager for Wilco during the recording and touring of their debut album in 1995. Needing a break from constant touring, he co-founded Undertow in 1996, a DIY record label and artist management collective. In the early 2000s, Bob and his family moved to Champaign, IL, where they’re living happily ever after.
Board Member
Jayne Ballantyne
Barry Daniels (M.A.G.)
Board Member
Alan Honeycutt
Board Member
Board Member
Keith has been a musician and a live sound engineer in Central Illinois for 20+ years. He is a staunch supporter of local business and loves the Champaign-Urbana community more than anywhere else. Having mixed shows on the streets of Chicago to the Krannert Center Foellinger Great Hall, and all venue sizes imaginable, his knowledge is extensive and his experience invaluable.
Keith Norton
Board Member
Hunter James Wiseley is a SoundBridge Foundation board member fueled by his passion for his family, film photography, music, and creative community. Drawing from his film lab leadership and visual marketing work, he advocates for accessible art, education, and resources for emerging artists. When not experimenting with film or mixing music, he's spending time with his wife and step kids or capturing stories that celebrate social justice.