The founder of the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint is pushing back hard against the organization’s official account of her departure, telling the Sandpoint Reader that she did not leave voluntarily and describing what she calls a coordinated effort to push her out. Karin Wedemeyer, who built MCS from the ground up over 17 years, said she was placed on a forced leave of absence, had her email access cut off, had pay withheld, and was even subjected to a board member photographing her car.
The MCS Board of Directors announced Wedemeyer’s exit in a press release dated Aug. 26, with board president Frank Geisler framing the transition as “a new chapter” for the organization. Wedemeyer rejects that characterization entirely, describing the circumstances as an involuntary ouster rather than an amicable leadership change.
Adding to the personal sting, Wedemeyer said she was removed as a soprano performer from the upcoming Carmina Burana production at the Panida Theater.
In a statement reported by sandpointreader.com, Wedemeyer addressed what she told the Sandpoint Reader were accusations of insubordination head-on: “I am being accused of being insubordinate! Well yes! I am a fiercely independent woman and am obsessively creative, AND, I am someone who is not afraid to stare down cultural anxiety.”
Beyond MCS, Wedemeyer’s footprint in North Idaho’s arts community runs deep. She also co-founded Bel Canto Opera and the North Idaho Philharmonia, making her departure — however it is ultimately characterized — a significant moment in the region’s cultural landscape.
New Interim Director Steps In
The MCS Board has appointed Kathi Samuels to serve in an interim leadership capacity while the organization charts its next course. Samuels brings substantial credentials to the role: she spent 14 years volunteering with MCS, most recently serving as its development director, and holds a master’s degree in education from Penn State University. Her background also includes three decades of school administration and teaching experience.
Samuels expressed enthusiasm for the position, saying the conservatory has “an unmatched foundation” and that she is motivated to honor what has been built while also looking ahead.
Geisler, who joined the MCS Board in 2024 and became its president in 2025, brings his own extensive background to the governance side. He spent four decades serving on nonprofit boards, including the Carmel Music Society and the Monterey Jazz Festival in California, and previously worked as a chamber of commerce CEO and Rotary member before relocating to the area.
Self-Study Already Underway
The leadership shake-up comes as MCS is in the middle of an institutional review. The board commissioned a self-study through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in 2025, suggesting the organization was already in the midst of evaluating its direction and governance before the conflict with Wedemeyer became public.
The dispute puts a difficult spotlight on one of Sandpoint’s most established arts institutions heading into the fall performance season. Music lovers in the area can still find live entertainment this season — the 33rd Annual Fall Fest at Schweitzer Mountain is bringing music and beer tasting to the mountain, and the Sand Creek Regatta is also approaching, welcoming homemade boat builders and spectators alike.
How the board and Wedemeyer resolve their conflicting accounts — and whether any further details emerge publicly — remains to be seen. For now, Sandpoint’s classical music community is navigating an uncertain transition at the organization that has anchored much of its arts programming for nearly two decades.