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Our Organization Our Story Our Impact Our Supporters Cystic Fibrosis Supportive Literature
The Voice Lesson Program Enrollment Info & Form Meet our Instructors *sINgSPIRE Virtual Choir SVC9: "There's a Mountaintop"
Sing It for CF: A Marathon of Song Backyard Bash at Levitt at the Falls
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About Us

 

Our Vision

Breathe Bravely strives to be a positive voice in the cystic fibrosis community by advocating, educating, and offering our focused expertise in combatting the effects of cystic fibrosis through the science, art, and practice of singing.

We envision a community in which every cystic fibrosis voice can find belonging. 

 

Our Goals

 
 

To help individuals living with CF realize their unique breath potential through education and application of healthful vocal techniques and the foundational mechanics of breathing. 

Click HERE to DONATE today

 

To educate a community on the life-enhancing practice of thoughtful voice use while combating the effects of a progressive disease.

Click HERE for more information on sINgSPIRE.

 

To empower individuals to share their unique voice despite the many barriers that prevent cystic fibrosis individuals from singing

Click here to learn more about our sINgSPIRE virtual choir.

 

To support local and national CF organizations Through advocacy, education, and awareness.

Click HERE to view Our Resources page to learn more about other CF nonprofits.

 

To inspire a community to use their voices to bring about a brighter future for all those impacted by cystic fibrosis

Click here to read testimonials from our students and our impact.

 
 

The Breathe Bravely Team

 
 

Ashley Ballou-Bonnema,
Founder, Executive Director

Ashley Ballou-Bonnema is a professional vocalist from Sioux Falls, SD. She passionately helps individuals find their voice all while serving as the executive director and founder of the nonprofit organization, Breathe Bravely. To read Ashley’s full story and what led her to create Breathe Bravely, click on the button below.

 
 

Elena Goodrow,
Director of Creative Content Development &
Community Connections

Elena is a professional singer/songwriter from northern Georgia where her passion for music is making a memorable impression. Writing music that brings the senses and emotions to life, Elena has an unforgettable way of using her voice as a paint brush and the words and notes as a canvas to create beauty that can not only heard but felt. Playing guitar, ukulele, the harp, Elena’s creativity isn’t limited to just making music. Elena has been and continues to be a strong voice in the cystic fibrosis community. Since the age of five, Elena has been highly involved in CF affiliated organizations - including taking on many leadership and founding roles. As an individual living with cystic fibrosis, Elena also began taking vocal lessons with sINgSPIRE in 2017 - a major turning point in not only her life with CF, but greater.

 

Our Board

 

Maren Engel, President

Professional musician, vocal instructor, and Leadership Engagement at Thrivent Financial

 

Hunter Winklepleck, Treasurer

Bethany Brandon Campus Administrator at Bethany Lutheran Home

 

Jon Benson

Assistant professor of nursing at Augustana University

 
 

Stacy Peters, Vice-President

Clinical Pharmacist at Sanford Children's Specialty Clinic and South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy

 

Sara Crosby, Secretary

Social Justice and Diversity Educator and Advocate

 

Paige Pearson Meyer

Director of Corporate Communications at Midco

 
 

David Missal, Treasurer

Financial Associate at Thrivent

 

Betty Kay Merkle

Independent Performance Artist

 

Kelsie Hansen

Respiratory Therapist at Sanford Children's Hospital

Sue Tower

Retired from US Bank

Robert Fitzsimmons

Midwest Alarm Systems

Paul Tschetter

Attorney for Boyce Law LLP, Sioux Falls, SD