Unity North Spiritual Center 35th Birthday Celebration

"THREE"

Presented by Lori Dokken

“Three” is the seismic combination of local Twin Cities’ musicians - Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder and Lori Dokken. These three artists have not only been friends for many years but have also been colleagues in a diverse array of musical groups and productions. 

“Three” brings together a triad of diverse voices that are skilled in multiple styles and genres and the end product is an incredible performance that unites them into a singular sound - rich in color, character, confidence and the sonic seasoning of experience. Three represents so many things … past, present and future … beginning, middle and end … body, mind and soul … Judi, Rachel and Lori. The experience of hearing and seeing them in action is not to be missed!

Lori Dokken - Music Director/Pianist/Vocalist

Over the past four decades, Lori has performed at every major venue in the Twin Cities from The Dakota to The Guthrie to The Ordway. A sought after accompanist, she is also a successful concert producer, educator, vocal coach, arranger, and vocalist.

Currently the Music Director at Unity Minneapolis, she has also been the MD for everything from ensembles at McNally Smith College of Music to acts at the Bryant Lake Bowl and recently was the Music Director for Disenchanted during its successful run at The Illusion Theatre in November 2014.

She has produced headline shows for cruise ships as well as local cabaret acts and has opened for legends like Eartha Kitt, Carole King and Tony Bennett. Lori has sung backups for Kenny Loggins and shared the stage with Beatrice Arthur. Her diverse production credits include sold out shows at The Hopkin's Center for the Arts, The Dakota Jazz Club, The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre and many local concert venues.

She partnered with The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to produce “Painting Joni” - a concert featuring the music of Joni Mitchell for which she was also the Musical Director, Arranger and one of the featured performers. She was the Entertainment Producer for five years for an HIV/AIDS fund raiser called "Healing of the Hearts" which netted over $500,000 in proceeds for The Aliveness Project and also founded and produced a charity golf tournament for ten years that raised close to $250,000 for One Heartland.  

Rachel Holder

I’m a singer based in the Twin Cities, and even after 20+ years working in the music industry, I’m still fascinated that I’ve managed to sustain a career that consists of singing songs with my friends. I was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and I spent my childhood singing. I was in every choir, I auditioned for every musical, and I entered every singing competition I could find. I moved to the Twin Cities to study music performance with no assumption or assurance that a professional life in music was actually possible.

I went to MusicTech, which later became McNally Smith College of Music. I often say this is the place where I learned everything and met everyone, which sounds like hyperbole, but holds a reasonable amount of truth. I spent those formative years going to multiple shows a week (often multiple shows a night) watching my teachers perform. I said yes to every single gig I was offered, and boy do I have some stories! I grew up loving jazz, but learned quickly that being versatile is way more fun. I love it all, I’ve sung it all. 

I’m a mom of two extraordinary daughters. Every day they teach me the most important things about life: humility, patience, integrity, honesty, kindness, deep love and presence. How we spend our time and who we spend it with matters so much. I’m so honored to spend my life with my family and making music with my friends. It’s a complete joy.

Judi Vinar

Judi Vinar is a celebrated singer, songwriter, director, arranger, voice teacher, and longtime collaborator with Circlesongs pioneer Bobby McFerrin https://circlesongs.com.

Raised in Pop Music and trained in Classical, Judi now tackles just about any style. In 1987, she moved to Minneapolis and developed long term musical relationships with many of the Twin Cities finest: Lori Dokken, The Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra, St. Croix Jazz Orchestra, JazzMN Big Band, The Girls, Pat Donohue, Dean MaGraw, Three, and her own Judi, Cliff ‘n’ Daves.

In 1997, Judi began working with singer extraordinaire Bobby McFerrin, touring with his a cappella groups “Voicestra” in 2001-2008, and "Gimme5" 2018 - 2023. 

After 30 years of focusing just on singing, Judi revived her love for the guitar and now plays/sings for a number of worship communities and club venues in the Twin Cities.