In a world that often measures success by spotlight and applause, The Servant Musician turns the focus outward—to community, connection, and wellbeing. Founded by Erin Wehr, the organization reimagines what it means to be a musician. Here, music isn’t about performance or perfection—it’s about service.
A Song Born from Loss and Purpose
The inspiration behind The Servant Musician comes from deeply personal roots. Wehr, a lifelong educator and musician, describes a series of experiences that reshaped her understanding of music’s purpose—culminating in the creation of this organization.
“The sudden loss of my 9-year-old daughter led me to reflect on what’s truly important,” she shares. “I wanted to remember her through the creation of a music program for good—something that reflects her spirit of helping others and her way of living life through song.”
Years later, an encounter with local musician Tommy Foster and his “FAN Club” in Whitehall became the spark that lit the flame. Wehr was moved by how Foster’s performances wove community and wellbeing into the experience.
“He was demonstrating elements of servant leadership,” she says. “It was clear to me—it was time to create an organization to support this kind of music-making.”
That organization became The Servant Musician.
Music as Service
At its heart, The Servant Musician is grounded in the philosophy of servant leadership, a concept introduced by Robert K. Greenleaf in the 1970s.
“True leaders begin with a desire to serve,” Wehr explains, “to uplift others and meet the needs of their community before seeking to lead.”
For The Servant Musician, that philosophy is expressed through music. Servant musicians don’t perform at others—they engage with others. They use music as a bridge, creating inclusive and uplifting spaces that foster connection and healing.
Each program is built around positive psychology, particularly the PERMA model of wellbeing—Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment—developed by Dr. Martin Seligman. This framework shapes everything the organization does, from ukulele clubs to coaching and mentorship.
Guy Clements leading White Lake Senior Center Strum It club and The Artisan in New Era and The Ladder in Shelby. Image courtesy of Erin Wehr.
“Our programs are designed to nurture joy, connection, and purpose,” Wehr says. “We want every person involved—whether musician or listener—to walk away feeling more connected and uplifted.”
Community in Action
Nowhere is this mission more visible than in the Strum It White Lake Ukulele Club, hosted Sundays at The Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague. What began as a small gathering has grown into a beloved weekly tradition that welcomes participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Penny Rushing at The Book Nook & Java Shop. Photo courtesy of Erin Wehr.
“The Book Nook is a special place,” Wehr notes. “You’ll see kids strumming ukuleles, then playing with puppets or reading books, while adults chat, play, or simply listen. Some members use wheelchairs, some have arthritis, some prefer to knit or paint during the session. It’s not about how well you play—it’s about being part of something that makes you feel good.”
This accessible, adaptable approach is central to The Servant Musician’s philosophy. Programs are held in varied spaces—breweries, libraries, senior centers, and community halls—to meet people where they are. Each venue offers a unique way to reach new audiences and connect diverse groups through the universal language of music.
“Everything about our programs strives to be inclusive,” Wehr says. “We measure success not by skill level, but by the joy of creating together, building relationships, and supporting one another.”
A Ripple of Impact
From Montague to New Era to Shelby, The Servant Musician is steadily expanding its reach. Clubs now meet at North Grove Brewers, The Ladder Community Center, and The Artisan, among others. A pilot program at the Newaygo Medical Care Facility in Fremont is also underway, with plans to extend further across West Michigan in the coming year.
The Servant Musician Diane Vanderstelt (Newaygo Medical Care Facility Fremont). Photo courtesy of Erin Wehr.
While Wehr spends the winter in Atlanta, programs continue to flourish back home. Guy Clements and Naman Vanderstelt II are leading the local groups, ensuring weekly meetups continue at the White Lake Senior Center (Tuesdays 12:30–2:00 PM), North Grove Brewers (Wednesdays 5:30–6:30 PM), and The Artisan in New Era (Thursdays 5:30–6:30 PM). The Strum It White Lake Ukulele Club still meets Sundays at The Book Nook from 1:00–2:00 PM.
The Servant Musician has also expanded programming, bringing The Servant Musician’s mission to preschools and continuing her work in senior care facilities. A new pilot program at The Ladder Community Center in Shelby is underway as well.
Impact is measured both through participant feedback and through moments of transformation. Wehr recalls stories of people who arrived intending only to watch, only to find themselves strumming and singing along minutes later.
“Often, someone will say, ‘I was having a hard day, and this lifted me up,’” she shares. “That’s impact. That’s what we’re here for.”
A Vision for the Future
As The Servant Musician grows, Wehr hopes to make West Michigan her full-time home again.
As The Servant Musician grows, Wehr is eager to expand the organization’s presence across West Michigan and continue developing programs that blend music, wellbeing, and community connection. She’s also seeking opportunities to collaborate with individuals and organizations interested in positive psychology, coaching for creative projects, presentation and performance development, team growth, and leadership development.
Looking ahead, Wehr envisions The Servant Musician as a model for how music can serve society—not just entertain it.
“We want musicians to be seen as community members with the power to transform,” she says. “It’s not about prestige or perfection. It’s about people coming together, using music to connect, heal, and grow.”
Her hope for the next five years is simple yet profound:
“A place where anyone and everyone needing a friend can find one.”
Get Involved
Whether you’re a musician looking for purpose-driven engagement, a community organization seeking partnership, or simply someone who loves the joy of shared music, The Servant Musician welcomes you.
📧 Email: theservantmusician@gmail.com
🌐 Website: www.theservantmusician.com
Join a Local Club:
- Strum It White Lake Ukulele Club – The Book Nook & Java Shop, Montague | Sundays 1–2 PM
- Guitar & Ukulele Club – White Lake Senior Center, Montague | Tuesdays 12:30–2 PM
- Strum It White Lake Guitar Club – North Grove Brewers, Montague | Wednesdays 5:30–6:30 PM
- Strum It New Era Guitar Club – The Artisan, New Era | Thursdays 5:30–6:30 PM
- Guitar & Ukulele Club – The Ladder Community Center, Shelby | 1st–3rd Fridays 10 AM–12 PM
About the Team
Led by Founder and Director Erin Wehr, The Servant Musician brings together a team of servant leaders dedicated to wellbeing through music:
- Penny Rushing – Strum It! Coach, White Lake Ukulele Club
- Guy Clements – Oceana County Programs Director
- Naman Vanderstelt II – Echoes & Embers Program Coach
- Mike Maksimchuk – President
- Leslie Salter – Secretary
- Cheyney Rushing – Treasurer
- Susan Brufladt – Board Member
- John Hanson – Board Member
- Mike Cook – Board Member
Each contributes their unique strengths and heart to a growing movement where music truly serves the soul.
Picture above is members of the ukulele/guitar clubs who often run into each other out listening to live music. Image courtesy of Erin Wehr.
